Characteristics Quote by F.W. Bateson
![“[The] defining characteristics of good prose [are]: a preference for short sentences diversified by an occasionally very long one; a tone that is relaxed and almost colloquial; a large vocabulary that enjoys exploiting the different etymological and social levels of words; and an insistence on…” quote by F.W. Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7af/f-w-bateson-237073_language_the-defining-characteristics-of-good-pro_2171085.jpg)
““[The] defining characteristics of good prose [are]: a preference for short sentences diversified by an occasionally very long one; a tone that is relaxed and almost colloquial; a large vocabulary that enjoys exploiting the different etymological and social levels of words; and an insistence on verbal and logical precision.””
About This Quote
Source book: Writing Guide by F.W. Bateson, 1972
Good prose uses varied sentence length, relaxed tone, rich vocabulary, and precise logic.
In simple terms: Good prose = varied, relaxed, precise, rich.
Key Takeaway
Apply these writing principles.
Themes
writing
prose
style
clarity
precision
lexicon
tone
Mood
educational
analytical
Type
instructional
literary
When to use this quote
- essay writing
- creative writing
- editing
- academic papers
Key Concepts
linguistics
rhetoric
educational theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sentence variety affect readability?
- When to prioritize precision?
A Different Perspective
May be ideal for formal contexts only.
