In my opinion, good writing is difficult to define. So instead of actually “defining” it, I will attempt to describe it.

Good writing above all should have a purpose. This is a necessity. You do not want to be rambling on about who knows what without some purpose behind it. If writing has no purpose, it is most likely not worth reading.

Also, good writing needs to be organized properly. You should have a central point that is clearly stated early in the writing. Following that, the point should be elaborated on and supported by using details to back it up. Everything needs to relate and have good structure. Your writing should flow well and be easy to read. Do not jump back and forth in your writing or change your stance, this will inevitably confuse the reader.

Using the proper grammar and punctuation is imperative for good writing. Misspelling even one or two words will ruin your credibility to the reader. Always use spell check to find misspellings and read over the paper several times to find run on sentences and other errors. It is also good to get someone who is competent to read over your paper and critique it.

I believe most of my writing is good overall. I don’t always have a good purpose for my writing, but this is not always my fault (prompts). Luckily, if a teacher gives me a prompt without a good purpose, they are forced to read it anyway! If I have a good prompt to write about I believe that I can create good writing. I have decent structure to my writing because I try to word and organize a paper to flow properly. I do not think any of my writing is difficult to read or understand. I always use spell check in my writings but I rarely get anyone to proofread my work unless it is a really important assignment. This isn’t a huge deal because I can read through and catch most of my mistakes. I am not perfect by an means. I will also never be publishing anything.

Edgar Allan Poe, in my opinion, is a good writer. His stories have a good purpose, to entertain and thrill the reader. His writings keep you interested and overwhelmed with suspense. Poe’s stories flow very well and are not at all difficult to follow. The only problem with his works are the language. The language is sometimes hard to understand because it was writing in the 1800s. If you overcome the language barrier then his stories are amazing!

This quote from The Pit and the Pendulum is a classic example of his writing style and use of language.

“Arousing from the most profound of slumbers, we break the gossamer web of some dream. Yet in a second afterward, (so frail may that web have been) we remember not that we have dreamed,”

Poe has such a unique style of writing. It’s hard not to enjoy it.