WRITING SKILLS

BY

DALTON ODOMOCH (Adv)

FACULTY OF LAW, KABALE UNIVERSITY

STYLE AND COMMUNICATION

We are interested in clearly communicating our thoughts. In academic writing,
we are not talking about sounding intelligent but rather getting your intelligent
points across.
Effective writing style depends on a combination of the following.
a. Audience
b. Type of writing
c. Punctuation
d. Word choice
e. Sentence construction
f. Overall presentation.

Active voice
Writing style is usually improved by using the active voice instead of the passive
voice. Using the active voice leads to more concise and direct sentences.
Example:

Passive: The truck was overloaded by the workmen.

Active: The workmen overloaded the truck.

➢ The passive voice tends to hide the subject.

However, there are few instances when the passive is better: -when you wish
to draw attention to the doer, use Passive voice and when you want to focus on
the action, you use Active Voice.

For example: “He was murdered” is stronger than “somebody murdered him”
when trying to emphasize the manner of death met by the deceased.
Note: While active voice is predominantly preferred for its directness and energy,
passive voice has its unique advantages:
a) adding depth,
b) suspense, and
c) subtlety to the narrative.

✓ The choice between Active voice and Passive Voice should be dictated by
the context, ensuring that the voice enhances the story and enriches the
reader's experience.
Audience
Writers will adjust their style depending on the audience and the type of
writing. A textbook is different from a novel. In textbooks, writers rely on facts
and provide statements while in polemics (the practice of using contentious
rhetoric to support a position and undermine an opposing one. It can also refer
to the art of controversy and disputation) i t is in the use of language that can
convince.
In literature it is the use of images and figurative language.

Conciseness

Concise writing means that one comes quickly to the point. It is avoidance
of wordiness and unnecessary repetition that adds nothing to meaning.
Unnecessary words; example of a wordy sentence; because the watch is
inexpensive, he bought it. Concise manner; he bought the watch because it was
cheap.
Repetition; where the writer uses two words which mean the same eg.
a. All our hopes and dreams were fulfilled when
b. First and foremost, I would like…
c. Null and void
d. Terms and conditions

Sometimes many words are used for one e.g.

“Due to the fact that…” “in light of the fact that….” “On the grounds...”
All these can be replaced by “because” or “since”

Sometimes there is the use of inelegant expressions e.g.

a. Not different instead of similar
b. Not the same instead of different
c. Not allowed instead of prevent
d. Not admit instead of deny.
Further, wordiness is often a sign of a lazy writer or one pressed for time. It also
denotes any unclear thought process or uncertainty about the topic or lack of
a developed argument.
If you are not sure of what to say, you may actually have trouble saying it.
Concise writing is important because it saves the reader’s time in
understanding what the writer
wants to convey. It is more elegant and makes understanding easier.
Punctuation
Writing style is influenced by punctuation.
The writer should wisely use punctuation to achieve the intended
effect. Punctuation when used poorly could confuse the reader.

Simplicity;
Choice of words; in writing, using the simpler, more common word over the
less known word is preferable.
The drafter must find the right word or the best word. However, the question
is what is right or best.
If there is a choice between a long word or a short word and a common word,
the short or common should be preferred.
Good dictionaries and other word books should always be consulted by the
writer.
The drafter should be satisfied that the sense in which he or she intends to use
the word is current and is recognized by authoritative dictionaries.
Words do change in meaning but the drafter should not innovate the changes
and he or she should not revive the obsolete or rejuvenate the archaic.
Technical terms may be used in technical statutes e.g. domicile, tenant,
habeas corpus, testator, testatrix, executor, executrix, etc.
When properly used, these words have specific meanings and would avoid
ambiguity.

Use specific and concrete words;

The writer who uses vague and fuzzy language may leave the reader confused
or bored.
Using concrete words over abstract concepts may help the reader interpret the
writer’s intentions
more accurately.
Avoid words like “last year” and write in “2018”
Until recently, write until the late 1990’s or mention the specific year.

TYPES OF WRITING
The type of writing dictates the writing style. Most writings can be broken down
into 5 types:
a. Exposition; this is where the purpose of the author is to inform,
explain, describe or define his or her subject to the reader.
b. Narration; storytelling as found in short stories, novels and
personal accounts.
c. Argumentation/Persuasive; the writer tries to persuade the
reader to agree to a new belief or to take a new course of action.
i. Argumentation is also called persuasive writing like
submissions to court.
d. Description; the writer uses sensory details to show the reader
what is being written about. It involves the use of figurative
language.
e. Creative; encompassing imaginative and sometimes wild and
make-believe writing.

According to BIT.ai; a powerful, new-age document collaboration platform where

one can easily create, access, share, and manage all legal and other types of
documents; the common types of writing are:

1. Descriptive Writing
People often assume that descriptive writing is about using fancy and flowery
phrases. However, strong descriptive writing is much more than that.
Descriptive writing provides details about things such as an event, a setting, or
a group of characters. More often than not, these writings are personal, short,
and subjective.
The main goal of descriptive writing is to make the readers feel like they’re
experiencing everything in the storyline themselves. For that, you need to
provide a vivid image of the story to the readers.
You can use this writing style to set the scene and add some spice to your
writing. However, make sure that you don’t end up overusing it.
2. Persuasive Writing
Let’s say you want to write a book about the significance of eating green
vegetables. One way to convince people to adopt this idea is by using
a persuasive writing style.
Persuasive writing is used to convince the readers to believe in an idea (and
implement it). This writing style is grounded in logical reasoning and works well
for appealing to the reader on an emotional level.
This writing style is usually used in advertisements, reviews, recommendation
letters, cover letters, company brochures, business proposals, and opinion
columns.
You can also use it to gain support for a noble cause, such as using
environmental-friendly products or updating obsolete company policies.

3. Narrative Writing
It is very easy to bore a reader with facts, figures, and examples that they can’t
relate to. That’s where narrative writing comes in. You might find it in novels,
biographies, poems, memoirs, and more.
Narrative writing is all about stories, connecting facts, teaching without
explaining, and helping readers relate to the content. It often has a very clear
beginning, middle, and end.
Occasionally, writers also use flashbacks and foreshadowing as tools to engage
with the audience, while some even use characters and dialogues to tell the
story.
All in all, narrative writing is great for keeping the audience hooked till the
end. After all, we all love stories and we’re hard-wired to pay attention to them.

4. Expository Writing
Expository writing gives the readers important information and instructions
about a topic. It’s entirely based on facts and doesn’t include a writer’s
personal opinions on the subject.
You can find this writing style in textbooks, newsletters, educational articles,
business/technical/scientific writing, recipes, newsletters, and more.
As expository writing is all about facts and figures, it does not always make the
best hook. However, as they say, there are exceptions to every rule.
For instance, if you begin your write-up with a shocking stat, it is bound to
grab a reader’s attention. You can even use it along with persuasive and
narrative writing, adding the power of logic to your stories.

5. Review Writing
This writing style aids the reader in deciding whether they should invest in a
product/experience or not. It involves both subjective and objective thoughts in
order to relay the authors’ experience.
Review writing doesn’t always include persuasive writing, as the reader might
or might not recommend the subject matter for both factual and personal
reasons.
Reviews could be about anything – be it books, food, movies, video games, theme
park experiences, toys, restaurants, places, or even a movie character.
However, no matter what you’re reviewing, make sure that you describe the
physical flaws (example: low-quality plastic), perks (example: easy to set up),
and experiential opinions (example: a breathtaking view).

6. Technical Writing
Most of us don’t have the time to scour highly technical and scientific
writings (instructional manuals, white papers, scientific papers) to get the
information that we need.
Well, technical writing is here to save the day! It takes complex technical and
scientific content – and simplifies it for the average reader. The purpose is to
communicate knowledge and instructions in the easiest way possible.
You can use technical writing to educate your employees on how to conduct
safety procedures, or to break down the research data into accessible text.
You can also use this writing style to teach consumers how to assemble a
product, or to explain the complex product features to them. The use-cases are
endless!

7. Objective Writing
The word ‘objective’ describes something that’s purely factual and not
influenced by personal feelings. So, objective writing is something that can be
verified through facts and evidence.
In objective writing, the author is supposed to remain neutral and unbiased
and let the readers form their own opinions. In short, objective writing means
sticking to facts instead of opinions.
This writing style tends to lack vagueness and is very to-the-point. For example,
rather than ‘almost everyone voted for her’, it will be ‘83% of the residents voted
for her’.
Another important thing that you need to keep in mind here is: try not to over-
exaggerate your writing. Don’t use words like ‘always’, ‘never’, ‘really’, or ‘very’.
They can make your writing appear weak.

8. Subjective Writing
Subjective writing is opinion-driven writing. It expresses feelings, opinions,
beliefs, perspectives, and judgments – and lacks factual statements and
evidence. Hence, it can’t be verified.
Subjective writing originates from the personal experience and observation of
the writer, and it gives the reader an insight into the author’s thinking process.
This writing style often makes the readers feel like someone’s speaking to them
personally. The words “I’, “you”, “us’, and “we are added throughout each line.
You can find subjective writing in personal journals, blogs, speeches during
informal events, literary work such as poems and stories, social media posts,
and more.

9. Solid Tips to Improve Your Writing Style

Now, let’s learn a few tips you can follow to improve your writing style and make
sure that you’re sending a clear (and accurate) message that the readers can
comprehend.

1. Be Direct
Do you know what are the two key aspects of good writing? Clarity and
conciseness. Filler words, prepositional phrases, unnecessary adverbs…they
simply take up space and weigh down the sentence.
So, a good rule of thumb is to say exactly what you mean in a direct,
straightforward way. This will make it super easy for readers to engage with
your ideas or your stories.

2. Use a Conversational Tone

Always write like a human, not a robot. Express the ideas with your own unique
voice and try to avoid clichés. Your writing style should always reflect your
personality.
Use the same tone that you do when you’re speaking, and modify it a little
according to what you’re writing. This means, use simple sentences, easy
structures, and natural phrases that a reader can easily grasp.

3. Choose Your Words Wisely

There’s an assumption that rich vocabulary makes you a better writer, but it
couldn’t be further from the truth. You should choose words and vocabulary
that are appropriate for your audience.
Always remember that you’re writing for people, and if someone needs to look
up the meaning of a word before they read further, you are very likely to lose
them.

4. Avoid Using Passive Voice

Every writer has heard this advice – use active voice and stick to the good
old subject-verb-object structure. Why? Because passive voice creates complex
sentences and is not a good way of delivering information.
Moreover, in active voice, the subject is doing something. This is certainly more
appealing than the passive voice, where something is being done to the subject.

5. Keep Your Sentences Short

A wonderful way to make your writing better is by limiting the use of long
sentences. Short sentences are way easier to understand – something that
readers always appreciate!
So, avoid packing too much information into one line and make sure that every
sentence conveys one thought or idea. The easiest approach is to break up a
long sentence into two or more short sentences.

Conclusion:
Having a clear understanding of all the different types of writing styles is
essential. After all, the way you write expresses who you are and what message
you are trying to put across.
Each writing style has its time and place, so make sure that you learn the nitty-
gritty of all the writing styles before using them. Knowing when and how to
implement a writing style can raise the value of your work.

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Writing styles:1

11. What are the different types of writing styles?

There are several writing styles, but some of the most common include:
• Expository: This style aims to explain or inform the reader about a
specific topic. Textbooks, articles, and instruction manuals are all
examples of expository writing.
• Persuasive: This style tries to convince the reader of a particular
viewpoint or opinion. It often uses evidence and strong arguments to
support its claims. Editorials, opinion pieces, and advertisements are
examples of persuasive writing.
• Narrative: This style tells a story. It focuses on characters, plot, setting,
and conflict. Novels, short stories, and personal essays can all be written
in a narrative style.
• Descriptive: This style uses vivid language to create a mental picture for
the reader. It focuses on sensory details like sight, sound, smell, taste,
and touch. Travel writing, product descriptions, and some parts of fiction
use descriptive language.

1 https://blog.bit.ai/types-of-writing-styles/
 • Creative: This is a broad category that encompasses various forms of
imaginative writing, like fiction (novels, poems, plays), creative non-fiction
(essays, memoirs), and scripts.

2. How do I choose the right writing style?

The best writing style depends on your purpose.
• If you want to inform your reader, use an expository style.
• If you want to persuade them, use a persuasive style.
• If you want to tell a story, use a narrative style.
• If you want to create a sensory experience, use a descriptive style.
• If you want to express yourself creatively, explore creative writing styles.

3. Can I use multiple writing styles in one piece of writing?

Absolutely! Most writing combines different styles to achieve its goals. For
instance, a persuasive essay might include a narrative anecdote to illustrate a
point, or a descriptive passage might be used within an expository text to explain
a complex idea.

4. Where can I learn more about specific writing styles?

There are many resources available online and in libraries to help you learn
more about specific writing styles. You can find writing guides, textbooks, and
online articles that offer in-depth explanations and examples.

5. Are there any online tools that can help me improve my writing
style?
Yes, there are several online tools and grammar checkers that can help you
improve your writing style. These tools can identify areas for improvement, such
as grammar errors, sentence structure, and clarity.

6. How can I develop my own unique writing style?

Developing your unique style takes time and practice. Read widely in genres you
enjoy, experiment with different styles, and find your voice. Pay attention to the
writers you admire and analyze what makes their writing work.

7. What are some good examples of different writing styles?

• Expository: A science textbook explaining the life cycle of a butterfly.
• Persuasive: A speech advocating for climate change action.
• Narrative: A short story about a child’s first day of school.
• Descriptive: A poem that vividly portrays a walk through a forest.
• Creative: A science fiction novel set on a distant planet.

8. Is there a “best” writing style?

There’s no single “best” writing style. The most effective style depends on your
purpose, audience, and the specific content you’re creating. The key is to choose
the style that best helps you achieve your writing goals.