Useful Writing Framework
Write to inform
The Useful Writing Framework is a set of principles for writing essays that are correct, novel, important, and strong. It emphasizes the importance of precision, clarity, and simplicity in writing. The framework is designed to help writers produce essays that are useful to readers, rather than simply persuasive or entertaining.
- Correctness is not enough; writing must also be precise and clear.
- Novelty is key; writing should introduce new ideas or perspectives.
- Importance is crucial; writing should address topics that matter to readers.
- Strength is essential; writing should be confident and well-supported.
- Determine the topicChoose a topic that is important and relevant to readers. Consider what you can write about that will be novel and useful to your audience.Pro tipUse yourself as a proxy for the reader; write about topics that seem important to you.WarningAvoid topics that are too broad or too narrow.
- Research and gather informationGather information and evidence to support your arguments. Consider multiple sources and perspectives to ensure correctness and novelty.Pro tipUse the Morris technique to ensure that you only publish what you are sure of.WarningAvoid relying on a single source or perspective.
- Organize and structure your essayOrganize your essay in a logical and clear manner. Use simple language and avoid jargon or technical terms that may confuse readers.Pro tipUse an outline to help you stay organized and focused.WarningAvoid using overly complex language or structure.
- Write and reviseWrite your essay and then revise it carefully. Consider seeking feedback from others and be willing to make changes to improve your work.Pro tipUse the loose-then-tight approach; write a first draft quickly and then revise it carefully.WarningAvoid being too attached to your initial draft; be willing to make changes to improve your work.
Graham uses the example of Pike's Peak to illustrate the importance of precision and clarity in writing. He notes that saying Pike's Peak is near the middle of Colorado is more useful than saying it is somewhere in Colorado, but that saying it is in the exact middle of Colorado is incorrect.
The framework was developed by Paul Graham, a writer and entrepreneur, based on his own experiences and observations about what makes writing useful. Graham argues that traditional notions of essay writing, which prioritize persuasion over usefulness, are misguided and that writers should instead focus on producing work that is correct, novel, important, and strong.