How One News Article Redefined Good Writing for Me
by Helen Dong
To me, any work that effectively communicates its intended message to its audience qualifies as good writing. Naïve definition? Perhaps, but writing is a fundamental means of communication. Regardless of whether it’s meant to inform, persuade, entertain or evoke emotion, a written piece’s power rests in its clarity and resonance. The ability to meet the reader where they are and lead them on a journey to something new – an idea, feeling, or change of understanding – is “good”; there is no need for flowery vocabulary or complex structure. Hence, what I consider a good piece of writing may not be perceived the same way by someone else, as it might lack clarity or emotional resonance for that reader – it’s all subjective.
With this definition in mind, I believe the ABC News article “What exactly is the conclave? Here's what to know about how the next pope is elected” written by Christopher Watson is a good piece of writing.
The papacy is the highest honour in the Catholic Church and attaining it requires a simple selection process steeped with tradition, symbolism, and secrecy. This piece of writing explains the conclave – the gathering of cardinals to appoint the next pope. It covers definitions, voting eligibility, secrecy, the voting process, and the announcement of the new pope; it serves as an end-to-end guide for those who are unfamiliar with the procedure.
For background, I am atheist with some basic knowledge about the papacy: knowledge about where he lives, what his role is, and what he represents in the Catholic Church. Beyond that though, I am a lost deer in the woods. Hence, with the recent passing of Pope Francis and hearing news about the conclave everywhere on the news, I became curious about the Pope selection process and started digging.
I quickly found this article and in less than 10 minutes learned the ins and outs of the selection process. It covers key terminology such as “conclave” and “cardinal” and explains the voting procedure in a way that is both clear and engaging. For someone with as limited knowledge as I have on the topic, it also includes analogies so that I can intuitively wrap my head around the idea. For example, when talking about Saint Martha's House, it explains it as simply a hotel in the Vatican where the cardinals reside. Moreover, the article touches on historical traditions such as the use of smoke signals that indicate the outcome of each round’s voting – black for no decision and white for a successful election! Having these details enrich my understanding and made this process feel less abstract.
Now, since the tradition of the conclave has remained largely unchanged for centuries, I strongly believe this article will stand the test of time. Hence, when it comes time for a new pope, this article will continue to provide readers with a clear and relevant explanation of the entire process.
Ultimately, good writing is writing that meets the reader exactly where they are – and for me, this article does exactly that! Watson explained a complex and tradition-rich process in an engaging and accessible form; it not only informed but it sparked genuine interest. To me, that is the hallmark of good writing. Now, go out and find a piece that is your definition of good writing!
BIO: Helen Dong is an emerging writer exploring creative nonfiction and reflective prose. She believes that writing is meant to be shared – and sharing means submitting, facing rejection, and continuing anyway. This essay is part of a broader effort to build consistency in her practice by creating, submitting, and tracking her work. Connect with Helen on LinkdIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/helendong24/.