Michael Dean: The 27 Patterns To Fix Bad Writing | How I Write
Apr 9, 2025
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In a fascinating discussion, architect Michael Dean offers insights into the 27-point framework he developed to analyze great writing. He emphasizes the significance of clarity, structure, and voice in both essays and architectural design. Michael explores how tension and core questions create compelling narratives, and he highlights the transformative power of writing in personal expression. With the rise of AI, he urges writers to embrace their unique skills while leveraging technology, making the case that mastering writing will always hold importance.
Understanding the blend of objective grammar rules and subjective style can enhance writing quality and writer confidence.
Mastering fundamental design principles like thesis development and tension can significantly improve the structure and engagement of essays.
Utilizing a scoring system for writing quality allows writers to objectively assess their strengths and weaknesses for continuous improvement.
While AI can aid the writing process, the unique voice and creativity of the human writer remain essential for compelling narratives.
Deep dives
The Unique Perspective of Writing Quality
Writing quality is recognized as both objective and subjective, highlighting the interplay between measurable standards and personal taste. Objective aspects are grounded in grammar rules and stylistic conventions that can be universally acknowledged, while subjective elements allow for individual interpretation and appreciation of different writing styles. New writers often find solace in the idea that there are no wrong answers, but this can lead to frustration when faced with drafts that feel incorrect yet are difficult to analyze. Understanding an objective system of quality can help writers identify their blind spots and enhance their skills.
Fundamental Design Problems in Writing
Through extensive reading and writing, core design issues emerge that are inherent in the writing process, regardless of topic or genre. Writers must effectively scope ideas and define boundaries, develop a clear thesis, and ensure cohesion in structure. The fundamental elements of writing include material, form, and voice, each requiring thoughtful attention. By mastering these fundamental design principles, writers can craft compelling essays that resonate with varied audiences.
The Importance of Structure in Writing
The structure of an essay plays a critical role in guiding readers through the author’s ideas, starting with clear paragraphs that serve as the basic building blocks. Each paragraph should contain a hook that captures interest and a punchline that reinforces the central message. The concept of tension serves not only to engage readers but also to maintain their investment in the narrative. This structured approach allows writers to channel their thoughts into a coherent flow rather than presenting a disjointed collection of ideas.
Analyzing and Scoring Quality in Writing
Utilizing a scoring system for writing quality is proposed as a tool for analytical assessment, enabling writers to gauge their strengths and weaknesses in specific areas. By applying a detailed rubric, essays can be evaluated across numerous criteria to highlight points of improvement. The process enables writers to objectively measure the effectiveness of their writing against established patterns, pushing them to advance their skills. This method not only instills a sense of accountability but also fosters a constructive feedback loop for continuous growth.
Diverse Approaches to Crafting Ideas
Writers are encouraged to diversify their approaches in order to create engaging content that captivates various audiences. For instance, honing in on specific details allows authors to illustrate broader themes and convey deeper messages effectively. Using specific, evocative examples helps readers connect more intimately with the text, transforming seemingly mundane topics into powerful narratives. This duality in writing—balancing specificity and broader exploration—can enrich the reader’s experience while showcasing the writer’s creativity.
Leveraging AI in the Writing Process
While AI technology is rapidly advancing, its role in the writing process is not to replace human creativity but to serve as a powerful tool that enhances it. AI systems can provide insights, suggest revisions, and even generate ideas, which can help streamline the initial draft writing. However, the ultimate responsibility for crafting compelling narratives lies with the writer, who must incorporate personal experiences and inner truths. By embracing AI, writers can enhance their abilities while still maintaining their unique voice and perspective.
Navigating the Future of Writing
As AI continues to evolve, its integration into writing could lead to an unimaginable quality of content, challenging traditional notions of authorship and creativity. There may be potential for AI to not only create popular works but also to produce art that resonates deeply, reinforcing the need to engage with and understand these changing dynamics. Writers will need to adapt to competition from AI-created content while also exploring ways to enhance their craft using the technology. Ultimately, the future of writing may be one of collaboration between human insight and AI efficiency.
Essential Elements of Personal Writing
Personal writing serves a crucial role in self-expression and connecting with readers on an emotional level. Authors can enhance their writing by developing a repository of personal experiences and memories that inform their narratives, allowing AI to help organize and clarify these thoughts. By making memories machine-legible, the potential exists to create reflections that resonate with both the writer and the audience, creating a bridge between the two. This evolution of personal writing promises to blend the authentic voice of the author with the transformative capabilities of technology.
Architect Michael Dean breaks down the hidden patterns behind the great essays of our time. In this video, we go over his 27-point framework that makes up every world class piece of writing and how he uses the same system to analyze the Guggenheim and Apple Store. We also talk about what skills will still matter as AI continues to improve and why learning to write might be more important than ever. Enjoy!
Hey! I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible.
