INTP writing style

[RJT]

I thought it would be interesting to ask whether INTPs share any core writing style characteristics? I have listed a few of mine in this thread. I'd be interested to know whether anyone else shares these principles, and whether there are any other particular characteristics that INTPs display in their writing.

• Language is used to describe logical pictures of the world. Superfluous 'flowery' language is frowned upon.

• Words convey a strong emotive feeling insofar as they aid or hinder the presentation of a coherent logical structure.

• You pay attention to the emphasis and flow in your argument. There is no distinction between style and content. All that matters is the picture that is created.

• You describe ideas by starting from first principles and branching your way out.

• You value succinctness. If your essay is significantly under a set word limit, this is a sign of good writing rather than a lack of substance.

• You like reading passages of text and summarising the argument in a pithy logical structure.

• You dislike writers who quote from authority to support an argument. It doesn't matter who advocates a given position. All that matters is the validity of the argument itself.

• In a finished essay, every word matters.

 

[Duxwing]

I share these characteristics, but not in creative writing. There, I focus on the beauty and emotion of my piece rather than on pithy writing.

-Duxwing

 

[Tony3d]

I think there is a dark poet inside of every INTP...

 

[Words]

http://www.typologycentral.com/forums/nt-rationale/57803-intj-versus-intp-writing-styles.html

I like this post and the resulting discussions.

 

[SpaceYeti]

I don't know about INTPs in general, but my wife can tell that I wrote something even if she discovers it through means totally apart from me.

 

[BigApplePi]

I am fond of all those bullets except for ones which hit me as vague.* I will deliver emotion or emphasis but consider that failure. If I wish to see something complete, I don't like authority references. They may be a necessary evil if one is delivering an unfinished idea. I would prefer statements be made as if the authority were present. Want a reference?

Open writing is an invitation. Creative writing is an invitation.

*Did I forget to name them?

 

[redbaron]

Other than people spelling and punctuating their writing appropriately, I don't really care how people express themselves.

I disagree with details, not the framing of an argument, or the personality of the person making it.

 

[creep]

I adore superfluous language - well, there's a time and place for everything and most of the time, one can get away with it. I also appreciate style in an argument.

I do have a personal style to my talking and writing. I've had people I've scarcely communicated with, asking me if certain things are mine(and being right in their guess).


I write, however, and everything has since spilled over into my general life. I don't care about spelling or punctuation in terms of others, as long as it's something I can understand. Not everyone is good with it and the point is to convey something - I'm not going to act like I'm an idiot just because of someone's way of writing.

 

[mu is mu]

This is what I thought of:

• Broad and sometimes technical vocabulary
• Exceptionally precise non-fiction writing
• Use of qualifiers (e.g., “may,” “seem,” “possibly,” etc.)
• Detached tone, oftentimes even in matters that others habitually regard with emotion
• Extremely detailed and thorough language at times, but as you say, “every word counts”
• Strict adherence to proper grammar
• Open-mindedness/neutrality (ideally, anyway)
• Markedly distinct from the written language that is characteristic of NFs, SPs, and SJs
​

For me personally, all of these characteristics as well as the ones you mentioned seem to be developing further and manifesting with greater frequency in my writing as I age.

 

[EmergingAlbert]

Language is used to describe logical pictures of the world. Superfluous 'flowery' language is frowned upon.

For me this depends on the situation. I agree if it's prose. However, with poetry, I find flowery language quite beautiful and even necessary in order to classify it as poetry. With prose, on the other hand, I am very straightforward and to the point.

You value succinctness. If your essay is significantly under a set word limit, this is a sign of good writing rather than a lack of substance.

Agreed.

In a finished essay, every word matters.

Agreed.

As for the others you listed, I either disagree or am indifferent.

One characteristic of my writing that I would like to add is the use of parentheses and slashes. I think I may even use them too much. I use them to clarify details that may not be relevant to the passage otherwise. Since I am writing about it now, I made a very conscious effort not to use them, but if you look at my other posts, you will most definitely see what I mean. I think this is a relatively common characteristic of INTP writing.

 

[Brahma]

...parentheses and slashes..

I never even realized that until you mentioned it. But I guess you're right, I suppose it stems from the inherent intention to be a theorist, and to be perfectly clear and complete in what you say.

Also, I think too much when I write posts. I also often edit my posts, and usually preview them excessively before posting.

 

[Nezaros]

Those all sound about right, though only when I'm writing to inform. I can, and very much enjoy, writing in superfluous and flowery fashion. But I can't count the times I've run out of time for a writing assignment because I spent far too much time focusing on the best possible diction.

 

[Clav]

When reading an article/essay/white paper, I generally care very little for the writing style or if it has "fluff". As I make my way through it, I pick out the facts, and mentally create a working set of information. I typically create an assessment long before the end of most articles on not only the content but the author, usually it is along the lines of:

Is your article factually accurate? When writing is not factually accurate the author loses all credibility. This point includes qualification of statistics and sampling methods; if left out I completely ignore the statistic as invalid usually.

Does the writing flow? If it flows well and uses advanced vocabulary correctly, the author is lent more credibility.

Does the author over represent their supporting facts/examples? If so, I get bored and skip large portions, usually to the assessment.

In my own writing I try to be as succinct as possible though I often fail as I tend to take the position of instructor in my writing.

 

[Leaded Wings]

A very prominent thing I have observed of my writing is, in a nutshell, that I take it it from an extremely unconventional angle right from the get-go. (Extrapolating) The vast majority of writing instances I've found myself in require me to prove a specific point (essays, etc.) Yet my methods of choosing which point to prove do not stem from a foundation of long-lasting morals, they stem from whichever point I see to be the most intellectually abundant. In other words, there are very few topics that I have strong opinions toward, all others are up in the air, giving me the ability to back the opinion that would yield a better, more thoughtful essay without regard to my standing beliefs. I determine which opinion to back by thinking up arguments for each of the options, and going with the one that I have the best argument for. This may make me seem somewhat cold, but I believe it is therapeutic. It is my understanding that many other INTPs are like me, only having a few concrete beliefs, and being neutral about many other things, not giving them much thought. I think my writing style challenges me to establish beliefs for many different topics, or at least pay attention and think about them. I believe INTPs are gifted with a great open-mindedness, but we sometimes fail to take advantage of that gift by simply not caring about a lot of things. To conclude, when you look at a complete essay of mine, you won't notice anything extraordinarily different (though I like to think I write well), for the difference can't be seen in writing.

As a side note, this method of writing works exceedingly well in regard to academics. Your teacher/professor doesn't give a damn about what you actually believe, all he/she can see is your work. I'm in 10th grade now and it's worked like a charm.

 

[Grayman]

I thought it would be interesting to ask whether INTPs share any core writing style characteristics?

Your comment has a question mark?

I agree fully on your writing style. However, if we are talking about a forum argument I think we should add some things.

Start with a summary of what you want to achieve with the argument, the rules of the argument, and your position whether objective or subjective on the argument.

If examples must be given then give multiple examples that run on different angles so that reader knows what is your are saying through relating the examples.

Answer your own OP:
Give supporting data if you make a claim. Give multiple links to statistical data but never other peoples opinions, even if professional, unless that is the subject of the original argument.

wait for response...

respond....

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Win!

or

Lose!