Which is not a principle of good writing?

Which is not a principle of good writing?

• A. Footnotes
• B. Clarity
• C. Brevity
• D. Coherence

Answer: (A)

Principles of good writing center on how ideas are presented clearly and effectively. Footnotes are a device used to cite sources or add extra details; they support the writing but are not a guiding principle that defines writing quality. The other concepts—clarity, brevity, and coherence—describe how well the main text communicates ideas: clarity makes meaning unambiguous, brevity keeps expression concise, and coherence ensures ideas flow logically and are well connected. Footnotes can enhance understanding or credibility, but they don’t themselves serve as a universal principle of good writing.

Principles of good writing center on how ideas are presented clearly and effectively. Footnotes are a device used to cite sources or add extra details; they support the writing but are not a guiding principle that defines writing quality. The other concepts—clarity, brevity, and coherence—describe how well the main text communicates ideas: clarity makes meaning unambiguous, brevity keeps expression concise, and coherence ensures ideas flow logically and are well connected. Footnotes can enhance understanding or credibility, but they don’t themselves serve as a universal principle of good writing.