of my students had learned English writing in school. In their classes, they
had been taught an academic style of writing that emphasized complex
sentences, complex vocabulary, and the passive voice.
Both teachers and students use this style of writing in an attempt to sound
intellectual. The truth is, however, that most academic writing is terrible.
Academic journals, for example, are filled with convoluted sentences that
seem designed to be as confusing as possible. Students, influenced by their
professors, attempt to model this kind of writing. As my San Francisco
class showed, the results are typically disastrous.
Write Like Hemingway
In contrast to academics, Nobel prize-winning writer Ernest Hemingway
was famous for his simple, direct style of writing. Hemingway typically
used short sentences, simple phrases, and common vocabulary to create
beautiful and powerful stories.
Though you are unlikely to write as well as Hemingway, his general style
of writing is the best one to use. Most English learners write badly because
they make their writing overly complex. They are trying to sound
“intellectual” but instead end up sounding unintelligible. The solution is to
write more conversationally. In other words, write like you speak.
Conversational writing is similar to (though not exactly the same) as
speaking. When you speak English, you likely use clear, simple, direct
sentences. You express your ideas as simply as possible.
Short, direct sentences are best. Break long sentences into a series of
short, simple sentences. In most cases, use the active voice rather than the
passive. Model your writing on journalists and Hemingway rather than on
professors, journal articles, or other academic material.
Good writing is a process of cutting and simplifying. Your goal,
therefore, is to communicate your ideas using as few words as possible. The
simpler you make your writing, the more clear and powerful it will be.
