The Four Principles of Good Writing

Use these powerful tactics to become a better writer.

Image by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Writing is beautiful, but it can also be intimidating. I often feel anxious when I write, and I am sure I am not alone: apprehension about writing is very common, especially among amateur writers.

Having some level of anxiety associated with writing is normal and means that you care about writing well. In excessive quantities, however, stress can be an obstacle and may cause writer’s block.

The writing process doesn’t have to be frightening. If you feel unsure about the quality of your work, try new tactics to improve your writing skills.

According to Shani Raja — a former editor for the Wall Street Journal — there are a few practical techniques writers can use to write better. The secret to becoming an exceptional writer, he says, boils down to four principles: Simplicity, clarity, elegance, and evocativeness.

Simplicity

Simplicity is a key ingredient to make your prose impactful, and there are many things you can do to simplify your language and create writing that is tight — in other words, writing in which all points are expressed efficiently.

First, avoid using fancy language, at least without a purpose. If your word choice is…