The Kirby-Liner Working
Criteria for Good Student Writing
From Inside Out-Developmental Strategies in Teaching
Writing
Dan Kirby and Tom Liner
Presented at the
Good Writing is Interesting
1. Voice One human
being talking to another
Makes the reader
believe
Strong, recognizable
imprint of the writer
2. Movement Words building/ pull
the reader along
It goes somewhere
with variety
A sense of order
3. Light touch Writer doesn’t take
himself/herself too seriously
Even-tempered
4. Informative Important
Has substance/says
something
Adds to our
experience
5. Inventive Unique experience
Something new/ or
something old in a new way
Good Writing is Technically Skillful
6. Sense of detail Makes contact with the
reader
Anticipates reader’s
needs
Compliments the
reader with meaning
7. Detail Concrete
Photographic
Selective
Words that put the
reader there
8. Rhythm Words that sing
Sounds effortless
9. Form How it looks
on the page
What it looks like in
print
10. Mechanics Observes conventions
of spelling, punctuation, usage
Enlightened control
There are two main attributes
of good writing, to which all other qualities are related. Good writing is
interesting to read, and good writing is written with technical skill.