Good Elements of Writing
Elements of Good Writing: SPA
SPA is an acronym that stands for subject, purpose, and audience – three of the most important elements of good writing. You will find it easier to write if you have: a subject that you know well and understand, a clear purpose for writing, and an audience that you have identified.
Subject:
In order to write well, it is helpful to choose a topic that interests you and that you know and understand. If you are assigned a subject, try to find an angle of that subject that you find interesting and want to explore.
Example:
Entertainment
Concerts
Rock Concerts
Rolling Stones
93’World Tour
Purpose:
To determine your purpose, you should ask yourself the question “Why am I writing?” The three most common purposes for writing are to entertain, to inform and to persuade.
Exercise: When you read any text, identify the purpose of that piece of writing.
Audience:
Because you will almost always be writing for an audience, you will communicate your ideas more effectively if you keep that audience in mind. Remember that all audiences have expectations, but those expectations vary from one audience to another. Try to choose appropriate words and varying the tone of your wring for difference audiences.
Exercise: 1. After you have chosen your subject, find an angle of it that you find interesting. Then determine your purpose and identify your audience.
2. Then, find another angle of the same subject that you want to explore. Choose a different purpose for your writing and pick another audience.