WRITING LESSON: Characteristics of effective writing

Strong Lead
-- grabs your attention, pulls you in, hooks you
-- unique/original/unexpected phrasing/topic
-- makes you want to read it to find out or know more
-- gives a direction (focus) to the writing

Focused, Well-Developed Idea with Interest/Appeal to the Writer
-- knowledge of topic thorough
-- committed/passionate/honest/authentic voice in creating feeling/emotion/ideas/opinions

Interest/Appeal to the Reader
-- reader can relate to/identify with thoughts/feelings/experiences
-- hook (makes you think, learn, question, or feel something
-- an insight/understanding/feeling stays with you even when finished

Word Choice
-- original/creative/unique/sophisticated/simple/clear choice of words
-- sensible use of FAST words
-- sounds natural, not stiff or contrived, as if the writer is talking to the reader (but not using the words of informal talking – dude, yo, etc)
-- use of strongest nouns and verbs
-- sense of natural metaphors and use of repetition
-- title thought out/crafted with intent to capture a reader, convey the essence of the writing

Sentence Fluency
-- intentional use of short, ‘rambling’ (periodic or loose), or even fragmented sentences (one per essay – and please identify it)
-- good variety of sentence lengths
-- steady pace and rhythm that appeals to the ear
-- choice of sentence structures conveys the mood and voice all the way through

Organization
-- clear beginning, middle, end
-- follows proper sentence formulas (4 and 11 sentences)
-- smooth transitions between chunks and paragraphs

Strong Ending
-- good sense of closure, but you want to read it again
-- unexpected (leaves you thinking, wondering, feeling, knowing, etc)

Conventions
-- spelling, punctuation, structure of sentences