What is Good Writing?

Some articles and books pull you into a story and captivate you until they end. Others struggle to keep you interested or confuse you in the process. What is the difference between the "good" and "bad" writing? After all, the good writers are using the same twenty-six letters as the bad writers right? Just like chefs, writers can use the same materials but end up with totally different creations depending on the recipe. 

Good writing cannot be attributed to just one element. Some, but not all, elements of good writing include grammar, punctuation, ideas, organization, and clarity. Grammar and punctuation are like the flour in a cake. They are integrated with all the other ingredients and support the whole work, even though they may not be the most interesting or glamorous ingredients. Ideas are also main ingredients but, like baking powder and eggs, give the work body and substance. Organization and clarity are like sugar in that they give the work purpose and help the creation to become something delicious.

All of these components alone would not make an appetizing product. Good grammar and punctuation can only go so far without clear ideas and vice versa. Practice is the only way one will get better at any skill. No one wakes up one morning and is instantly a phenomenal writer or chef. It takes hours of repetition, observation and even error. One final ingredient could be called the icing on the cake of writing; a strong command of words. An article or cake can be good without the icing. But, the icing gives the piece an extra flare and beauty that packages the "good writing cake" beautifully.