Features of Practical English Writing

As an independent type of writing, practical writing is different from other types of writing. It has its own features in practicality, reality, certainty, formality and timeliness.

1. Practicality.

Practical writing, as its name indicates, is clearly different from literary writing. Its emphasis is placed on practicality. Usually, practical writing has its specifics audience and purpose. Practical writing generally comes to the point by telling readers what something is, where and when something happens, why it is and how it is. After it is finished, it comes into effect. Furthermore, practical writing may motivate readers to take immediate action in response to having read it.

2. Reality

So far as practical writing is concerned, what is written is intended to be real. If the content is false, the writing may lead to serious negative consequences. Unlike literary writing, everything in practical writing, including character, event, time, place, and so on, should be true and reliable.

3. Certainty

By certainty, we mean that the language used in practical writing should be definite and certain. For instance, when we refers to "smooth finish," we seldom say "as smooth as glass"; when we refers to "hardness," we rarely says "as hard as steel"; when we indicate the place of delivery, we cannot say "along the Jeneberang River," either. That is to say, in practical writing, rhetorical device - such as, simile, metaphor, and hyperbole - is considerably less used.

4. Formality and Informality

As we know, the language we use in what we write to our family members and friends is quite different from what we write to a university or admission application. Therefore, in practical writing formality and informality of the language differs when the audience is different.

5. Timeliness

When we do practical writing for certain events in daily life, we should keep in mind that timeliness is important. For example, when we receive a gift, we send a thank-you note soon afterward. If a letter for thanking somebody is belated, the writer will be thought to be rude or impolite. Actually, writing in time lays a good foundation for establishing relationships and maintaining friendship.