Elements of Effective Writing
Every act of writing is done in response to a particular purpose, or rhetorical situation. Different kinds of writing emphasize different rhetorical situations. Different rhetorical situations call for different kinds of writing. The major rhetorical situations and the kinds of writing they call for are:
- To Describe or Narrate ---> Expressive (writer-centered)
- To Inform ---> Expository (reader-centered)
- To Argue (for or against) ---> Argumentative (topic-centered)
- To Persuade ---> Persuasive (desired-result-centered)
- To Entertain ---> Artistic (writing-for-its-own-sake-centered)
- To Celebrate or Eulogize ---> Laudatory (lasting-impression-centered)
Purpose
Ask yourself the following questions about your writing:
- What is my reason for writing?
- What should my writing tone be? What writing style should I use?
- What are the requirements attached to this writing assignment?
- What are my strengths and weaknesses? How can I address them in this writing?
- How much information is necessary for this piece of writing?
- How much time will be necessary for editing and revising?
Occasion
- What is the occasion for this writing?
- Does this occasion call for a particular tone or style of writing?
- Does this occasion call for a particular format or length of writing?
- How can I successfully meet these expectations?
Audience
- Who am I writing for, or to, and what are their needs?
- Does my audience have any knowledge of my topic?
- If yes, how much? If no, what do I need to tell them?
- Can my audience understand what I have to say?
- How can I address the needs of my audience and the requirements of the assignment in my writing?
- Does my audience require a special tone or style? Special language?
Topic
- What do I know about this topic?
- Will I need to do further research? Will I need to do library research?
- What do I need or want to learn about this topic?
- What have I already written or read about this topic?
- What does my audience know about this topic?
- What does my audience need or want to know about this topic?
- What audience needs and assignment requirements are related to this topic?