What is a writing convention?
Whether students are in elementary school or high school, they often take a class or have a teacher-led workshop on writing conventions. Good writers follow these rules, which students should learn early on. Conventions define the voice, the aesthetic, and the structure of a piece of writing. They aid in establishing cohesion in your writing and facilitating comprehension for the reader.
It is customary in English, for instance, for sentences to start with a capital letter and end with a period. Correct language and spelling, as well as proper citation of sources, are also expected. Conventions in academic writing may involve employing a predetermined citation style (such as APA or MLA) and a predetermined layout (for things like headings, margins, and page numbers).
Writing styles change with the audience and function of each piece. For instance, academic writings and professional reports are more likely to follow certain conventions than text messages and social media posts. Writing conventions are necessary for efficient communication and for the writing to be regarded seriously and appreciated, no matter the setting.
Main Writing Conventions
Conventions in writing are the norms that writers are expected to follow while writing in a given language or field. The following are writing conventions that writers should adhere to:
1. Spelling
Correct spelling contributes to a well-written piece that is easy to read and comprehend. A misspelled word can throw off the entire meaning of your message and make your work more difficult to read. Correct spelling is another indication of your professionalism and attention to detail.
Misspelled words give the impression that the writer is careless or uninformed, which is not a good one to leave. In addition, good spelling is especially important in today’s digital age, when most of our written communication takes the form of emails, messages, and social media posts. Misunderstandings and social embarrassment can result from sloppy spelling.
2. Punctuation
Punctuation is a crucial part of written communication since it aids in conveying meaning, elucidating sentence structure, and making writing easier to read as a whole. Here are the following reasons why punctuation is one of the main conventions in writing:
- Clarifies meaning
- Enhances readability
- Conveys tone
- Shows the writer’s skill
3. Capitalization
Capitalization refers to the convention of starting new words with a capital letter. There are many reasons why it’s crucial to capitalize properly when writing:
- Clarity
- Grammar
- Conventions
- Respect
- Branding
4. Grammar
Effective writing relies heavily on correct grammar, which is the backbone of any language. Here are a few examples of why proper grammar is crucial when composing:
- Clarity and accuracy
- Credibility and professionalism
- Enhances readability.
- Avoids misunderstanding
- Avoids negative impression
5. Tone
The tone of a piece of writing is the author’s overall outlook, feeling, or frame of mind as conveyed in the text. The tone of a piece of writing can have a profound effect on the way its target audience understands and reacts to the ideas being presented. Reasons why tone matters in writing are as follows:
- Sets the mood.
- Conveys the author’s attitude.
- Affects the readers perception.
- Creates a connection with the reader.
- Helps to convey complex ideas.
6. Formatting
The formatting of a written work includes the choice of typeface, line spacing, margins, headings, and paragraphs. For the following reasons, proper formatting in written work is crucial:
- Helps with the readability
- Organizes information
- Creates professional appearance
- Supports accessibility
- Conveys attention to detail
7. Citations
The term “citation” refers to the process of listing the origins of the information included in a text. There are several reasons why it’s crucial to properly cite sources while writing:
- Avoids plagiarism.
- Supports arguments.
- Demonstrates credibility
- Allows for further research
- Contributes to the scholarly conversation
Writing Convention Guidelines for Specific Genre
Genre-specific writing standards might vary greatly, but here are some broad pointers for some of the most prevalent types of writing:
Fiction
- Formation of character is crucial. Characters need to have unique backstories, goals, and weaknesses to feel real to the reader.
- Disagreement is necessary. There must always be conflict for the protagonist to resolve in a story.
- The framework of a story is crucial. There needs to be a climax and resolution to the story, as well as a beginning, middle, and conclusion.
- Communication is crucial. The best way to show who a character is and to advance the plot is through dialogue.
Romance
- Think about the people you know. A romance novel’s main focus should be on the protagonists’ growing feelings for one another.
- Focus on the feels. Characters in romance books are often quite passionate and emotional, so try to give them a lot of depth in that department.
- Be specific in your language use. Romance novels are known for their detailed descriptions of places, people, and feelings.
- Leave on a positive note. It is customary in the genre, your protagonist and antagonist should end up together by the last page.
Mystery/ Thriller
- Create tension. Keeping the reader guessing and building tension are two of the most important aspects of writing a mystery or thriller.
- Make use of hints and false leads. Provide hints throughout the novel that drive the reader closer to solving the mystery, but also throw in some false leads and red herrings to confuse them.
- Create a compelling main character. The protagonist should be observant, ingenious, and dogged in his pursuit of the truth.
- Drop the bomb on us with the answer at the very end. The mystery’s enigma needs to be solved by the book’s final page.
Memoir/Autobiography
- Write from the protagonist’s perspective. First-person, author-centric point of view is common in works of these types.
- Prioritize development of oneself. The story’s main theme ought to be the author’s maturation and development.
- Describe the situation in great detail. People, places, and events are often described in great detail in memoirs and autobiographies.
- Try to tell the truth. Authenticity and honesty are essential in these types of writing, so don’t embellish the details.
It’s not easy to have a handle on all the principles of proper writing format, but doing so is crucial if you want to create high-quality written pieces. When writers follow standard patterns, they can produce works that are easy to read and get to the point fast.
