Who is F. L. Lucas?
Frank Laurence Lucas (28 December 1894 – 1 June 1967) was an English classical scholar, literary critic, poet, novelist, playwright … He is now best remembered … for his book Style (1955; revised 1962), an acclaimed guide to recognizing and writing good prose.
After teaching English for 40 years as a professor at Cambridge University, he concluded that “writing well” is an inborn gift. As a teacher, he can only teach people how to “write better.”
10 Principles of Effective Writing
He wrote Style – a book aiming to teach the process of writing better. In this book, he listed down 10 principles of effective writing as follows:
Principle # 1 Brevity
According to Lucas, a writer must always respect the time of the reader. Therefore, brevity is on top of his list of principles of effective writing.
For example:
Long Sentence
Writing Hacks Academy has created a Facebook page for budding writers to help them find a community to consult about writing-related concerns and provide a sounding board for the newbies. It will make them stop dithering and make progress faster.
Brevity Sentence
Writing Hacks Academy has created a Facebook page, so budding writers will have a community that provides consultation for their writing concerns and a sounding board for their ideas to make them progress faster.
Principle # 2 Clarity
Lucas also emphasized the use of understandable words to save your readers unnecessary trouble. We achieve clarity when we write to serve people rather than to impress.
Example:
Long Sentence
When the Covid-19 Pandemic hit the Philippines, and we experienced lockdown in Metro Manila, it has given officer workers a whole new perspective to see the bigger picture when it comes to work-from-home setup.
Clear Sentence
When Metro Manila was in lockdown due to Covid-19 Pandemic, it has given office workers a new perspective on the work-from-home setup.
Principle # 3 Communication
Writers know that the purpose of their writing is to communicate, and the best way to follow this principle in effective writing is by using simple language.
Writing to impress is a formula for failure. Using big elaborate words and jargon shows the writer is unsure of expressing himself.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
~ Leonardo da Vinci
The most crucial lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
~ Robert Heinlein
Principle # 4 Emphasis
When writing, we want to use big and strong words in the right places. And the right place is usually the end of a clause or sentence.
Skilled writers leave a great thought at the end of the sentence for emphasis. They do this to achieve climax. Mastering this art will allow you to bring the reader to a brief pause, with the emphatic word lingering in his mind.
Example:
Original sentence – The Eiffel Tower is one of the famous landmarks in the world.
Revised sentence – One of the world’s most famous landmarks is The Eiffel Tower.
Principle # 5 Honesty
For us to gain the readers’ trust, Lucas points out that honesty is the best policy. Whatever we write may be used against us in the future, so be very careful since writing reveals a lot of the writer’s character.
Lucas further states that when writers use long, impressive words, in the end, the length only shows the fakes.
Two Ways to Write More Honestly:
- Pretend that you are writing to a friend and telling her a story of what happened to you. Use words as if you are speaking, then, your natural storytelling skills will come alive.
- Write for yourself. Only write about things that interest you. For a newbie writer who is still grappling to find his style, marketers will persuade him to write about topics that SELL. But if this is not the genre you are comfortable in, it will show.
Principle # 6 Passion and Control
To write with passion is to make your readers feel like the words are jumping out of the pages. Without it, our thoughts lay flat, communicating nothing. Control is what holds passion in check, making sure nothing goes overboard. These two principles of effective writing always come hand-in-hand.
Passion and Control are often used in copywriting. To drive home the point, copywriters must write passionately about what he is selling.
Example of Passion and Control in Copywriting:
Don’t know how to organize a corporate event? We DO!!
Don’t know how to bring in the country’s top DJs and models? We DO!!
Don’t know how to turn your party into the biggest event this summer? We DO!!
Call us at _____ or email us to stage your next exciting event!
Principle # 7 Reading
As we have been taught by our English teachers, to become a good writer, reading good books starts. By reading numerous books from a favorite author, we somehow imbibe their style of writing.
With more practice, the writer’s style will shine through soon enough. F.L. Lucas equates it to hearing different speakers if you want to learn to give speeches.
So remember our Reading subject in grade school? Part of its purpose is to prepare us to be better writers.
Principle # 8 Revision
What makes writing better than public speaking is this principle – we can always review our work and edit it. This usually happens to writers, they write continuously with passion today, only to change the words they use tomorrow because the fire sparked in them has simmered.
So, it is always wise to write, leave it for one day before re-reading it again. There must be something in the essay that needs rewriting.
Principle # 9 Simplicity and Sophistication
Lucas tells us that sophisticated does not necessarily express ideas better. Sometimes, Simplicity does the trick. Or vice-versa. The lesson here is to strike a balance between the two.
The easier it is to read your writing, the more believable it is. And the more believable it is, the more your credibility increases.
~ Steve Maurer
What did Leonardo Da Vinci say again?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
~ Da Vinci
Principle # 10 Sound and Rhythm
To finish off the list are sound and rhythm. Whatever was written down or typed on paper may look good. Lucas said, “Read it out loud. Do the words sound good?”
If not, go back to # 8 – Revision.
Conclusion
Which of the 10 principles resonates with you the most? If you have read the above principles of effective writing and felt that you already possess some of them, but not all, it is not too late for you.
Learn more easy-to-follow tips that will help you become a better writer. Check out this post.
Writing Hacks Academy is offering an online course on Level Up Your Writing Skills. The program is designed for writers like you.
If you have questions, you may contact us through www.facebook.com/writinghacksacademy.
Click here to register for a discount today.
References
10 Principles Of Effective Writing. (2019, September 29). Retrieved from https://www.writerswrite.co.za/ten-principles-of-effective-writing/
30 Famous Authors On Writing In Plain Language. (2020, February 10). Retrieved from https://www.writerswrite.co.za/30-famous-quotes-on-writing-in-plain-language/
Admin, & Admin. (n.d.). How To Write Honestly. Retrieved from http://mikeshreeve.com/how-to-write-honestly/
Admin. (2012, October 19). Ten Principles for Effective Writing. Retrieved from https://www.jli.edu.in/blog/ten-principles-for-effective-writing/
Brevity. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/brevity?s=t
F. L. Lucas. (2020, June 10). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F._L._Lucas#:~:text=Frank Laurence Lucas (28 December,Park during World War II.
How to Use Emphasis in Writing. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.writeexpress.com/emphasis.html
Maurer, S., About the Author Steve Maurer, Twitter, F. O., & Maurer, M. C. (2020, April 04). Sophistication in Simplicity: The Writer’s Da Vinci Code. Retrieved from https://hub.uberflip.com/blog/sophistication-in-simplicity-the-writer-s-da-vinci-code#:~:text=Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication&text=Some writers believe that to,the more your credibility increases
Nordquist, R. (n.d.). What Are 10 Principles of Effective Writing? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/f-l-lucas-principles-of-effective-writing-1691862
Writing with Passion: 10 Formulas to ‘Amplify’ Your Words. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.iconicontent.com/blog/copywriting-with-passion
Mary Ann , also called “The Millennial Granny” is a single mother of three and a granny of two little munchkins. Her story started as a newbie in the hotel industry, where she learned the ABCs of sales and marketing. She eventually took off and worked in a foreign country where she met the father of her children. Fast forward a few years, she went back to the Philippines as Hotel Sales and Marketing Director of an upscale resort.
She explored freelance writing in 2020 to adjust to the Coronavirus pandemic, which affected the travel industry. Mary Ann completed Writing Hacks Academy’s course, Freelance Writing Road Map.
Through all of her life’s journeys, she has always kept a close relationship with her three millennial kids. She believes in continuous learning, regardless of age. Thus, she calls herself The Millennial Granny.