Three Styles of Writing

Why are we compelled to write? Not all of us are professional writers, true, but it seems that every literate feels they need to write at times. Some of us keep a journal or diary; others may just take notes at an important meeting or lecture; or maybe we jot down a grocery list now and then. The point is, if we know how to do it, then there's no escaping writing things down.

All types of writing can be divided into three general categories: writing that reports something, writing that entertains, and writing than enlightens. For most of us, our day-to-day writing is of the kind that informs. That grocery list, for example, is written to inform you of your kitchen's needs. Many people never venture beyond the writing-to-inform category. And that's okay.

It takes great skill to write for entertainment or enlightenment purposes. Entertaining writing is necessary for any kind of writing that's meant to be widely read; as most of us know, reading a dry textbook can be one of the most boring things in the world. This is because there's no entertainment value in the writing. When you run across the occasional textbook with jokes scattered throughout, the content all of the sudden becomes much more interesting.

Writing for entertainment is something that usually has to be coupled with another form of writing. This second form is often writing that informs or reports. So, in general, our favorite things to read are combinations of these two styles-a mixture of informative and entertaining writing. A novel fits this mold. Novels usually are written for entertainment value, but anyone who reads regularly knows that they also inform. They teach you about people, the worlds around you, different cultures...anything can be taught through the medium of a good book.

The last writing category-writing to enlighten-is the most difficult style to fulfill. Many people try to do this and fail. Enlightening writing is like informative writing only that it takes "informative" to a new level. With enlightening writing, not only is your mind given new knowledge, but it's also presented with a new way of seeing things. In other words, it could be said that enlightening writing touches the mind and soul.

Most often, when we think of enlightening writings we imagine philosophers and religious thinkers. These people are the most common producers of enlightening writing, but there is more out there than what is just produced by them. Exemplary writing of any genre can prove to be enlightening. If a book touches you so much that you can't stop thinking about it and you change your routine because of it, then it is enlightening. Savor the writings that give you this feeling; they are very rare.