You’ve probably heard the term “good” thrown around a lot. From the best products, to good schools, to good management, it’s used to describe a wide variety of things. But what does it mean? What qualities does something have to be to qualify as “good”? This article looks at some key characteristics that make a product, a school, or a piece of writing good.

Good writing is clear, coherent, and logically organized. It should also be free of grammatical errors and follow generally accepted standards of English. Good writing can also be creative and original. The most successful writing carries some of the personality and style of its author. Think of Mark Twain bashing Jane Austen, for example. Both writers are well known and revered, but their prose styles differ.

In addition to being clear, coherent, and logically organized, good writing should have a central idea. Each paragraph should support or expand on that idea. This is especially important for academic and expository writing.

One of the most important traits of a good manager is the ability to listen and respond to employees. This is especially important in a workplace with team members who work closely together. Good managers are aware that their team members are observing how they react to messages and events, and will model their own responses on what they see from their leaders.

Lastly, good writing must have a rhythm and pace that is interesting to read. Vague, muddled writing will bore your reader. Try to use short, descriptive sentences and a variety of word lengths. Also, incorporate wit if you can. It will liven up your prose and make it more fun to read.