Characteristics of effective academic writing

¶ … leaves a remarkable impression on a reader's mind and can transform the dullest subject into a work of art. For example, a solid technical writer can turn a manual into a masterpiece, explaining the features of a DVD player so that even an 80-year-old novice can understand how to use the equipment. Good poets weave words in novel ways to evoke emotional responses in readers, and good novelists create characters so lifelike, we care about them as if they were our own friends and family. Writing about current events or politics demands carefully crafted opinions and well-formulated logic that persuades and entertains at the same time. Finally, good writers actually write. They acknowledge that productivity is often more important than perfection.

Good writing is more than perfect grammar, although any writer must master at least the basics of grammatical structure and style. The rules of grammar ensure clarity, as a misplaced modifier can entirely change the meaning of a sentence. Big words can be fun to use but writers who wield them willy-nilly come across as amateurish. Punchy phrasing using powerful yet recognizable words ensures brevity, which can be a writer's best friend. Writers, especially those who specialize in non-fiction, must also remember to organize their thoughts and stop assuming that their readers are on the same page as they are.