Writing Conventions: Definition and Key Elements

English might seem finicky but at the same time important and universal language. So it is necessary to have a good grasp of it. 

For that, the very first thing is to have a complete idea of the writing conventions. 

Writing conventions are the set of rules that writers should follow to impart meaning and clarity to their writing. 

Whether you are a professional writer or a student, the writing conventions will definitely help you to craft a concise and effective piece of writing. 

To get a clear view of the types of writing conventions and a few tips for standard convention writing, go through the article below. 

Writing Conventions – Overview

The Basic mechanics of writing, such as Capitals, Punctuation rules, Grammatical rules, and spelling to impart clarity to the sentence and makes your writing more comprehensible, are termed Writing Conventions. 

These conventions allow the writers to specify and convey the words and sentences in the exact way they should be interpreted by the reader so that the readers understand the message which the writer is trying to convey.  

Writing conventions forms the basic foundation for any piece of written composition, so it is essential to master them for enhanced and impactful writing. 

Major Writing Conventions

To learn more about the writing conventions, let’s get into the details of each of them. 

Spelling

Accuracy is the most crucial part when it comes to spelling. The mistakes or errors with spelling can confuse readers regarding the message that was to be intended. 

In order to write effectively, it is mandatory to spell the words correctly. There are cases where there might be differences in the spellings of Words for British English and American English. In such cases, sticking to one English to maintain consistency throughout the text is necessary. 

Below are a few Spelling rules that you can go through. 

• Each syllable of the word should comprise a Vowel.
• Add a Suffix to the words that end with “y.”
• The silent ‘e.’ after a consonant at the end of the word affects the way you pronounce the vowel, and it is important to get it right, as its presence or absence may change the meaning of the words.
• Plural suffixes: This rule states that when the words end with -sh, -s, -x, -ch, you can add -es.

Capitalization

Capitalization rules are the major writing conventions, and it is necessary to determine where to make use of capital letters in sentences so as to enhance the readability of the text. 

The capitalization might seem confusing when it comes to writing a title or indicating some unique thing. But no worries, here are some of the basic capitalization rules to help you out. 

• Capitalize the beginning, i.e., the first word of the sentence.
• Capitalize the names and proper nouns. 
• Capitalize a maximum number of words in the title.
• Do not capitalize the words after the colon. 
• You can capitalize months, days, and holidays but not seasons.

Punctuation 

For appropriate Grammatical usage, it is necessary to understand the proper use of the punctuation marks such as commas, colons, semicolons, exclamation marks, and quotation marks.

Moreover, it is also essential to know where the ellipses, dashes, and parentheses should be applied correctly.

Following are some of the basic punctuation rules that you can follow to create error-free messages. 

• The Punctuation should be parallel.
• Commas are used to separate two sentences or the ideas in the sentences. 
• A colon should be used at the end of the clause 
• Semicolons are utilized for equal emphasis that divides two clauses. 

Grammar

Grammar plays a crucial role in the process of creative writing. Appropriate and proper use of Grammar is essential to enhance clarity, readability, credibility, and communication. 

They are the most important conventions that make your writing more concise and intelligible. 

Subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, the structure of the sentence, and many other grammatical factors create a huge impact on the paragraphs and formation of the sentences. 

Below are some of the common grammatical rules that you can go through. 

• A complete sentence should have a noun and a verb. 
• Make sure you avoid passive voice whenever it is possible. 
• Determine parts of speech and utilize them effectively.
• Ensure that you avoid comma splices. 
• Avoid fragments and run-on sentences. 

Genre-Specific Writing Conventions 

Now that we have seen the major writing conventions, now let us take a quick look over the genre-specific writing conventions. 

Narrative Conventions For Writing 

Narrative Conventions are one of the most efficient ways of storytelling and help the readers to understand it better. It creates an impact and evokes emotions in the readers. 

These writings convey feelings and emotions and persuade the readers so that they can feel and experience the same emotions as the character of the story.  

Here are some of the important elements of Narrative conventions of writing. 

• Plot 
• Theme 
• Setting 
• Characters 
• Conflict 
• Point of View

Persuasive Conventions For Writing 

Persuasive Convention is one of the effective, compelling techniques that is used by authors to convey their message to the reader and convince them to agree with the author’s point of view. 

This type of writing features several types of languages, and the different methods of techniques used for persuasive writing include the use of facts, opinions, alliteration, imperative verbs, etc. 

Understanding and considering the audience is the crucial part when it comes to persuasive writing. Below are some examples of persuasive writing. 

• Articles
• Bogs
• Newspaper columns 
• Advertising campaigns
• Speeches
• Essays 
• Travel Brochures

Instructional Conventions For Writing 

The main purpose of the instructional writing convention is to provide educational guidance or instructions regarding any procedures or methods to the audience. 

It may include instruction manuals, recipe books, or how-to-guide articles to reach out to the users and help them regarding any issues. 

Here are a few basics that must be taken under consideration for the instructional writing convention. 

• Maintain the chronological order.
• To help the readers follow the mentioned steps, make sure to write in the form of numbered lists. 
• Use imperative verb commands such as ‘take,’ ‘get,’ ‘move,’ etc. 

Letter Writing Conventions 

The Letter Writing Conventions provide rules or a set of guidelines that helps with the appropriate composition of the letter.

Provided below are certain instructions that are mandatory to follow for writing a letter. 

• The address and place should be at the top right side of the corner. 
• Mention the date in the letter.
• Start your letter with a greeting or salutation like ‘Dear Sir/mam.’
• To close the letter, write your name and signature. 

Formal Writing Convention

Formal writing conventions are essential for writing any formal or academic documents. If you are writing a letter to your teachers or principal, then there is a certain set of rules for formal writing that you should follow. 

Make sure you use proper terminology and grammar and avoid the use of figures of speech, abbreviations, and slang and use complete words rather than acronyms or contractions. 

Basic Tips For Standard Writing Conventions 

If you want to make your writing shine, then here are a few tips for standard writing conventions that you can check out. 

• Write complete sentences, and make sure you avoid run-on sentences.

• Use appropriate spelling and punctuation.

• Avoid unnecessary long introductions; instead, keep them precise and short.

• Make sure to put citations effectively and correctly.

• Make proper use of punctuation marks wherever necessary.

• Align and organize the paragraphs appropriately. 

• Review and proofread your written work. 

Related Read:

• What Are The Advantages Of Using AI Writing Assistants?
• Top 10 Student Writing Mistakes
• Best AI Writing Software

Final Thoughts

One of the main things that should be taken into consideration before writing is that it must be reader-centric and understandable. 

In order to avoid spelling errors, you can opt for a spelling checker such as Grammarly or another tool to help you determine errors and brush up on your writing skills. 

Even though conventions of writing might seem quite obvious, it is beneficial to brush on them before you start writing. 

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