Is one of the prerequisites of writing well is to know how to write badly?

Question

Ah! Philosophy! enjoy!

Answer 1

I would say that a prerequisite is being able to distinguish good writing from bad writing.

Even if you do not know how to PRODUCE good writing or bad writing, if you can tell the difference between the two, you will soon learn.

And likewise, if you know bad writing when you see it you have no need to know how to produce bad writing... you just have to make sure you pay attention to what you're doing so you can stop when your writing takes that kind of wrong turn.

Answer 2

I don't agree at all.
I think if you write badly, you have a hard time recognizing quality writing.
But then again, who's to judge what writing is truly "quality"?
Theres some more philosophy for you, you're just going to need to find some people that like it, quality schmality.

Answer 3

I think it would be better to say that one of the prerequisites of writing well is to be able to recognize bad writing. If you try to write badly, you can develop a habit of doing it. We humans are creatures of habit, and repetition ingrains itself in our minds. Just as you will become a better writer by trying to write well, you will become a worse writer by trying to write poorly.

Answer 4

i would say no, many people write very well without ever having written badly, or even knowing what bad writing is all about
more important, is to know your audience, for most writings, and knowing how to address that audience in a way they can hear

Answer 5

Only insofar as it is part of the learning process, and that you necessarily improve with practice. Not as a skill in itself. Sounds like a reversal of Picassos assertion that you have to know how to paint well to then paint like a child, except less logical.

Answer 6

Not exactly.

It's good to know common writing mistakes and how to avoid them.

Answer 7

Yes, I think it is because we all learn from our mistakes and if we know how to avoid those mistakes than we are better at what we are attempting to achieve.

Answer 8

Well, definitely knowing what not to do narrows down your choices of what to do thereby making what to do and easier decision.