by Gordon Hamilton

Created on: June 06, 2009

In order to determine the truth about writing rules, we first of all have to consider what are perceived as writing rules. We will find that writing rules take many shapes and forms, covering everything from grammar and punctuation to the ways in which plot should develop in fiction.

Grammar, punctuation, spelling and the likes are of course writing rules which we hopefully learn when we are being taught to write as children. These are probably the most formal of writing rules and require adherence when we are writing such as novels, articles, or formal letters or e-mails. The truth about these writing rules, however, is that contrary to popular opinion, they are not always necessary. If we consider such as a short e-mail or SMS message to a friend to impart some information, we will find these rules to be all but irrelevant provided we convey the meaning of our message to our friend.

There are certain other writing rules which are often applied to writing fiction. These rules will include such as a short story always having a twist in the tale, or a romantic novel always ending in bliss ever after. While these rules are of course important and usually expected by the reader, the skilful writer can on occasion disregard them without spoiling the overall effect of the piece. The one possible rule in this category which may not be subject to exception is the one which states that a fairy tale written for young children should have a happy ending.

The rules of article writing generally include that the article be concise and to the point. It should not stray off-topic nor include information deemed surplus to requirements. The truth about these writing rules is that while they provide good advice in general, they would not apply to such as a technical article giving detailed instruction upon a highly specialised subject.

The rules for newspaper journalists or citizen journalists online generally refer to reporting concisely on an event or occurrence to the general public at large. While this is most often the case, exceptions to this rule would be such as political commentary, where the journalist is more likely to propagate theory as opposed to simply reporting hard and fast fact.

The truth about writing rules is therefore that they exist for a reason and most of them do apply in the majority of relevant instances. Each one of the rules referred to above, however, and every other writing rule we can name, simply refers to the one writing rule of all which can never be disobeyed: the writer should gear their writing towards giving their subsequent readership what they ultimately want and expect.

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