How to write? Well that’s a loaded question don’t you think? As I mentioned briefly in my “What Is Writing?” post, there are many different types of writing. The “how to” portion varies depending on what kind of writing you need to perform.

The first step in writing is figuring out what kind of writing you are working on. After that, you need to zero in on the subject. The purpose of the writing can also help you figure out what kind of writing you’re working on if you’re struggling to nail that first part down. Once you have those answers, you’ll just have to add the filler text, which should include all of your supporting information or details.

Keep reading for a quick glance at the kinds of answers you can have here, but don’t forget to subscribe and come back later for the detailed articles!

The 6 Styles of writing

EXPOSITORY – You can also call this one informational, as the main goal of this type of writing is to inform. You can instruct, define, clarify or even just introduce a topic to someone. For example, this post is informing you of the writing process, and therefore it is expository.

PERSUASIVE – Do you have an opinion about something? Write it like you’re presenting a one sided debate. If you’re trying to make someone believe the same things as you, it’s persuasive.

NARRATIVE – To put it simply, this is the “Once Upon A Time” style. Tell me a story; fiction or non-fiction, both are included in this category. Narrative writing gives you the events of an entire story.

DESCRIPTIVE – This one is pretty self explanatory if you look at it. The purpose of this style of writing is to, you guessed it, describe. It sounds a bit like narrative, and to a point it is a component, but this is where you give the detail. The story of the Boy Who Lived isn’t half as interesting if you didn’t know about the purple faced uncle that ruffled his bushy mustache as he locked the rusty bold on the outside of the door on the cupboard under the stairs. If you’re writing for entertainment certainly, invite the devil with the detail.

TECHNICAL – <Insert topic here> for Dummies. Yes, I said dummies. Not that your readers should be viewed as dumb though. This is a type of writing that takes complex topics and aims to simplify it so anyone can follow it.

POETIC – This style is debated depending on who you talk to, but I personally like to count it as its own genre. This is the minute and quick style. Did you write a tweet today? Did you make it rhyme? Was it beautifully crafted? You just wrote poetry.

Define the subject of your writing

Who remembers writing papers in English class in college, or even high school? One of the things on the grading rubric was “subject sentence”, and that hasn’t changed. Usually, the title of the work will help you suss out the subject of the piece you’re writing. The subject for this article should be easy to find, it’s the same as the title. How to write.

Support the subject

This is the rest of the writing. Obviously this will be the supporting text, the details, the story, etc.; but this section also includes the usual checklist of writing. Full sentences, proper grammar, spelling, voice, not droning on and on and on… You get the picture.

My next six blog posts will dive further into the 6 Styles Of Writing. So don’t forget to follow the blog!