what constitutes good writing?

Answer 1

It's a question of taste, but generally:

a) Good writing is precise. Good authors know the words they're using and their exact meaning. They also pour over their manuscripts again and again until it says exactly what they want it to say.
b) Good writing is concise. Apart from some rare cases (novels with long descriptions, for example), good writing should be able to convey meaning in as few words as possible. If you take 500 words to say something that could be said in 100 words, chances are your writing is awkward.
c) Good writing is not repetitive. Vocabulary should be varied, but, also, information should not be uselessly repeated, unless you're intentionally trying to create an effect.
d) Good writing is well organized. Paragraphs don't stray far from a subject and you get a feel all sentences in the paragraph belong there.

There are other rules of thumbs, but I can't really think of others right now.

Answer 2

Nobody has given a wrong answer here. The thing is, writing is much like any other art - it's in the eyes of the beholder. Writing a memo for work, writing a technical manual, writing a poem, writing a review of a restaurant, writing a novel, writing an editorial for a newspaper, writing an essay on a specific topic using a specific amount of words... all of these require different styles and approaches to be considered "good." I could say that proper spelling, punctuation and grammar are critical... however, there are some more poetic forms of writing where the rules are broken for artistic purposes.

Answer 3

Well, it depends on what you'll write.

Universally, I'd consider a writing good if it opens with a statement, and then it expands the original ideas, and finishes with a closing statement, all nicely spelt, and following the rules of grammar.

But above all, put your heart into it. That will make your writing glow and excell.

Best Regards.

Answer 4

good writing can mean several thiings

1. that you understand what the writer means, maybe in a way you wouldn't have before

2. that others enjoy reading what i've written

and /or 3. that people who've read a little wish I'd kept on writing... they want to know what happens next.

and more, I'm sure we'll see

Answer 5

Simple words, minimum told to convey maximum, a start which attracts to go through the whole, an end which makes others feel that everything has been told. That is, a fulfilment after reading.
VR

Answer 6

I think that it's understandable, but doesn't necessarily have to be easy to follow (ie stream of consciousness). Most importantly I think the reader has to be able to relate/desire/dislike etc. not necessarily to the exact experiences but to the emotions. This is a difficult question truly and my response is only the tip of the iceberg.

Answer 7

It must be readable, it must contain exacting language and the subject matter must relate to the tastes of an audience consisting of all ages.