Alive Quote by Ken Macrorie
“Most good writing is clear, vigorous, honest, alive, sensuous, appropriate, unsentimental, rhythmic, without pretension, fresh, metaphorical, evocative in sound, economical, authoritative, surprising, memorable, and light.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Writing Style Guide, unknown source
Effective writing combines clarity, energy, honesty, vividness, and economy while avoiding sentimentality and pretension.
In simple terms: Good writing is clear, vivid, honest, and concise.
Key Takeaway
Write with clarity and vividness.
Themes
clarity
vividness
honesty
economy
style
Mood
inspirational
analytical
professional
Type
advice
instructional
descriptive
When to use this quote
- academic essays
- creative writing
- marketing copy
- journalism
- public speaking
Key Concepts
literary technique
voice
tone
rhythm
Questions to Reflect On
- How does vividness enhance reader engagement?
- When is a formal tone appropriate?
A Different Perspective
May sacrifice depth for brevity if over‑simplified.
