influential writing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "influential writing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe writing that has a significant impact on readers, society, or a particular field. Example: "Her influential writing on climate change has inspired many to take action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

David Montgomery, a labor historian whose experience as a machinist informed his influential writing about the culture of the factory floor, died last Friday in Philadelphia.

The New York Times

From these pages, you can ferret out good sources for plants as well as useful out-of-print books, notably Ruth Stout's smart, influential writing about the organic gardening method she developed in the 1950s.

The New York Times - Books

So said John Muir, the Scottish-born conservationist whose passionate and influential writing helped persuade Congress to pass a bill leading to the declaration of Yosemite as the US's third national park, in 1890.

The Guardian - Travel

Johnston's outstanding and highly influential Writing & Illuminating, & Lettering (1906), containing clear and practical information on writing procedures as well as aesthetics, was followed by Manuscript and Inscription Letters (1909).

Encyclopedia Britannica

And then I noticed that a few scholars who were just a bit older than myself were getting a bit of attention for becoming some of the first historians to write about the sixties without having had any real firsthand experience with the decade; until then, the most influential writing on the sixties had been accomplished by baby boomers.

The New Yorker

His most influential writing reconciles the philosophy of emptiness (Sk. śūnyatā) with the imperative of praxis embodied in a universal altruistic principle (Sk. bodhicitta).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Plus he was a very influential linguist writing about Chinese, Vietnamese and writing systems in general".

The New York Times

But the influential Lewis Mumford, writing in The New Yorker, thought the 42-story tower had measles.

The New York Times

Also, postal worker unions hold sway over some lawmakers who are influential in writing legislation that governs the agency.

The New York Times

Her uncle is Dan Goleman, a popular neuroscience writer who Ms. Wolf said was influential in writing her latest book.

The New York Times

Email: [email protected] David Marr journalist David is widely regarded as one of Australia's most influential commentators writing on subjects such as politics, censorship, the media and the arts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of written work, use "influential writing" to denote its capacity to affect opinions, behaviors, or outcomes. Ensure your sentence clearly identifies the subject and the specific area in which it exerts influence.

Common error

Avoid using "influential writing" to describe work that is merely popular or well-regarded without evidence of tangible effects. Reserve this term for writing demonstrably capable of producing significant change or shaping discourse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "influential writing" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "influential" modifies "writing". According to Ludwig, it describes written work that has a significant impact or effect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "influential writing" effectively describes written work that has a significant impact. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to describe texts that shape opinions or inspire action. While the frequency of "influential writing" is classified as uncommon, it appears across diverse sources, including News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. For alternative phrasing, you may consider "impactful writing" or "persuasive writing" to refine your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impactful writing

Replaces "influential" with "impactful", emphasizing the effect of the writing.

effective writing

Focuses on the writing's ability to achieve a desired result.

persuasive writing

Highlights the writing's ability to convince or sway readers.

high-impact writing

Uses "high-impact" as a compound adjective to emphasize the significance of the writing.

powerful writing

Emphasizes the strength and forcefulness of the writing.

significant writing

Focuses on the importance and noteworthiness of the writing.

formative writing

Highlights the writing's role in shaping opinions or ideas.

consequential writing

Emphasizes that the writing has important results or effects.

writing with influence

Rephrases the term to use "influence" as a noun, changing the sentence structure.

writing that carries weight

Uses a metaphor to describe writing that is important and influential.

FAQs

How can I use "influential writing" in a sentence?

Use "influential writing" to describe text that has a considerable impact on a particular field or audience. For instance, "Her "influential writing" on environmental policy shaped public opinion and led to legislative changes".

What are some alternatives to "influential writing"?

Alternatives include "impactful writing", "persuasive writing", or "effective writing". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "influential writing" in formal contexts?

Yes, "influential writing" is suitable for formal contexts, especially when discussing academic work, policy documents, or significant literary contributions. Its neutrality makes it acceptable for both formal and informal settings.

What distinguishes "influential writing" from merely good writing?

"Influential writing" not only demonstrates quality in terms of style and content, but it also has a tangible effect on its readers or on the broader discourse surrounding its subject matter. It shapes opinions, inspires action, or changes the course of events, unlike merely good writing which may be well-crafted but lacks such widespread impact.