How to Be a Good Person Essay

What does it mean to be a good person? The essay below aims to answer this question. It focuses on the qualities of a good person.

Introduction

What does it mean to be a good person, qualities of good person, works cited.

The term “good” has relative meanings depending on the person who is defining it. Several qualities can be used to define what constitutes a good person. However, there are certain basic qualities that are used to define a good person. They include honesty, trust, generosity, compassion, empathy, humility, and forgiveness (Gelven 24).

These qualities are important because they promote peaceful coexistence among people because they prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. A good person is fair and just to all and does not judge people. He or she is nice to everyone regardless of religion, race, social and economic class, health status, or physical state (Gelven 25).

A good person treats other people with respect, care, and compassion. Respect shows that an individual values and views the other person as a worthy human being who deserves respect. Compassion is a quality that enables people to identify with other people’s suffering (Gelven 27). It motivates people to offer help in order to alleviate the suffering of others. A good person has compassion for others and finds ways to help people who are suffering. Showing compassion for the suffering makes them happy.

It promotes empathy, understanding, and support. In addition, good people are forgiving. They do not hold grudges and let go of anger that might lead them to hurt others. They think positively and focus their thoughts on things that improve their relationships (Needleman 33). They avoid thinking about past mistakes or wrongs done by others. Instead, they think of how they can forgive and move on.

A good person is honest and trustworthy. This implies that they avoid all situations that might hurt the other person, such as telling lies, revealing secrets, and gossiping (Needleman 34). As such, their character or personality cannot be doubted because they do not harbor hidden intentions.

They act in open ways that reveal their true characters and personalities. On the other hand, good people are kind and respectful. They offer help voluntarily and work hard to improve the well-being of other people. In addition, they treat all people equally despite their social, physical, or sexual orientations. Good people do not discriminate, hate, deny people their rights, steal, lie, or engage in corrupt practices (Tuan 53).

Good people behave courageously and view the world as a fair and beautiful place to live in (Needleman 40). They view the world as a beautiful place that offers equal opportunities to everyone. Good people believe that humans have the freedom to either make the world a better or worse place to live in. They act and behave in ways that improve and make the world a better place.

For example, they conserve the environment by keeping it clean for future generations. A popular belief holds that people who conserve the environment are not good but just environmental enthusiasts. However, that notion is incorrect and untrue. People conserve the environment because of their goodness. They think not only about themselves but also about future generations (Tuan 53). They are not self-centered and mean but generous and caring.

Good people are characterized by certain qualities that include trust, honesty, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, respect, courage, and goodwill. They do not steal, lie, discriminate, or deny people their rights. They think about others’ welfare and advocate for actions that make the world a better place. They promote justice and fairness because they view everyone as a deserving and worthy human being.

Gelven, Michael. The Risk of Being: What it Means to be Good and Bad . New York: Penn State Press, 1997. Print.

Needleman, Jacob. Why Can’t We be good? New York: Penguin Group US, 2007. Print.

Tuan, Yi-Fu. Human Goodness . New York: University of Wisconsin Press, 2008. Print.

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "How to Be a Good Person Essay." October 28, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/what-it-means-to-be-a-good-person/.

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A Conscious Rethink

15 Qualities That Are At The Core Of Every ‘Good’ Person

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pensive young woman with slight smile - illustrating a good person

What makes a person “good” in the grand scheme of things?

There are some traits considered to be good by just about everyone. There are also cultural variables as to what symbolizes and expresses goodness in a person. 

Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to determine what they feel are the qualities of a “good person.”

When we’re asked to explain why some of our heroes are (or were) sincerely good people, many of these traits will make the list.

1. Prudence

A good person is a prudent person. Prudence is the ability to determine whether or not a particular action is a good (or appropriate) idea at that specific point in time. It’s considered to be one of the four cardinal virtues, derived originally from Plato’s Republic .

Prudence also refers to a situation in which you have the strength to do something, but choose not to. Or, when you could do something that’s self-indulgent in the moment, but choose to err on the side of better judgment for later.

An example of this would be refraining from spending money on games and junk food because you need to save enough to cover your portion of the rent and bills. You may spend a bit on a small indulgence, but choose responsibility over temporary amusement or gratification.

2. Temperance

Although most people interpret temperance as being abstinence from something, what it actually means is moderation. 

Having temperance means finding the middle path, and balancing the self in the face of any situation. It encompasses self-discipline and self-awareness. After all, you have to know your own abilities as well as your own limits in order to find the moderate zone between them. 

For example, embodying a sense of diplomacy as a moderator means finding that magical middle ground between expressing what you need to say, with the needs and views of others around you.

In other people, temperance might mean accepting a small drink when toasting with others, but refraining from drinking to inebriation. Or thoroughly enjoying a slice of cake without overindulging.

When you are balanced and measured in your approaches to everything, you can experience and understand all without being overwhelmed by it.

Good people often show courage. Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but rather the ability to take action even though you feel afraid. It is knowing that there is a difficult, potentially dangerous task ahead of you, but doing it because you know it needs to be done.

This one goes along with several of the other qualities listed here. For example, it often takes courage to act with integrity.

Courage can take many forms, from trying a new, challenging exercise to standing up to an intimidating person, or facing something that scares you.

The first level of courage is doing something even though it terrifies you.

The last level is being a calm, inspirational force to others, while feeling the same fear that they’re experiencing. 

For example, a high-ranking officer in a WWI trench was a bastion of calm and confidence, while the troops around him were quaking with fear. A young Private asked him how he was so calm, and the officer replied that he had to be in order to keep morale up. Additionally, he knew that the soldiers on the other side were also afraid, and that was oddly reassuring to him.

4. Compassion

Being compassionate isn’t just about understanding someone else’s pain. It’s also the desire to help alleviate it. One can look at a person and see that they’re suffering (sympathy) and then walk on by. But when we want to do what we can to help, then that’s compassion in action.

Ultimately, the basic element of compassion is kindness. We want to give of our own abilities to help another being who may be suffering. We can have compassion for people, animals, trees, rivers… anything that seems to be in distress that we can help to lessen.

The greatest mastery of compassion is when the one you’re trying to help is hurting you, and yet you’re still offering them assistance in a loving, gentle way. An adult may rail against you, or the hurt animal may bite you, but you still try to help.

Compassion means that you understand another’s pain without compounding it, offering what the other needs, and giving of yourself, regardless of the outcome.

5. Generosity

Generosity is a quality often associated with a good person. When we have a surplus of something, it’s important to share with others who have less. Even if we don’t have a surplus, it’s important to share with others. 

We always have something that we can share or give to those around us. This doesn’t have to be monetary wealth or physical objects, either. People who don’t have a lot of money can still be immensely generous with their time, for example. They can volunteer with the elderly or doing charity work. Or they can teach their skills to others who would like to learn from them. 

Being generous means that you’re giving with the heart, without any schemes to receive anything in return, or control those you are being generous with. These are gifts freely given, not because you think you’ll benefit in turn.

Quite often, those who have the least are the most generous toward others, because they know what it’s like to have nothing. They have the biggest hearts, and tend to be the most willing to help others in need.

6. Patience

This is one of the qualities that many admire, but it is also one of the most difficult to put into practice. It’s possible that this is because few of use are actually patient by nature. 

We tend to want things on our terms, on our own time. As a result, we get frustrated and annoyed when things don’t play out the way we think they should.

This is why it’s important to remember that the world doesn’t revolve around our wants and our schedule. There are billions of other players on this chess board, all engaged in an intricate dance. As such, we need to acknowledge and respect that we are all cogs in the machine, and our time to turn will come when it’s meant to.

Furthermore, it’s important to be aware that a lack of patience can cause a great deal of harm. People can only do their best, and when we’re impatient with those who aren’t as capable as we are, we can make them feel truly horrible about themselves. Or worse, they may end up traumatized and damaged. 

This is why it’s important to be patient with the grandmother or the child when crossing the road in a hurry, because they can’t keep up with you. If you’re not, and you walk away quickly instead of helping, they may end up getting hurt. 

Patience means that you can remain calm and measured in your responses, even when irritated. To not throw a tantrum when forced to wait. And to not complain unduly when things are taking longer than expected.

7. Respect 

Respect is undoubtedly a characteristic of a good person. When we talk about respect, we’re encompassing various aspects thereof. This includes respect for other people, self-respect, respect for life, for nature, etc.

Tolerance, esteem, appreciation, and recognition are just a few aspects of respect that can come into play.

For example, we can respect nature by not throwing garbage around or polluting water supplies. We can respect housemates by acknowledging the fact that they live their lives differently than we do, so we don’t project our behavioral expectations onto them.

We can respect our bodies by eating well and getting plenty of exercise, and show self-respect by not engaging in activities that would make us feel shame later. 

We acknowledge boundaries – our own and other people’s – and don’t overstep them for the sake of self-indulgence. We acknowledge that every individual is perfect, sovereign, and sacred. As such, we don’t put others down or mistreat them. Instead, we pay attention when they speak, honor their words, heed their personal choices.

It doesn’t take much effort to help others feel seen and heard, but it makes a world of difference to them when we do so.

8. Tolerance

Tolerance means accepting that others may think, behave, or live differently than we are, without trying to change their ways to suit our own preferences.

In simplest terms: live and let live.

Seek to understand your contemporaries in other cultures, races, religions, and creeds, rather than attacking them for their differences from you.

This is the difference between people who talk about how tolerant they are, but want to lead the next witch hunt.

In the 1600s it was witches. In the 1800s it was Amerindians. In the 1930s it was Jews. It is what it is today, and in 200 years, there will be another target group for people’s ire. 

Don’t jump on that bandwagon. We’re all better than that.

9. Integrity

A good person will act with integrity. Integrity means doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching. It’s holding to your individual moral and ethical convictions despite other people’s opinions and influences. Especially when it’s difficult to do so.

For example, let’s say that you’re working on a construction site and you find a precious artifact. You’re only making minimum wage at this gig, and this is a centuries-old gold ring buried in the mud. Nobody saw it except you. If you sold it, you’d likely make a ton of money. But you also recognize that it has historical significance.

Your sense of integrity would have you report the ring to the local coroner or Finds liaison officer so they can investigate it. Sure, you might get a reward for it – likely less than you’d have made for pawning it – but you know it’s the right thing to do. You didn’t have to, but you did it anyway.

10. Commitment

This one goes along with integrity, but expands upon it differently. 

Commitment means that you’ve held to your word, even if it was difficult to do so. This might mean sticking with a job or project that you absolutely hate because you promised someone that you would do so. Or it could be remaining faithful to a partner, despite your own non-monogamous leanings, because you gave your word that you’d be loyal.

You’ll see something through, simply because you made a promise.

A person who keeps their commitments is someone who can be trusted and relied upon. When you’re known as someone who keeps their word, you’re incredibly valued and respected in your community, as well as among your friends and loved ones.

11. Honesty

Honesty is often expressed as a quality of a good person. After all, if you discovered that someone lied to you, could you ever trust them again? If they lied to you that time, what would stop them from lying to you about everything and anything else?

People respect and appreciate honesty, especially when it’s difficult. For example, if and when we mess up horribly at work, but own that screw-up, admit to it, and take action to remedy it. Our employers and peers will respect us a lot more than if we try to cover it up or cast blame on others.

Furthermore, many people even appreciate honesty when it’s a bit hurtful. When someone is honest about a difficult topic or situation, it means that they care enough not to betray the other’s trust by lying about it. 

Of course, a lot depends on how a truth is shared. We can be gentle in our tone and the words we choose, rather than being cruel or scathing. How a truth is delivered can make the difference between long-term positive change, and trauma.

12. Humility

You know the type of person who’s always bragging about how awesome they are? Humility is the opposite of that.

Humility is holding to the idea that no person is greater or lesser than any others, despite popularity, wealth, titles, or achievements.

Those who feel that they are better or more important than other people tend to treat others badly. Since they consider themselves to be special, they often expect better treatment, and to be allowed to belittle those around them.

In contrast, someone who remains humble treats everyone around them with care and respect. They don’t tell others about all the wonderful charitable things they’ve done: they just do them. Their actions are for the greater good, not for the acknowledgement and praise they’ll receive from doing so.

13. Strength

The strength that makes a good person is mental and emotional rather than physical. Strength can be shown in a gentle way, albeit one that is unyielding. Look at Mahatma Gandhi and his hunger strike. It took immense strength to quash his own hunger, though agonizing, in order to work toward positive change. 

Hannibal and Marcus Aurelius showed immense strength of character in keeping everyone together while undertaking a massive journey. 

Anne Frank and Mother Teresa both showed tremendous strength in atrocious circumstances. Furthermore, their ability to love and care for others remained intact despite the horrors they witnessed and experienced.

You’ve likely noticed that strength and compassion, and strength and courage are linked. This is because strength is not always a projective virtue, but rather it’s an adaptive term. 

Strength is often a battery for many of the other qualities on this list. For example, you may show immense strength when you hold to integrity when everyone around you is doing something that goes against everything you believe in. Standing up for what you believe is right might be dangerous to you – perhaps even life threatening. As such, it takes immense strength of character and will to be true to yourself. 

There are many different types of love, despite the fact that only one word is used to encompass them in the Western world. We’re mostly familiar with romantic love, or the love felt between parents and children. But we can love humanity or nature with all our hearts as well. And we know that we love when we pour our energy toward other beings’ happiness, health, success, and freedom.

Some people mistake infatuation for love. Or possessiveness. Someone might love another person because they feel that the other person will give them what they need. Similarly, they might love a pet, or a house, or any other being or creature that brings them fulfillment. 

In contrast, when we truly love a person, our greatest wish is for their happiness. 

Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski covers this when he talks about “fish love.” What most people consider to be “love” is when their needs are fulfilled. Such as a man who eats a fish because he loves fish. This man loves the fish he’s eating so much that he took it out of the water, boiled it, and is eating it. He loves himself, and sees the fish as something that will fulfill his needs and wants.

If he truly loved the fish, he would encourage it to swim happily and lead a beautiful life. 

Real love isn’t a question of what we’re going to get from a situation or a person, but what we can give .

15. Self-awareness

You know in your gut when you’ve done wrong, or when you have done good.

If you ever do something and feel a twinge of shame or disgust with your actions, then you’re fully aware that you didn’t act in love or respect. Perhaps you did something sneaky for the sake of your own self-interests. Or the selfish altruism you displayed was far more for your own benefit than the other person’s.

In contrast, when you’ve done something that’s ethical and loving, you’ll feel an immense lightness of being. A warm glow will suffuse through you, and you might even get a bit choked up. You know that your actions will have long-reaching positive repercussions; like a glowing pebble thrown into a pond. Every ripple will carry light along with it.

Listen to this feeling when it speaks to you. Recognize it as your own inner compass, and allow it to lead you to the sincere goodness you’re capable of.

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About The Author

qualities of a good human essay

Finn Robinson has spent the past few decades travelling the globe and honing his skills in bodywork, holistic health, and environmental stewardship. In his role as a personal trainer and fitness coach, he’s acted as an informal counselor to clients and friends alike, drawing upon his own life experience as well as his studies in both Eastern and Western philosophies. For him, every day is an opportunity to be of service to others in the hope of sowing seeds for a better world.

Good Qualities in a Person: 150+ Positive Character Traits

A gradient of colors representing positive character traits

Understanding and appreciating the qualities that make us human can be a journey of self-discovery, a tool for character development, or a compass for personal growth. 

Whether you’re a teacher nurturing these traits in your students, a mental health professional guiding your clients, a writer crafting compelling characters, or simply someone seeking to better understand yourself and others — this resource is for you.

At Good Good Good , we celebrate stories of good people making a positive difference in the world . So, it made sense for us to compile this guide of diverse vocabulary to describe the qualities of a good person.

Remember: No one person can have every good quality — but every person does have some good qualities. We each have an opportunity and an obligation to continue to grow and improve ourselves.

Like Maya Angelou said , “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

We’ve curated the most comprehensive list of positive character traits on the internet. From Adventurous to Zealous, this guide serves as a testament to the multifaceted dimensions of character that make us uniquely human.

Whether you’re utilizing this resource for yourself or others, we hope it brings value to your journey.

You might also like: List of Personality Traits | List of Positive Words To Describe Someone | List of Emotions | List of Mood Words | List of Positive Affirmations

Good Personality Traits To Describe Good People

  • Accountable
  • Adventurous
  • Anti-discriminatory
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  • Appreciative
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  • Collaborative
  • Communicative
  • Compassionate
  • Conscientious
  • Considerate
  • Constructive
  • Cooperative
  • Disciplined
  • Eco-conscious
  • Egalitarian
  • Emotionally Intelligent
  • Encouraging
  • Enthusiastic
  • Environmentally Friendly
  • Fashionable
  • Humanitarian
  • Imaginative
  • Independent
  • Individualistic
  • Intelligent
  • Interesting
  • Leader-like
  • Lighthearted
  • Negotiating
  • Non-discriminatory 
  • Non-exploitative
  • Non-violent
  • Open-minded
  • Persevering
  • Philanthropic
  • Problem-solving
  • Progressive
  • Resourceful
  • Responsible
  • Self-confident
  • Self-controlled
  • Self-disciplined
  • Self-reliant
  • Socially Conscious
  • Sustainable
  • Sympathetic
  • Team-oriented
  • Trustworthy
  • Understanding
  • Willing to Learn

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student opinion

Are You a Good Person?

What makes someone a good person? Do you strive to be one?

qualities of a good human essay

By Jeremy Engle

Find all our Student Opinion questions here.

Has anyone ever said that you were a good person? Is being good something you strive to be or aspire toward?

In “ How to Be Good ,” Simran Sethi sought out a therapist, a scholar, a monk, a C.E.O. and others to learn about bringing our best to everything we do, every day. She begins by exploring the meaning of goodness:

Rachana Kamtekar, a professor of philosophy at Cornell University, explained goodness by way of ancient Greek philosophy: “For Plato, goodness is the same as happiness. We desire appetitively because of our bodies. We desire emotionally because of our sense of self in contact with other human beings. And we also have rational desires to understand how to do what’s best. Our goodness requires all of these capacities to be developed and then expressed.” This can be a lifelong process — something that is never perfectly realized but should always be struggled for. “Goodness is impermanent and organic, meaning it can progress as well as regress,” said Chan Phap Dung, a senior monk at the Plum Village meditation center founded by the Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. And that is why, he said, we have to be steadfast in caring for ourselves and the world at large. “In politics and culture, in the media and corporations, we have cultivated conditions that have produced a lot of violence, discrimination and despair for which there is a collective level of responsibility.” Because many of us have a complicated relationship with what it means to be good, it can help to reframe the subject and widen it. “Some people flinch when they ponder whether or not they or others are ‘good’ because the words ‘good’ and ‘goodness’ have long been associated with obedience,” the author and former “Dear Sugars” podcast host Cheryl Strayed shared in response to a query from The Times. “I reject that definition,” she said. “Goodness is expressed through lovingkindness, generosity of spirit and deed, and the thoughtful consideration of others. It can be as simple as offering to let someone ahead of you in line and as complicated as making yearslong sacrifices of your freedom because someone you love needs your help. Over the course of a lifetime, most of us do both.”

Ms. Sethi shared the insights of a variety of people who think a lot about what it means to be good. Here are four of their suggestions:

Be kind. Harriet Lerner, psychologist and author “Kindness is at the center of what it means to be good. It may require very little from us, or the opposite. It may require words and action, or restraint and silence. Everything that can be said can be said with kindness. Every tough position we have to take can be taken with kindness. No exceptions. Being a good person requires that we work toward that unrealized world where the dignity and integrity of all human beings, all life, are honored and respected.” Pay attention. Brother Chan Phap Dung, senior monk, Plum Village “In the Buddhist tradition, the training starts with learning how to stop and come back to the present moment and enjoy our breathing. We stop to recognize what is happening within us and around us: our feelings, our thinking, whether our body is relaxed or in tension, who is there in front of us or what are we doing. With repetition, we begin to see and understand ourselves better — and choose to do one thing rather than another.” Ask hard questions. The Rev. William J. Barber II, civil rights activist “As a public theologian, I tend to look at what has lifted us when we found ourselves at our lowest — what has called us to a better place. How are we, as a nation and as a people, using life itself to create good for the poor and broken and captive and for those who are made to feel unaccepted? We must constantly raise that question as we live life — seeking to answer it not only individually, but together. We need to embrace those deepest moral values that call us to, first and foremost, seek love, truth, justice and concern for others.” Hold yourself accountable. Rachana Kamtekar, professor of philosophy, Cornell University “You have to know what your different motivations are, know how strong they are and if you can get some of them to pull against the others . I was a smoker in my 20s and 30s. Like many smokers, I resolved to quit on multiple occasions. When I was 40, I told my son and his buddies that I had been a smoker and had quit. I knew if I ever smoked again, I was going to have to tell them. My aversion to those kids thinking of me as a smoker swamped any desire I had to smoke. When I added to my rational resolution this prospect of something like shame — that I was going to have to face these kids and say, “I am a smoker” — it changed.”

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

Do you feel you are a good person? Why or why not? Are there ways you wish you were better?

Cheryl Strayed said that goodness “can be as simple as offering to let someone ahead of you in line and as complicated as making yearslong sacrifices of your freedom because someone you love needs your help.” Do you agree? What is your definition of goodness?

Which insights and suggestions from the article resonated with you most? Explain why.

Where do your ideas about goodness, and morals more generally, come from? Have they been shaped by friends and family, culture or religious beliefs?

Has anyone ever said that you were a good person? If yes, what do you think they meant? How did that make you feel?

Nick Hornby said, “I think all one can ever really do is to try and keep goodness close to you as an ambition — make sure that it’s one of the ways in which you think.” Is goodness an important goal for you? Do you strive to be good?

What suggestions would you give to others who seek to be good?

Students 13 and older are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Jeremy Engle joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2018 after spending more than 20 years as a classroom humanities and documentary-making teacher, professional developer and curriculum designer working with students and teachers across the country. More about Jeremy Engle

Susanna Newsonen

The Guide to Being a Good Human Being

Ten steps to being likable and loved..

Posted March 24, 2023 | Reviewed by Tyler Woods

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  • Never underestimate the power of a genuine smile.

Source: Lesly Juarez/Unsplash

Being a human is an incredible thing—but it's not always easy. What you should or shouldn't do isn't always clear, and it can leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed. You weren't exactly given a guidebook for life at school, even though you might have learned to count. It turns out you need a lot more than that to be a good human being.

The reality is that we are a real mishmash of people and cultures across this beautiful planet. In fact, it's exactly that which makes our planet so wonderfully diverse. Yet, there is one thing that we all have in common: We like to feel good. Hence, I've compiled a list of things that most (if not all) humans appreciate.

Below you will find your guide to being a good human being and behaving in ways that make others feel good, too.

1. Be kind.

In a world where you can be anything, be kind. To yourself and to others. Both offline and online. You never know how much that other person might need your kindness. Often, it's more than you think.

In our noisy world, it's sometimes hard to feel heard. Be the person that makes someone feel heard. Really listen to everything they have to say. Ask them how they are and listen to their answer fully. Let them speak as long as they want to.

3. Be non-judgmental.

With yourself and with others. Everyone is doing the best they can with the knowledge they have, including you. Adopt an attitude of tolerance and accept that we are all different. That's what makes each one of us so unique and life so interesting.

4. Support people's decisions.

Even when you might not agree with them. Trust that they are doing what they feel is right for them, and respect that. Everyone has the right to live a life true to them. Everyone has the right to make their own choices.

5. Be someone's biggest cheerleader.

You can never have too many supporters. Encourage your people to go after their dreams and support them in their journey in any way you can. Let them know that they are not alone. Let them know that you are there for them.

6. Be polite.

This seems like an obvious one, but it's amazing how rude you can come across when sending an email or message in a moment of frustration. If you're in a negative place, don't send anything. Write a draft if you need to, but do not send it until you've had a chance to look at it when you're feeling good and calm.

The same applies to spoken word. Take a breath before you lash out. Take a moment to re-center so that you can approach the challenge from a better place.

7. Live a life that's true to you.

There are too many people living lives that someone else told them to live. Don't be one of them. Live a life that is true to you. Live the life that you're yearning to live. When you do, you'll inspire others to do the same.

You've only got one shot at life—and, let's face it, none of us know how long it will be. So make the most out of it. Starting today.

8. Take care of yourself.

If you don't take care of yourself, no one else will. You are responsible for your emotional, physical, and mental well-being. Take charge of it and take good care of it. That's the only way you will show up as your best possible self. And the world deserves to see you at your best.

9. Take care of others.

Sometimes people aren't prepared to ask for help—so offer it regularly. The people who need it the most are often the ones who are trying to put a strong front out to the world. Don't be fooled by this, and offer your help to those you think might be in need of it.

10. Smile if you feel it.

qualities of a good human essay

Never underestimate the power of a genuine smile. It will warm the recipient's heart and make them want to smile too. As a bonus, you'll feel better too. Everyone who smiles does.

Susanna Newsonen

Susanna Newsonen , MAPP, is a philosopher and writer. Her mission is to spread hope and love, one reader at a time.

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13 Human Qualities You Must Have to Succeed in Work and Life

In their book Put Your Mindset to Work: The One Asset You Really Need to Win and Keep the Job You Love , James Reed and Paul G. Stoltz say:

“Your mindset is about what you see, think, and believe. … It is the internal lens through which you see and navigate life . Mindset influences everything you see, as well as everything you do.”

Mindset is who you really are at your core. It’s your habitual way of thinking. While it’s not easy to change, the purpose of life is to evolve and become better a human being. So you should think about these human qualities from time to time and always endeavor to do better. Your mindset is what really differentiates you from your peers. If you work hard at developing what Jo Wong likes to call your human qualities, you’ll set yourself up for success in work and in life.

“Men acquire a particular quality by constantly acting in a particular way.”—Aristotle

Having the right mindset can be a competitive advantage when you’re seeking employment or advancement. According to Reed and Stoltz:

“Given the choice between someone with the desired mindset who lacks the complete skillset for the job and someone with the complete skillset who lacks the desired mindset, a total of 96 percent of the employers surveyed picked mindset over skillset as the key element in those that they seek and retain.”

These employers also believe that it’s much more likely that a person with the right mindset will be able to develop the required skillset than that a person with all the hard skills would develop the right mindset. Plus, the tactical skills that jobs require change over time, while the desired mindset is a constant. This is especially true of user experience jobs. The tactical skills that it takes to be a UX professional are forever evolving.

Essential Qualities of UX Professionals

There are several qualities that it is especially important for UX professionals to have. These qualities are at the core of what makes UX professionals successful: empathy, intuition, creativity, passion, and the desire to learn throughout their career.

1. Be Empathetic

empathy —“The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.” — Oxford Dictionaries

First and foremost, UX professionals must be empathetic. As a UX professional, the primary focus of your work is on the wants and needs of the people who use the products that you create. Empathy enables you to understand other people’s motivations, needs, and emotions more deeply, and you can use that understanding to create better products for them. Having empathy lets you accurately perceive people’s needs—without your own lens introducing any distortions or occlusions. Whether you’re a UX researcher, strategist, or designer, empathy is an essential quality for you to develop. Being empathetic lets you look at things from different people’s perspectives and internalize what you see.

Having empathy—whether for colleagues, family, or friends—comes from focusing on someone else’s needs, struggles, and feelings. It requires that you open your heart to them and put their needs before your own. That you be fully with them in the moment. That you look deeply into their eyes and really see them for who they are. You need to be open to many different types of people from many different cultures. But you can’t connect with people when you’re feeling worried, defensive, angry, frightened, or ashamed.

“Empathy is about standing in someone else ’ s shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place.”—Daniel H. Pink

“If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person ’ s point of view and see things from that person ’ s angle, as well as from your own.”—Henry Ford

2. Be Intuitive

intuition —“The ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.”— Oxford Dictionaries

Having intuition is being open to the mysterious workings of your own mind—seeing what is or what might be clearly in your mind’s eye. Sometimes, through intuition, holistic solutions to problems may arise fully formed—or very nearly so—from your subconscious mind. At other times, your intuition may give you just the seed of a great idea. Intuition lets you draw connections between diverse inputs without conscious thought. The effort lies in gathering the relevant data for your subconscious mind to work on.

Intuition often plays a strong role in decision making. You rely on intuition when you must make decisions and take action on them very quickly, the problem or the solution is ambiguous, or there's no precedent to follow.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”—Albert Einstein

“You have to trust in something—your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”—Steve Jobs

“Sometimes making a decision is hard, not because it is unpopular, but because it comes from your gut and defies a technical rationale. Much has been written about the mystery of gut, but it’s really just pattern recognition, isn’t it? You’ve seen something so many times you  just know  what’s going on this time. The facts may be incomplete or the data limited, but the situation feels very, very familiar to you.”—Jack Welch

3. Be Creative

creativity —“The use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.”— Oxford Dictionaries

Being creative is allowing your intuition to reveal possibilities to you and following them in the moment—in other words, it’s being in flow , which Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi defines in his book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, as follows:

“The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. Optimal experience is thus something we make happen. … [Flow is] a state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience is so enjoyable that people will continue to do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it. … [Flow lets people] achieve a joyous, self-forgetful involvement through concentration, which in turn is made possible by a discipline of the body.”

“Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and his fellow researchers began researching flow after Csikszentmihalyi became fascinated by artists who would essentially get lost in their work. Artists, especially painters, got so immersed in their work that they would disregard their need for food, water, and even sleep. Thus, the origin of research on the theory of flow came about when Csikszentmihalyi tried to understand this phenomenon experienced by these artists.”

Being in flow is a sort of meditative bliss state, in which your mind is more fully concentrated than at just about any other time. Great ideas come to you when you lose yourself in your work. Some of the best creative experiences come from working in collaboration with others—especially when you can achieve a flow state together. Flow brings joyfulness to your work.

Flow is all about focus, which is the antithesis of the monkey-mind nature of most people’s experience of the Web—with the mind jumping quickly from one thing to another. Just as with meditation, you can get better at calming your mind and connecting with your creativity through practice, practice, practice.

The source of creativity is your imagination. When creating, you synthesize all of the ideas that you’ve taken in from myriad sources and, magically, all of those inputs fall into place, forming a cohesive whole. This is your intuition at work.

All creativity involves improvisation—whether you’re designing user experiences, acting on a stage, jamming with a band, doing some form of creative writing, or making up a new recipe.

“To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle requires creative imagination.”—Albert Einstein

“Creativity is just connecting things. … Creative people … [are] able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things.”—Steve Jobs

“The organizations of the future will increasingly depend on the creativity of their members to survive. Great Groups offer a new model in which the leader is an equal among Titans. In a truly creative collaboration, work is pleasure, and the only rules and procedures are those that advance the common cause.”—Warren Bennis

“Creativity is contagious.”—Albert Einstein

4. Be Passionate

passion —“An intense desire or enthusiasm for something.”— Oxford Dictionaries

Being an effective UX professional requires great drive, enthusiasm, and focus. To sustain the level of effort and concentration that the work demands, you must have a passion for your work. With passion, your work ceases to feel like work. Your passion keeps you focused on your goals, enables you to get things done and take risks when necessary, and makes it possible for you to realize your vision. Always strive to do great work! Don’t settle for less. Don’t compromise on quality.

Love your work and you’ll have the motivation to continually hone your skills and expand your areas of competency, as you must forever do in this field. When you work with passion, you can reach your full potential.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”—Steve Jobs

“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”—Aristotle

“You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.”—Steve Jobs

5. Be a Life-long Learner

learning —“The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught.”— Oxford Dictionaries

Being a life-long learner is a quality of successful people. Having the motivation and the ability to learn and grow throughout your life is an essential quality in today’s fast-changing world—especially for UX professionals. You can learn through reading and deep reflection—but most of all you’ll learn through life experience. You can learn by questioning things—and asking the right questions enables you to solve problems. Often, you’ll learn from your mistakes, so life-long learning requires that you have the courage to keep taking risks.

In a field that is as broad and fast-changing as user experience, it’s important that you keep learning throughout your career. Sustaining your commitment to continuous learning takes curiosity about the world in which you live and a desire to improve your mind. The more you learn, the more you can contribute in the workplace and the more likely you’ll advance in your career.

“Learning is a life-long process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn.”—Peter Drucker

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”—Albert Einstein

Qualities of Effective Team Members

Qualities that make you more effective when working with other people or on teams include being a good listener, being persuasive, being responsible, and being a leader.

6. Be a Good Listener

listening —“[Taking] notice of and [acting] on what someone says; [responding] to advice or a request.”— Oxford Dictionaries

Listening well is the key to effective communication. Focusing on both what people say and how they say it ensures that you accurately receive the messages people communicate to you. Paying attention to their use of language, tone of voice, body language, gestures, and emotional affect increases the probability that you will be able to correctly interpret their meaning and understand what you hear. Listen for people’s ideas, not just to their words. When you listen well, you’ll experience fewer misunderstandings and make fewer mistakes.

Effective listening is especially important when doing user research. Having empathy, being a good listener, and using your intuition will together make you a superior researcher. Everyone opens up when someone listens to them attentively and shows avid interest in what they’re saying. When you really connect with research participants, you’ll learn more from them and understand what they’re saying better. Once you’ve listened well, following up with good questions demonstrates both that you’ve really heard someone and your interest in what they’ve said.

All too often, people are so eager to speak themselves that they don’t really listen to what others are saying. When people end up talking all at once, you can’t hear what anyone is saying. So being a good listener will set you above your peers who don’t listen well.

When you’re collaborating with a product team, you never know who will contribute the best ideas. So you must draw out all of your teammates and pay careful attention to what everyone says, listening with a laser-like focus to be sure that you take in everyone’s inputs.

7. Be Persuasive

persuasive —“Good at persuading someone to do or believe something through reasoning or the use of temptation.”— Oxford Dictionaries

As a UX professional, you must persuade others to embrace your ideas and follow your plans to get anything done. You have to persuade stakeholders to adopt your strategies and fund your projects, sell your design ideas to your design team and product team, and get developers to faithfully execute your designs and, thus, bring all of your hard work to fruition.

Your confidence in yourself and your ideas will help you to persuade others, as will your ability to make your case logically and use storytelling to provide supporting evidence. But always remain open to the ideas of others, too, and support the best ideas whatever their source. It doesn’t really matter who has the best ideas. To achieve success, what matters most is incorporating all of the best ideas into the design and, ultimately, the product.

There’s really only one way to get people to do what you want them to do, and that’s to persuade them that it’s what they want to do it. It’s a lot easier to do this when your design direction has grown out of other’s ideas, as well as your own; everyone on the team was part of the creative process; and the entire team has a sense of ownership of what you’ve created together.

“If you wish to win a man over to your ideas, first make him your friend.”—Abraham Lincoln

“If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect.”—Benjamin Franklin

“To be persuasive, we must be believable; to be believable, we must be credible; to be credible, we must be truthful.”—Edward R. Morrow

“Questions are often more effective than statements in moving others. … Since the research shows that, when the facts are on your side, questions are more effective than statements, don’t you think you should be pitching more with questions?”—Daniel H. Pink

8. Be Responsible and Kind

responsible —“Capable of being trusted.”— Oxford Dictionaries

kindness —“The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.”— Oxford Dictionaries

It’s essential that you do your best to meet your obligations to your colleagues. If you promise to do something, you should try very hard to fulfill that promise. Yes, sometimes things change—so it’s no longer desirable to move forward with something—or circumstances may prevent your doing something exactly when you said you’d do it. But in either of these cases, it’s your responsibility to discuss the problem with your colleagues and, together, determine the best way forward. There’s nothing quite as disappointing as relying on someone to do something and having them go incommunicado or disappear on you.

Don’t overcommit yourself. If you have a hard time saying no to people, you’re likely to set yourself up for failure. To prevent your disappointing people, avoid over-promising and under-delivering. If anything, you should do the opposite—that is, under-promise and overdeliver—but never deliberately under-promise in an attempt to make yourself look like a hero. That would just be dishonest. Nor should you make yourself look like a slacker by committing to doing too little work.

It’s important to be respectful of the people with whom you work. Treat your colleagues as you would like them to treat you. Being kind to one another makes the workplace a happy place to be, smooths the team’s interactions, and helps everyone to be highly productive. When your teammates are struggling, show them compassion and help them to get through tough times.

Demonstrating generosity toward the people with whom you work will set you apart from peers who are overly competitive or focused on self-advantage. Always share ideas and information freely with your teammates to enable them to do the best job they can do.

“Acting responsibly is not a matter of strengthening our reason, but of deepening our feelings for the welfare of others.”—Jostein Gaarder

“A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.”—Albert Einstein

9. Be a Leader

leadership —“The action of leading a group of people or an organization.” — Oxford Dictionaries

You don’t have to have any particular title to be a leader. Teammates typically share the responsibility for leading a team, and whoever has the necessary information and know-how to handle a particular situation takes the lead in handling it. If you have leadership qualities, you can function as a leader whenever a situation arises that requires that you take the lead, set the team’s direction, or make decisions. Those who are actually working in leadership roles must always take responsibility for leadership in their area of purview.

Great leaders set forth a vision and live up to it. They communicate their vision and goals with clarity and inspire their teams to meet them. There is always alignment between what they say and what they do. The best leaders are forward-looking, competent, intelligent, and broad-minded. Effective leaders model good human qualities for the people who work for them, including honesty, fairness, straightforwardness, dependability, cooperativeness, determination, imagination, ambition, courage, caring, maturity, loyalty, self-control, and independence. They care for the people who work for them, delegate responsibility to them, and support them in what they do. They praise publicly and, when necessary, criticize or reprimand in private.

“It’s not the absence of leadership potential that inhibits the development of more leaders; it’s the persistence of the myth that leadership can’t be learned. This haunting myth is a far more powerful deterrent to leadership development than is the nature of the person or the basics of the leadership process.”—James Kouzes and Barry Posner

"Good leaders make people feel that they’re at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning.”—Warren G. Bennis

“Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.”—Peter F. Drucker

“The leaders who work most effectively … understand their job to be to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don’t sidestep it, but ‘we’ gets the credit…. This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done.”—Peter F. Drucker

“Leadership comes from integrity—that you do whatever you ask others to do.”—Scott Berkun

“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” —Peter F. Drucker

Foundational Human Qualities

Qualities that form the foundation of all other human qualities include honesty, integrity, courage, self-awareness, and wholeheartedness. These qualities define who we are as human beings.

10. Be Honest and Have Integrity

honesty —“The quality of being honest,” or “free of deceit and untruthfulness; sincere.”— Oxford Dictionaries

integrity—“ The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”— Oxford Dictionaries

Being honest means telling the truth and being straightforward and open with people. A very wise man once said, “Tell the truth, but never a harsh truth.” People with personal integrity always try to do the right thing, regardless of whether anyone would ever know what they’ve done. They have a strong moral compass. It takes courage to do the right thing whatever the consequences. Integrity is a valuable quality in everyone, but it’s vital in leaders. Your honesty and integrity will engender trust in others.

“In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”—Warren Buffet

11. Be Courageous

courageous —“Not deterred by danger or pain; brave.”— Oxford Dictionaries

Having courage gives you the tenacity to work through issues and disagreements without compromising your principles. Don’t be afraid to speak out and make your opinions known—particularly if you’re the lone voice representing user experience. Master your fears and insecurities and take a stand. Live up to your values. Do the right thing. Often, you’ll derive courage from the need to stand up for others—whether users, colleagues, or the people who work for you.

You must have the courage of your convictions. For example, if you truly believe that you’ve made the right decision, don’t be dissuaded from following through on it— unless someone makes salient arguments against that course of action that truly persuade you that you should change your decision.

In their “Sleepwalking…” presentation, Dan Szuc and Jo Wong included this wonderful quotation on courage from Maya Angelou:

“Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.”

“The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.”—Albert Einstein

“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”—Steve Jobs

12. Be Self-Aware

self-aware —“[Having] conscious knowledge of one’s own character, feelings, motives, and desires.”— Oxford Dictionaries

Self-awareness—knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are and acknowledging what you have yet to learn—requires mindfulness and deep reflection on your thoughts, your emotions, your motives in your interactions with others, and what is happening in your life. It is a valuable quality that everyone should cultivate, but it’s an especially valuable quality in leaders.

When you don’t know the answer to a question or the right solution for a problem, or you’ve made a mistake, don’t be afraid to admit it. Other people are usually aware of your ignorance, weakness, or mistake anyway, so trying to hide your deficiencies just shows a lack of integrity and inevitably results in the loss of their trust and respect. In contrast, admitting your weaknesses increases your credibility and engenders trust. Plus, by acknowledging that you need help, you’ll receive the help that you need and achieve a successful outcome.

As Chris Musselwhite, CEO and Head Product Designer of Discovery Learning Inc. wrote in his article “Self-Awareness and the Effective Leader,” for Inc.com:

“When you acknowledge what you have yet to learn, you’re modeling that, in your organization, it’s okay to admit you don’t have all the answers, to make mistakes, and most importantly, to ask for help. These are all characteristics of an organization that is constantly learning and springboards to innovation and agility—two hallmarks of high-performing organizations.”

13. Be Wholehearted

wholehearted —“Showing or characterized by complete sincerity and commitment.”— Oxford Dictionaries

Being wholehearted is the quality that allows you to embrace all of the other virtuous human qualities that I’ve described in this article.

In her book Daring Greatly , Brené Brown writes about having the courage to form deep connections with other people and live a more wholehearted life. She says:

“Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. … The main concern of Wholehearted men and women is living a life defined by courage, compassion, and connection. The Wholehearted identify vulnerability as the catalyst for courage, compassion, and connection. … Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the center, of meaningful human experiences.”

Brené Brown has defined ten “guideposts for Wholehearted living…:

  • Cultivating Authenticity: Letting Go of What People Think
  • Cultivating Self-Compassion: Letting Go of Perfectionism
  • Cultivating Resilient Spirit: Letting Go of Numbing and Powerlessness
  • Cultivating Gratitude and Joy: Letting Go of Scarcity and Fear of the Dark
  • Cultivating Intuition and Trusting Faith: Letting Go of the Need for Certainty
  • Cultivating Creativity: Letting Go of Comparison
  • Cultivating Play and Rest: Letting Go of Exhaustion as a Status Symbol and Productivity as Self-Worth
  • Cultivating Calm and Stillness: Letting Go of Anxiety as a Lifestyle
  • Cultivating Meaningful Work: Letting Go of Self-Doubt and ‘Supposed To’
  • Cultivating Laughter, Song, and Dance: Letting Go of Being Cool and ‘Always in Control’”

In Conclusion

34 comments.

Great article and very thought provoking! And I enjoyed Daniel’s workshop in UXPA London, too. Something that came up for me during the workshop, especially as we are lucky enough to work in UX, was also the need to inject a little more fun into our daily work lives, something that Randy Pausch advocated in his poignant inspirational last lecture .
Hi Pabini, I really enjoyed the information in this article and the way it was structured with supporting quotes from various past and present great minds. The gradual seeping in of eastern philosophy and more futurist/intuitive co-creation ideas into business lingo as a norm is pleasurable to see. I’m wondering, how would you recommend we approach these concepts when it comes to dealing with a business that has not yet embraced this way of interaction and leans towards more corporate and perhaps clinical business operations? Thanks, Miriam
Extraordinary and facts…!!!!!
Hi Miriam—Thanks! Sorry for not replying sooner. I was traveling. Indeed, this is good to see. A business like the one you’ve described is unlikely to fully appreciate the value that User Experience can provide. Whether we’re talking about employees or users, it’s important to treat people well and give them what they need—in the case of employees, what they need to be effective in the workplace. Business and User Experience are in no way antithetical to one another. Providing great product user experiences is good for business. Creating happy, highly collaborative workplaces is also good for business. So communicate the business benefits of cultures that adopt the sort of mindset that I’ve described—or, in contrast, enumerate the costs of the painpoints in a culture that isn’t functioning synergistically.
Hi Abi—Thanks! I’m glad you had the opportunity to experience Dan’s workshop. For those who want to do great work, working should be a pleasurable experience. In fact, working in close collaboration with a great team is pure joy! Thanks for sharing the link.
It’s a disgrace that most of the self-assigned UX specialists like me don’t even bother to think about these 13 essential qualities of human character. The problem is lying deep inside, and we’re playing the blame-game by raising fingers to others. Sigh! I suppose mentioning the effect of socio-economy over human nature could bring an extra dimension to this piece. I’m from India and would really like to attend seminars on UX /UI development one day.
Hello Partha Too true. Most people—and companies for that matter—get so caught up in the day-to-day rituals of business as usual that they rarely think of deeper matters—or look for the underlying reasons for their challenges. One reason that I enjoy hanging out with UX professionals is that many of us do think more deeply on important matters. We all need to look both within and without to truly understand our experiences and, when we make mistakes, take responsibility for them.
Thanks because I know this will really help me in my work.
Hi, Inculcate these.
Thanks for the very well-crafted article. Unless a person can understand the pain of the end user, he or she will not be able to provide the right solutions. The 13 points mentioned here will help being a good person first; secondly, a good UX Architect.
This information is very good and useful to me because I am having a great problem and facing the problem, so it is the guideline to me.
These are good qualities. These should be read once in a while, but cannot be followed strictly except with difficulty. One is okay, as per the situation, it must work.
Thanks for your comments, everyone. It is true that achieving these qualities is not easy—especially the foundational human qualities—but we should always strive toward them. To quote a great man: “Arise! Awake! And stop not till the goal is reached.”
Thank you very much for the concise, specific, and accurate qualities which are most essential for a successful person. In today’s competitive world, the quality of life decides your happiness and prosperity.
This information is so true and clear. I am sure I am going to be much benefitted. Thanks to all those who contributed.
Very nice and helpful article.
I liked your article. It is useful for me.
Hey, All of this is very helpful, but I find it’s missing one key quality: commitment! There is a huge difference between being committed and being passionate. I find they are two very different things—especially at the Web application development company where I work. People are passionate, but as soon as work hours are over, that passion fades. While someone who is committed tends to stay on even after work hours, and even when not at work, finds ways to build the company up. At my work place, that’s what we look for, not a full commitment, but some form of it.
Thanks for your comment, Christopher! I totally agree with you that commitment is essential. For me, passion comprehends commitment, but that viewpoint might be somewhat subjective. I work long hours and think about a project incessantly when I’m passionate about the work I’m doing and totally aligned with the goals my company is pursuing. Passion and alignment engender commitment.
Like your words.
All these things really matter. Do not change yourself for others. If you do, you’ll have to act throughout your life. Good will happen if we don’t do anything that our inner mind doesn’t want. Success is when you value or look back at your life at the end and feel proud of what you have done and the way you are.
These are powerful attributes of a society that desires to build peace on earth, goodwill, individual birthrights, civil rights, freedom of thought, opinion, thinking, dreaming, critically analyzing, constructing their own theories and opinions, expressing and debating those ideas in the open so all will know; security from others with other ideas, opinions, beliefs, theories, goals, missions, so everyone can pursue their own path to their own destiny, to live long, prosper, and pursue happiness. Support in maintaining these behaviors will also assist in guaranteeing that everyone will work diligently, maintaining and protecting our mutual home and equilibrium for future generations of all earthlings, not just people! There is one huge missing component: how we became Homo sapiens was and still is by devastation!
Good article. Thanks for the list of the qualities that must be owned by someone.
Really good. Helped me a lot to get back on track, but giving more excitement than I had before experienced. In one word, upgraded me in a different manner.
Thanks for your comments, everyone! I’m glad you’ve found my article helpful.
A person must not be hot tempered to be a good human. He must be patient and respectful to the elders and seniors.
Possession of these qualities is equally required for the conscious parent. As you’ve rightly said, many of these basic qualities come to children only from their parents. This makes the learning process much easier for children when their teachers and others with whom they come in contact try to enhance these qualities. This is one reason why being a parent is such a huge responsibility. After all, parents are the leaders of a family.
Jesse James Garrett is merely channeling a previous genius. In The Gulag Archipelago , Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote about tyranny: “To do evil a human being must first of all believe that what he’s doing is good, or else that it’s a well-considered act in conformity with natural law.” He mentions the role of ideology: “That is what gives evildoing its long-sought justification and gives the evildoer the necessary steadfastness and determination. That is the social theory which helps to make his acts seem good instead of bad in his own and other’s eyes, so that he won’t hear reproaches and curses but will receive praise and honors.”
Thank you for the wisdom. I had a long and stressful day with plenty of intense discussions with my team, and I highly appreciate the motivation and reflection your writing offers.
Very well-crafted article that inspires one’s mind to strive on the path to overcoming the hurdles one may encounter. This is truly an encouragement for many people to change their mindsets with the passage of time and work accordingly to achieve their target goals, which, in return, may benefit the community enormously! Great work!
Great timeless article. Should be reread whenever we feel confronted by self-doubt or helplessness in the face of top-down corporate culture. Historically, the total quality management approach of the 1990s enabled so many front-line employees to develop their leadership voice. TQM promoted change from the bottom up and only faltered when management kept rigorous protocols in place. Most of the leaders who developed through TQM have retired now. If I would add anything to this great article, I would add a segment about developing one’s leadership voice. It is the synthesis of all these foundational qualities to a consistent level of standing in the breach of faulty ideas and actions and promoting new and valuable approaches that causes everyone to listen when you speak.
Thanks to everyone for your comments and affirmations. I really appreciate them.
Thanks, Gregory. I really appreciated your call for the addition of a leadership voice to this list of human qualities. As you may know, in addition to my being the author of this article, I’m the publisher of this magazine. I would love to publish an article on this topic. Would you be interested in writing such as article? A Leadership Matters column that I cowrote with Jim Nieters, “ UX Leadership, Part 2: What Great Leaders Must Do ,” touches on this topic. But there’s definitely more to be said on the subject.

Join the Discussion

Pabini gabriel-petit.

Principal Consultant at Strategic UX

Founder, Publisher, and Editor in Chief of UXmatters

Silicon Valley, California, USA

Pabini Gabriel-Petit

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Essay on Qualities of a Successful Person

Students are often asked to write an essay on Qualities of a Successful Person in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Qualities of a Successful Person

Introduction.

A successful person is not defined by wealth alone. Success is about achieving personal goals, being happy, and contributing to society. Let’s explore some qualities of a successful person.

Hard work is crucial. Successful people understand that effort is required to achieve goals. They are not afraid of challenges or failures.

Resilience is another key. Success often comes after numerous failures. Successful people learn from their mistakes and keep trying.

Positive Attitude

A positive attitude helps in overcoming obstacles. Successful people are optimistic and believe in their abilities.

These qualities are essential for success. Cultivate them to achieve your life goals.

250 Words Essay on Qualities of a Successful Person

Success is a subjective term, varying from person to person. However, certain qualities are universally recognized as key indicators of a successful individual. These include resilience, self-awareness, and adaptability among others.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from failures and setbacks. Successful people are not immune to failures, but they possess the mental fortitude to learn from these experiences and continue forward. They view obstacles not as insurmountable barriers, but as opportunities for growth and learning.

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is another hallmark of success. It involves understanding one’s strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and motivations. Successful people are introspective, continually examining their actions and decisions. This self-awareness allows them to make informed choices, align their actions with their values, and continuously improve themselves.

Adaptability

In a rapidly changing world, adaptability is a crucial trait for success. Successful people are open to new ideas and are able to adjust their strategies and plans to suit changing circumstances. They are not rigid in their thinking or approach, but rather, they embrace change and innovation.

While there are many qualities that can contribute to a person’s success, resilience, self-awareness, and adaptability stand out as particularly important. These qualities enable individuals to navigate the challenges of life, learn from their experiences, and continually adapt to new circumstances. Therefore, cultivating these qualities is a worthwhile endeavor for anyone seeking to achieve success.

500 Words Essay on Qualities of a Successful Person

Success is a multifaceted concept, often defined differently by different people. Some perceive it as financial prosperity, while others view it as achieving personal goals or attaining inner peace. Regardless of the definition, there are certain qualities that successful people universally share. This essay will delve into some of these qualities.

Self-Discipline

One of the most important qualities of a successful person is self-discipline. It is the ability to control one’s impulses, emotions, desires, and behavior. It is what separates the successful from the unsuccessful. Successful people understand the importance of consistency and persistence in their actions. They do not let immediate gratification distract them from their long-term goals.

Resilience is another critical quality. Success is not always a smooth journey; it is often fraught with failures and setbacks. Successful people are those who can withstand these challenges and bounce back stronger. They view failures not as the end but as stepping stones towards success. They learn from their mistakes and use them to improve and grow.

Successful people are invariably passionate about what they do. This passion fuels their drive and determination to succeed. It gives them the energy to put in the hard work and the patience to wait for the results. They love what they do, and this love propels them towards their goals.

Curiosity and Continuous Learning

Successful individuals are inherently curious. They have an insatiable desire to learn and grow. They understand that the world is constantly evolving, and to stay ahead, they must continually update their knowledge and skills. They are open to new ideas and perspectives, and they actively seek opportunities for learning and development.

Integrity is a fundamental quality of successful people. They are honest and ethical in their dealings. They believe in fairness and justice. They uphold their values and principles, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. Their actions are guided by a strong moral compass, and they earn respect and trust through their integrity.

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

Successful people have high emotional intelligence. They are aware of their emotions and those of others. They can manage their emotions effectively and use them to guide their actions. They are empathetic and understanding, which helps them build strong relationships and networks.

In conclusion, success is not merely about wealth or fame. It is about fulfilling one’s potential and making a positive impact. The qualities of self-discipline, resilience, passion, curiosity, integrity, and emotional intelligence are key to achieving this success. They are not innate but can be developed and nurtured over time. As we strive for success, we should endeavor to cultivate these qualities within ourselves.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

  • Essay on Qualities of a Good Person
  • Essay on My Ideal Person
  • Essay on How to Help Physically Challenged Persons

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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qualities of a good human essay

How to Write an Essay about Your Qualities

qualities of a good human essay

In this tutorial, you will learn how to write an essay about your qualities. We’ll also write a sample essay together!

Whether you’re writing for your homework or college applications, writing such an essay is easy if you know where to start and what to do. So, let’s get right to it.

To write an essay about your qualities, consider what makes you stand out. Pick a main idea, choose three qualities that best describe you, write an introduction and a paragraph for each quality, and write a conclusion. 

Let’s face it: you have many qualities, and writing such an essay could be tricky, especially if you don’t organize your thoughts first. So, let’s make things easier for you!

First, pick a main idea.

You need to choose a central idea that overarches the qualities you want to talk about in your essay. To do this, you can think of a personality trait or behavior you can describe using three supporting points— three prominent qualities.

Whatever you choose will be your essay’s thesis .

For example, our main idea can be: “ I am a people’s person . ”

Next, choose three qualities that best support the main idea.

Let’s use the Power of Three to keep your ideas flowing.

qualities of a good human essay

The Power of Three divides an essay’s main idea into three supporting points. It is a three-part structure that helps you create your essay’s body paragraphs.

It’s easy to get stuck if you don’t divide your essay’s subject. Similarly, dividing it into only two supporting ideas is not enough, although it may be better than having one undivided main idea.

But dividing it into three is the best way to go. Three is the perfect number of supporting ideas, and it always works.

Make sure you choose ideas distinct from one another to make your essay clear to your readers. But, you should reflect all three supporting points in your thesis statement .

Now, let’s see how this works when writing about your qualities.

For our sample essay, let’s choose these qualities:

I am kind to my family.

This quality talks about how you treat the people closest to you — your family . It also relates to being a people’s person, which should be reflected in the essay.

We can answer questions like these in this part of our essay:

  • “Why is it important to be kind to your family?”
  • “How do you show kindness to your family?”

I am a loyal friend.

Like the first one, this quality relates to being a people person. 

However, it is different from being kind to your family because it talks about a quality related to your friends .

In this part of our essay, we will answer questions like:

  • “Why do you think you need to be loyal to your friends?”
  • “How do you show loyalty to your friends?”

I am approachable.

Lastly, also related to being a people’s person, this quality talks about a trait related to people who are not really familiar to you — acquaintances and strangers .

We will answer the following questions in this part of our essay:

  • “What does it mean to be approachable?”
  • “Do you do something to look approachable to other people?”

Notice how all three qualities relate to being a people person. These three, plus our main idea, are enough for now. Later, you will understand how we can expand them into an entire essay.

Now we have a clear picture of our essay’s structure after dividing the main idea into three distinct supporting points.

qualities of a good human essay

Now, write an introduction and a body paragraph for each quality.

Now that we have a general idea of what to write in our essay, we can create the introductory paragraph and three body paragraphs, one for each quality we chose.

To write an introductory paragraph , you need an opening sentence (the introduction) that briefly sets the context of your essay. Next comes the thesis (the main idea) and three supporting points.

qualities of a good human essay

Here’s an example of an introductory paragraph:

“Our qualities make us unique. Others say I am a people’s person because I am kind to my family, I am a loyal friend, and I am approachable. I help my family in any way I can and avoid using harsh words when we have disagreements. I support my friends and call them out when they are wrong. And I love smiling nicely so other people won’t be scared of approaching me.”

Note that this paragraph goes from a general statement to three specific ideas.

Great! Now, let’s move on to our body paragraphs , containing our three supporting points — the three qualities we want to discuss in our essay.

To write a body paragraph, start with a topic sentence summarizing it. Then, you will briefly explain it and provide examples to illustrate your idea.

qualities of a good human essay

Here are examples of body paragraphs for our essay:

Paragraph 1

“I always choose to be kind to my family because it builds my relationship with them. I help my parents with cleaning up around the house, and even buying groceries sometimes. I also help my siblings with their homework and school projects. And I avoid harsh, insulting words when we have disagreements. Instead, I try to stay calm, understand their point of view, and talk to them kindly.”

Paragraph 2

“My loyalty to my friends is one of the qualities I am proudest to have. I always express my genuine happiness to my friends when they achieve something, big or small. And sometimes, although it is hard, I tell them what they need to hear instead of just telling them what they want. For example, I remember telling my friend Kate she was wrong when she got the highest score for our exam because of cheating. She knows I always support and want the best for her, so she appreciated that I called her out for her mistake.”

Paragraph 3

“Whenever I am at an event, strangers and acquaintances tell me I am approachable. They tell me I look easy to talk to, friendly and welcoming because I always have a nice smile. For instance, I attended a party my new colleague invited me to, where I did not know many people. So, I just smiled and politely introduced myself. After a few minutes, my colleague’s friend — a stranger — told me she found me approachable and would love to be friends.”

Note how all three body paragraphs follow the diagram above. They started with topic sentences, followed by explanations and examples.

Finally, write the conclusion.

Restating your main idea and the three supporting points you used (paraphrasing your introductory paragraph) is the quickest and easiest way to write the conclusion for your essay. 

Let’s try this time-tested method for our essay.

Here’s an example of a concluding paragraph:

“Our qualities make us all unique, and they either make people like or dislike us. Many people tell me I am a people’s person. I get along well with my family because I always choose to be kind to them. I always express my loyalty to my friends. And I enjoy smiling, making people feel welcome and comfortable when they are around me.”

Finally, we’re done writing our sample essay! 

I hope this has been helpful. Now go ahead and write your essay about your qualities!

Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.

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What Makes a Good Essay?

By stephanie whetstone.

The deadline for this year’s Princeton Writes Prize Staff Essay Contest has been set (March 1, 2020)! We hope you are already hard at work polishing your prose, but in case you are struggling to get started, let’s consider what makes a “good” essay.

Dictionary.com defines the essay as “a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.” This leaves a lot of room for creativity. For a personal essay, focus on the personal part. Why are you writing about this subject? Why now? How does your experience connect with your audience’s? A personal essay is not self-indulgent; rather, it is a means of connecting with others through the common experience of being human.

qualities of a good human essay

The winners of the Princeton Writes Prize have written about New South, travels in Japan, a timeworn stone step, and a dining room table. None of these subjects is inherently gripping, but they became so when connected to the writer’s thoughtful, heartfelt experience.

Write as specifically as you can about what is important to you, what excites you, what connects you to the world, or what you can’t seem to get off your mind. So how do you start? Think about your purpose: is it to entertain, to explain, to argue, to compare, or to reveal? It can also be a combination of these things.

At Princeton, we are lucky to have one of the great essay writers of our time, John McPhee, on faculty. In his wonderful essay, “Searching for Marvin Gardens,” McPhee has a few stories going at once: the “real time” experience of playing monopoly with a friend, his walk through the streets of Atlantic City, the history of the creation of the game of Monopoly, and a commentary about the economic and social realities of the time in which the essay was written. It begins:

“Go. I roll the dice—a six and a two. Through the air I move my token, the flatiron, to Vermont Avenue, where dog packs range.

“The dogs are moving (some are limping) through ruins, rubble, fire dam­age, open garbage. Doorways are gone. Lath is visible in the crumbling walls of the buildings. The street sparkles with shattered glass. I have never seen, anywhere, so many broken windows. A sign—”Slow, Children at Play”—has been bent backward by an automobile. At the farmhouse, the dogs turn up Pacific and disappear.”

The primary action puts the reader immediately into the world the writer has created and follows “characters” through a plot. The connecting paragraphs provide context and place the experience in the broader world. You may want to tell your story straight through or, like McPhee, stray from a linear structure—not just beginning, middle, end—moving back and forth in time.

Begin your story at the last possible moment you can without losing important information. If you are writing about the birth of a child, for example, you might want to start in the hospital in the midst of labor, rather than months before.

To shift in time, make sure you have an object or experience to “trigger” the shift, such as McPhee’s dogs. You need not be as accomplished as he to write your own essay, but reading his work and the work of other writers can provide guidance and inspiration.

Remember that an essay is a story, so even though it is nonfiction, it will benefit from the elements of a story: characters, plot, setting, dialogue, point of view, and tone. Is your story funny, sad, contemplative, nostalgic, magical, or a combination of these?

Your job as a writer is to help the reader imagine what you see in your mind’s eye. That requires sensory detail. Be sure to write about sounds, sights, smells, textures, and tastes. Remember, too, that your work will be read by a wide audience, so you need to determine how much of yourself and your intimate experience you are comfortable sharing.

Another great Princeton writer, Joyce Carol Oates, writes with exquisite sensory detail in her essay, “They All Just Went Away.”

“To push open a door into such silence: the absolute emptiness of a house whose occupants have departed. Often, the crack of broken glass underfoot. A startled buzzing of flies, hornets. The slithering, ticklish sensation of a garter snake crawling across floorboards.

“Left behind, as if in haste, were remnants of a lost household. A broken toy on the floor, a baby’s bottle. A rain-soaked sofa, looking as if it had been gutted with a hunter’s skilled knife. Strips of wallpaper like shredded skin. Smashed crockery, piles of tin cans; soda, beer, whiskey bottles. An icebox, its door yawning open. Once, on a counter, a dirt-stiffened rag that, unfolded like precious cloth, revealed itself to be a woman’s cheaply glamorous “see-through” blouse, threaded with glitter-strips of gold.”

No matter what you choose to write about, forgive your first draft if it’s terrible. You will improve it in the editing. And finally, read each draft aloud: tell the story first to yourself.

Happy writing!

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Writing Forward

Eight Characteristics of Good Writing

by Melissa Donovan | Dec 2, 2021 | Better Writing | 31 comments

good writing

What’s the difference between bad and good writing?

How important is it for a writer to be able to discern the difference between good writing and bad writing?

Pretty important, if you ask me.

I know some writers aren’t concerned with quality. In today’s do-it-yourself and get-it-done-fast world, quality plays second fiddle to quantity. Who cares if your books are full of typos, bad grammar, and poor logic as long as you have published lots and made a bunch of money?

The Characteristics of Good Writing

So, what constitutes good writing? Opinions on the matter vary widely. There will be different traits that make good fiction versus good poetry or good nonfiction. However, we can cull together a general list of the characteristics of good writing (in no particular order):

  • Clarity and focus: In good writing, everything makes sense and readers don’t get lost or have to reread passages to figure out what’s going on. Focused writing sticks with the plot or core idea without running off on too many tangents.
  • Organization: A well organized piece of writing is not only clear, it’s presented in a way that is logical and aesthetically pleasing. You can tell non-linear stories or place your thesis at the end of an essay and get away with it as long as your scenes or ideas are well ordered.
  • Ideas and themes: Is the topic of your paper relevant? Does your story come complete with themes? Can the reader visualize your poem? For a piece of writing to be considered well crafted, it has to contain clearly identifiable ideas and themes.
  • Voice: This is what sets you apart from all other writers. It’s your unique way of stringing words together, formulating ideas, and relating scenes or images to the reader. In any piece of writing, the voice should be consistent and identifiable.
  • Language (word choice): We writers can never underestimate or fail to appreciate our most valuable tools: words. Good writing includes precise and accurate word choices and well crafted sentences.
  • Grammar and style: Many writers would wish this one away, but for a piece of writing to be considered good (let alone great), it has to follow the rules of grammar (and break those rules only when there’s a good reason). Style is also important in ensuring that a piece of writing is clear and consistent. Make sure you keep a grammar book and style guide handy.
  • Credibility or believability: Nothing says bad writing like getting the facts wrong or misrepresenting oneself. In fiction, the story must be believable (even if it’s impossible), and in nonfiction, accurate research can make or break a writer.
  • Thought-provoking or emotionally inspiring: Perhaps the most important quality of good writing is how the reader responds to it. Does she come away with a fresh perspective and new ideas? Does he close the cover with tears in his eyes or a sense of victory? How readers react to your work will fully determine your success as a writer.

I want to add an honorable mention for originality. Everything has been done before, so originality is somewhat arbitrary. However, putting old ideas together in new ways and creating remixes of the best that literature has to offer is a skill worth developing.

Why You Need to Know the Difference Between Good and Bad Writing

To write well, a writer must be able to recognize quality in a piece of writing. How can you assess or improve your own work if you can’t tell the difference between mediocre and better writing in others’ work? This is why it’s so important for writers to be dedicated readers!

Writing is also an art form and therefore subject to personal taste. Can you read a book and dislike it but acknowledge that the writing was good? Have you ever read a book and loved the story but felt that the writing was weak?

A writer should be able to articulate why a piece of writing succeeds or fails, and a writer should also be able to recognize the qualities in a piece of writing even when it doesn’t appeal to their personal taste. These skills are especially necessary when writers are reviewing or critiquing other writers’ work and when revising, editing, and proofreading their own work.

Where do you stand? Do you rate other people’s writing? Do you worry about whether your own writing is any good? Would you add or remove any characteristics of good writing from this list? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment, and keep writing.

10 Core Practices for Better Writing

31 Comments

Michelle

I have had work published. I have even won a competition and still I lack the courage to really commit to it. It’s like I heard a character in a ‘soap’ once saying: ” If I dream of doing it I can always hold onto the dream and live on the’ I could have done it if I tried’, whereas if I go ahead and do it I just might not be ‘good’ and then everything will be gone then, dream and all ! ” Everything you say makes sense but it’s courage I now seek to acquire as well as certain’ devil may care attitude . Courage and self belief and wee bit of discipline. 2012 might just be the year ! Michelle

Melissa Donovan

Michelle, I actually think it’s healthy to have dreams that we don’t fully intend on pursuing. It’s good for the imagination! A person might be interested or passionate about dozens of things and cannot possibly make careers out of them all. But courage is something else… and I don’t think anyone can give you courage. You have to find it within yourself. The first step is to decide that you are going to brave the writing career. After that, you muster up the courage. It’s there inside you, and if you really want it, you’ll find it 🙂 Good luck to you!

Bill Polm

Good one, Michelle, and needed too.

So many blog posts on how to drum up business or write enticing posts or articles, or even how to avoid embarrassing grammatical errors (not that those are not important).

So little on just plain old good writing. Writing that is unusually good, that delights, that informs with impact,

I love the freedom an informal style of modern English. But sometimes I worry a bit that contemporary readers are being fed to many tiny sentences to appeal to an ever-diminishing attention span.

A good list you have there. Maybe I would add that I value fluency. That adroit facility of the accomplished writer who’s covered miles of (digital) paper and now can write not only accurate and clear words and sentences but also compelling and memorable prose.

Ah, fluency is definitely necessary to good writing, although I think it comes with experience, so it might only apply to older or more advanced writers. Great food for thought, Bill. Thanks!

Michael White

Loved this blog post. It actually reminded me of a quote by Oscar Wilde, “There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written or badly written.”

That quote could spur a debate, I’m sure! Thanks for sharing it, Michael. I’m going to give Oscar Wilde’s idea some serious consideration.

PlumaDame

“A writer should be able to articulate why a piece of writing succeeds or fails, and a writer should also be able to recognize the qualities in a piece of writing even when it doesn’t appeal to personal taste”

I’m reading a book right now with a story line that I don’t particularly care for. Eight chapters into it, I’m not fully invested into the story. BUT, the author’s grasp of human emotion/interaction and her ability to explicate the nuances with clarity is brilliant. That fact alone keeps interested and pulls me forward.

Ah! I’ve been there too!

Sierra

This is a very well written blog, and the advice is good for teaching people how to get their points across. However, my problem is not that I can’t tell good from bad; apparently I’m quite good at assessing the quality of other authors’ writing and helping them iprove it. My problem is that though I love writing and am proud of my plot lines and characters, I don’t have a way with words and I just can’t write. Does anyone have any advice on how to make things WORK once you have everything planned out, or am I doomed to the life of an author who can’t write? That sounded really dismal.

Beckie

How do really know your writing is bad? If you’ve got a plot that you love, characters that are filled with layers and truth, set them free! Turn off those negative thoughts and just run with it. Write your story through to the end. If you believe in what you’ve got so far then let it lead you. You will surprise yourself. You proved with your post above that you can convey feeling, let your characters have their voice. Take a deep breath and jump/write!! Best of luck and courageous hugs!

Thanks, Beckie. Well said!

My guess is that your way with words isn’t as bad as you think. I didn’t have any trouble understanding what you wrote. However, if you want to strengthen your skills in vocabulary, word choice, and sentence structure, there are two things you can do: read as much as possible and engage with poetry. Pick up an introductory book on poetry and you’ll learn tons of techniques in this area (which you can apply to fiction and nonfiction). This one can be expensive but it’s worth every penny: Perrine’s Sound and Sense . Good luck to you!

Thank you, both you and Beckie. That’s really good advice. 🙂 I’ll try to be more positive.

Yes! Keep your chin up and stick with it.

Tina Ridgway

In my estimation, for what it’s worth, you write very well. You were clear and concise. I understood the points you were trying to convey. You even allowed a bit of your personality to shine through with self deprecation. Don’t be so hard on yourself, if you wish to be a writer then you should write. I am learning that for one to write compelling characters , one must be well acquainted with the characters they are creating. I am working on fleshing out some characters who are too one dimensional. Life is not black and white. I am trying to write in between the lines in gray. Good luck with your writing.

Paul Atreides

I’ve been perusing your site all morning. I’ve found some terrific tips, some very well-thought common sense approaches to working through difficulties in writing. And as soon as I push the submit button on this I’ll be subscribing!

Though I’ve been published and produced, I find myself in an almost constant state of questioning even the most basic ability to write. On the one hand, a local critic stated “proves he can write” and “there’s a simplicity in the writing that is quite refreshing.” On the other hand, I face a writer’s group (all women) each week who continually tell me my writing is sorely lacking because there aren’t enough issues (conflicts) in any given piece and therefore the characters do not exhibit enough “emotional levels.” Facing this type of weekly demolition has made me think I need to go back to doing what I used to do (before I became unemployed!): write for my own enjoyment and forget about any further publishing.

Where can one go to determine if there is even the slightest bit of talent worth further pursuit? I don’t mean a full-on critique of a piece, but a simple “I’d give it up if I were you.” or “This [writing] shows promise, keep learning and keep writing.”

Melissa McCann

Hmmm, Paul, possibly find a few dudes for your critiques? Also, are the women published? Have good reviews themselves? Read widely in your genre? Men and women do sometimes have widely varying ideas of what makes a good story. You may be writing good, solid, plot-driven adventures (I don’t know–maybe you’re into steamy historical romance) that don’t rely on a lot of emotional nuance. I’d look for beta-readers who understand what you are trying to accomplish.

Or take the girls with a big grain of salt and use what seems to deepen your own writing while recognizing that women’s brains are different. We have bizarre and incomprehensible ideas about relationships and whatnot. I read an interesting theory from the creators of the Dramatica Pro story outlining software about how a “masculine” character (or story) is about getting from point A to Point Z while overcoming every obstacle in between whereas a feminine character (or story) is about getting everything into balance and restoring chaos to equilibrium. Both perfectly fine stories. (I prefer the masculine-type storylines myself).

Post those good reviews and read ’em every day. I have some really nice rejections that I savor whenever I’m feeling inadequate.

Thanks, Melissa!

Two of the ladies have been published but have no reviews of their work. All have complimented the basic plot lines. Their big complaint would seem to fall into the theory from Dramatica Pro you mention; they are looking for every female character to make absolute sense to them strictly within their belief structure of how the characters should/must react to a particular situation. Otherwise, they give solid line-edit critiques and they do point out the occassional hole in content.

None of them read within my genre – if I even have one, that is. I’d classify my novels as “budscapades” (you like my mash-up moniker?) – in other words the main characters are male (female characters do show up along the way) and they are definitely plot driven stories. In entering the Amazon Breakout Book Award Contest, I classified the novel as “bromantic comedy” (plenty of action for guys with a hint of romance for women).

Both your suggestions are solid. I’m sticking with the ladies but will weigh their critiques carefully before implementation and I’ll have to find some men who can show the same amount of weekly dedication to the process.

Thanks, Paul! I think that critique groups can be immensely beneficial, but I also think that each writer has to decide which feedback to apply and which to discard. Objectively, there’s good writing and bad writing, but subjectively, we all have our opinions and preferences. I guess you have to decide whether you want to step up the emotional levels in your characters and add more conflict or if you want to keep your work minimalist.

Here’s what matters: once you do publish, unless you are looking for awards and accolades, the trick is really to find your audience. And there is an audience for everything (as popular culture demonstrates). You might also take a hard look at what the others in your writing group are producing and ask whether this group is a good match to your writing style and needs. You can also ask one of the women in the group to work more closely with you to bring those emotional levels up, if you think you’d like to stretch yourself and experiment a little.

Final word of advice: do not give up on writing or publishing. Forge ahead! You might even look for a creative writing class or workshop — you’ll get a broader range of feedback.

And thank you, Melissa (not Melissa-me, Melissa-you) for putting some analysis into the question of what makes good writing. I get so frustrated with the “Good writing is subjective; it’s just what you like or don’t like,” crowd. The more you study writing, the more you begin to see the difference between good vs bad.

The difficulty, I suppose, is because writing is as complex as any other language. It’s too complex to learn by having the rules explained to us by helpful parents, “Now dear, this is a verb. It always goes after the subject. Is it time to make a poo-poo?” We learn the rules of spoken language by hearing it at a time when our brains are primed and programmed to take it in. Many people don’t start learning to read or write until after that language window is closed. Those of us who learned to read at the same time we were learning to talk have an advantage.

Yes, I’d have to agree that the younger we are when we are taught to read and write, the more naturally it comes. There is much about writing that is subjective, but I believe there is plenty that can be assessed critically and objectively: grammar, spelling, and punctuation, for starters.

David L Scurlock

i tell every mother about my baby can read…they agree and then dont get it for their child..

Matt S.

I have to admit, I share a lot of the insecurities that I have read in the comments here. I’m pretty young and new to the game, and I’m worried that even if I somehow finish this idea that I have (non-fiction) I wont be taken seriously given my lack of a college degree. I have this internal conflict raging in my subconscious, so much so that I’m starting to have dreams about it. Do I go ahead and share my thoughts with others or should I keep them to myself?

It doesn’t help that I have a fear of failure, I suppose. Writing is where I clarify my ideas and feelings, and I’m afraid that my work will be ripped apart by people that dislike it or dismiss my thoughts, mostly because I’ll take it as them dismantling my soul. Does anyone else feel this way?

As I’m writing this I’m slowly realizing that I think that what I need is a little encouragement from people that don’t know me. Man, writing is awesome!

Even if you have a degree, people can still rip your ideas apart. I believe strongly in the value of higher education, but I also know (for a fact) there are plenty of folks with degrees who lack common sense or good hearts. And there are plenty of bright people with good hearts and common sense who do not have degrees. Then again, if you’re that torn up about not having a degree, why not just go get one?

Having said all that, I think you can simply shift your focus. Most of the best writers in the literary canon did not have degrees. Many did not even finish high school. Of your favorite authors, how many have BAs or MAs? Do you know? Do you care? (I don’t.)

As for failure, everyone’s afraid of it. I don’t think we’re meant to eliminate the fear. It’s more a matter of moving forward even though we are afraid. I would say that if you publish a book, some people are not going to like it. That’s just the way it is. So what? Focus your attention and energy on all the people who do like it. If you work hard and write, and put it out there (and do your marketing), you’ll find your audience. Embrace them, and don’t worry so much about everybody else. Good luck to you!

never worry about what anyone says…if someone takes the time for a a scathing review instead of just chucking it in the trash, then you must have struck a chord with that person…all publicity is good publicity…people will want to find out what made this reviewer so angry/….if they are intelligent…

Tony Vanderwarker

Writing well is the price of admission. But beyond the basics is where it gets squishy. Eudora Welty said something like “You’re only writing when you surprise yourself”. What does that mean? You write until you discover.

I don’t know–I would say you’re only writing when you’re putting words on the page. Surprises and discoveries are bonuses in the writing process for me. Maybe it’s because I write a lot of nonfiction, which isn’t full of discovery or surprise the way fiction is.

Sally Ember, Ed.D.

Great article. I’m going to link to it on Reddit!

i think another goal of writing is to use the fewest words possible to convey an idea…similies and metaphors fill this bill…but simple truth sticks with people especially when it is a parable for something much more meaningful.

I think that’s a good goal, although it’s not every writer’s goal. I love clear, simple language, but there are exceptions when I come across a poem or story that is dripping with rich language.

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Top 10 Qualities of a Good Essay

qualities of good essay

Why are students often asked to write an essay? Because this is a type of writing work in which students learn to express their thoughts about different topics. The reasoning should be backed up by facts and statements about a particular topic. However, the author’s opinion is the main one here, and it develops students’ creative and scientific thinking at the same time.

So what makes a good essay? You will find the answer to this question in this article. Only through finding and studying additional information will you be able to develop your critical thinking .

Here are some basic points and qualities of good writing that will make your essay successful:

Top 10 qualities good essay

Small Volume.

Of course, when creativity is in its full flow, you want to write without stopping, but the first sign of what a good essay is precisely its compact volume.

Here you need to explain your opinion about the topic’s subject matter clearly, concisely, and with specific arguments that will support your opinion. Avoid arguing about your statements because it will confuse you and the reader and negate all the work on the arguments.

Specific Topic and Your Subjective Opinion.

The subject of the essay is always specific. It does not happen that the essay has several different thoughts and topics. This is what distinguishes it from other types of paper works.

Your arguments and subjective opinion should be the same. The purpose of your work is to convince the reader that your opinion is true, backed by strong facts, and is consistent throughout the work.

Free Composition

What does it mean? The essay has no specific writing rules. Yes, a certain structure distinguishes this type of work from others, but the essay composition itself is free.

If you are unsure where to start or how to write an essay, try to find free essays online by contacting professionals .

Do not use too long sentences or try to surprise the reader with difficult terms and strange words, especially if you are not sure about their meaning. On the contrary, your main task here is to engage the reader and make contact with him through the text.

As we have already written, the author needs to establish contact with the reader.

The sentences and arguments that you will use in your work should be specific but not written in strict form. You should choose the point of support of your arguments and the main opinion and stick to it throughout the work.

Sometimes arguments have to be more specific and sometimes unobtrusively described in the body of the essay.

You should try to provide information as if “by the way” so that the reader feels like you are referring to him through the text and want to explain your impressions specifically to him. Contact with the reader is very important in this form of writing.

The Paradox

One of the most important qualities of an essay is that it should surprise the reader. You should use some strong phrases or quotes that will support your argument throughout the work.

The advantage will be on your side if you use paradoxical definitions or phenomena, which will appear simultaneously as indisputable but mutually exclusive statements. Feel free to use abstracts and aphorisms.

Meaningful Unity

This is probably the only paradox of the genre (not including the point written above). Why? Because the essay must be subjective , it must have a free composition and characteristics, but at the same time, it must have an internal semantic unity.

Your personal opinion should be expressed and supported here. Actually, this is about supporting the same opinion, which you will support with different thesis and statements. All of them should bring the idea of ​​the essay to one specific conclusion, that is your opinion.

Use of Simple Language

Your essay can be written in any form, but at the same time, it is not necessary, or better to say, you cannot use slang, shortening words, light-hearted tone, using strange abbreviations, and formulaic phrases. Do not forget that this is a serious piece of work with specific arguments and not an arbitrary letter to a friend.

Authoritarianism

You should submit information in such a way as to persuade the reader to adopt the same position he supports in his work. The author should not use aggressive words, but his arguments should be specific, and they should be considered indisputable.

good essay qualities

Use an Element of Surprise

To make your essay memorable, do not be afraid to use catchy phrases, loud quotes, and unexpected arguments. This will arouse emotions in the reader, and your essay will be remembered. The main thing is that the used arguments are not aggressive, do not contradict your basic opinion, and are not written in rough language.

The Logic of Presentation.

Again, despite the free composition, the essay must have internal unity and the coherence of the author’s statements that express his opinion.

Because the rules of writing an essay are rather conditional, the author has the opportunity to fully indulge in his creative potential and use various interesting methods for writing this genre of paperwork.

The main thing to remember is that your thoughts and arguments should be united and interest the reader to read your work and take your side.

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9.1: Qualities of Good Writing

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One common concern is to simply address the question, what is good writing? As we progress through our study of written communication, we’ll try to answer it. But recognize that while the question may be simple, the answer is complex. Writer Edward P. Bailey offers several key points to remember.

Good college writing:

  • follows certain academic rules,
  • is easy to read and is engaging,
  • attracts the reader.

Let’s examine these qualities in more depth.

Bailey’s first point is one that generates a fair amount of debate. What are the rules? Do “the rules” depend on audience expectations or industry standards, what your English teacher taught you, or are they reflected in the amazing writing of authors you might point to as positive examples? The answer is “all of the above,” with a point of clarification. You may find it necessary to balance audience expectations with particular standards for a certain kind of paper and may need to find a balance or compromise. Bailey points to common sense as one basic criterion of good writing, but common sense is a product of experience. When searching for balance, reader understanding is the deciding factor. The correct use of a semicolon may not be what is needed to make a sentence work. Your reading audience should carry extra attention in everything you write because, without them, you won’t have many more writing assignments.

When we say that good writing follows the rules, we don’t mean that a writer cannot be creative. Just as an art student needs to know how to draw a scene in correct perspective before he can “break the rules” by “bending” perspective, so a writer needs to know therules of language. Being well versed in how to use words correctly, form sentences with proper grammar, and build logical paragraphs are skills the writer can use no matter what the assignment. Even though some academic settings may call for conservative writing, there are other areas where creativity is not only allowed but mandated. By following the rules of language and correct writing, a writer can express creative ideas in a form that comes through clearly and promotes understanding.

Similarly, writing that is easy to read is not the same as “dumbed down” or simplistic writing. What is easy to read? For a young audience, you may need to use straightforward, simple terms, but to ignore their use of the language is to create an artificial and unnecessary barrier. An example referring to Miley Cyrus may work with one reading audience and fall flat with another.

The truly excellent writer is one who can explain complex ideas in a way that the reader can understand. Sometimes ease of reading can come from the writer’s choice of a brilliant illustrative example to get a point across. In other situations, it can be the writer’s incorporation of definitions into the text so that the meaning of unfamiliar words is clear. It may also be a matter of choosing dynamic, specific verbs that make it clear what is happening and who is carrying out the action.

Bailey’s third point concerns the interest of the reader. Will they want to read it? This question should guide much of what you write. We increasingly gain information from our environment through visual, auditory, and multimedia channels, from YouTube to streaming audio, and to watching the news online. Some argue that this has led to a decreased attention span for reading, meaning that writers need to appeal to readers with short, punchy sentences and catchy phrases. Your audience, --your college peers as well as your college teachers, -- will be hoping to see more than just catchy phrases and short sentences!

Perhaps the most universally useful strategy in capturing your reader’s attention is to state how your writing can meet the reader’s needs. If your paper provides information to answer a question, solve a problem, argue a point, contrast two opposing views, you may want to state this in the beginning. By opening with a “what’s in it for me” strategy, you give your audience a reason to be interested in what you’ve written.

More Qualities of Good Writing

To the above list from Bailey, let’s add some additional qualities that define good writing.

Good writing:

  • meets the reader’s expectations,
  • is clear and concise,
  • is efficient and effective.

To meet the reader’s expectations, the writer needs to understand who the intended reader is. In some situations, you are writing just to one person: a classmate or your English professor! If you know the person well, it may be as easy for you to write to him or her as it is to write a note to your parent or roommate. If you don’t know the person, you can at least make some reasonable assumptions about his or her expectations.

In other situations, you may be writing a paper to be read by the whole class. How can you anticipate their expectations and tailor your writing accordingly? Naturally you want to learn as much as you can about your likely audience. How much you can learn and what kinds of information will vary with the situation. Beyond learning about your audience, your clear understanding of the writing assignment and its purpose will help you to meet reader expectations.

Our addition of the fifth point concerning clear and concise writing reflects the increasing tendency in all kinds of writing to eliminate error. Errors can include those associated with production, from writing to editing, and reader response. Your twin goals of clear and concise writing point to central goals across communication: honesty and authenticity. This involves our goal of accurately communicating all the intended information with a minimum of signal or message breakdown or misinterpretation.

This leads our discussion to efficiency . There are only twenty-four hours in a day and we are increasingly asked to do more with less, with shorter deadlines almost guaranteed. As a writer, how do you meet ever-increasing expectations? Each writing assignment requires a clear understanding of the goals and desired results, and when either of these two aspects is unclear, the efficiency of your writing can be compromised.Rewrites require time, but that is part of the writing process.

Our sixth point reinforces this idea with an emphasis on effectiveness . What is effective writing? It is writing that succeeds in accomplishing its purpose. Understanding the purpose, goals, and desired results of your writing assignment will help you achieve this success. If you meet both goals, your writing is approaching effectiveness. Here, effectiveness is qualified with the word “approaching” to point out that writing is both a process and a product , and your writing will continually require effort and attention to revision and improvement.

Key Takeaways

Good writing is characterized by correctness, ease of reading, and attractiveness; it also meets reader expectations and is clear, concise, efficient, and effective.

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The Qualities of a Good Leader

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Published: Mar 13, 2024

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Effective communication, strong decision-making skills, inspiration and motivation, adaptability.

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AZ Writing | Sample Essays, Example Research Papers and Tips

Free essay samples, research paper examples and academic writing tips for students

Essay on Good Qualities of a Person

We live in the world where our conduct is dictated by social norms and rules. However, as you know, for every rule there is an exception. Some citizens are good and others do not take into account needs of others and forget about moral limits and even law. The thing is that each one of us is born with some positive and negative qualities. Their manifestation in us depends on our education and skills to deal with stressful situations. How can your learn about your good qualities or good qualities that person interesting you have? Let us talk about it.

All the things in the world have two sides, bad and good. Day gives way to night, and there is perpetual struggle between good and bad. The same applies to the personal qualities.

The so-called virtues are highly valued and encouraged by society. Among other good qualities manifested in extreme situations are ingenuity, courage, endurance, seriousness, responsiveness, reliability, and loyalty.

With regard to career opportunities, then, first of all, any employee is valued for his or her skills, integrity, diligence, honesty, punctuality, tact and good communication ability.

In more broad sense, we call virtuous someone who possesses such qualities as kindness, care for fellow creature, tenderness, amicability, patience, attentiveness, reliability, loyalty, and ability to listen to a loved one and support him or her.

Psychologists recommend we create and grow what we are deprived of, for example, creativity or declamatory, emotionality or skills of planning. Hoping to become the best in our class, get a new post or step on the career ladder, we do our best to attend trainings, seminars … However, some time later, we realize that have progressed not so much as we wanted. Was this a bad learning, weak will, lack of motivation, lack of purpose?.. Yes, we all know people who came to success by overcoming their shortcomings. But what is the real price for the success? How much effort is spent on it really? And finally, why such a victory deliver so little joy? At the same time, there are the ones who risk to act otherwise. Those who bet on their own merits, identifies and develops them, becoming stronger and more successful far more quickly than those who “fights and overcomes.” A few years ago, psychological studies have confirmed: the development of the inherent advantages and strengths is right for you; you may call it a shortcut to success. In order to be recognized as a person and professional, it is not necessary to eliminate all your weaknesses. it is Rather necessary to find out your good qualities develop and improve them.

Actually all free sample essays and examples available online are 100% plagiarized! If you need a high-quality customized essay on Good Qualities of a Person topics written from scratch, you can easily hire professional academic writers online:

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Happier Human

21 Qualities of a Good Man You Should Look For

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Women outnumber men in all but 10 states in the US. Not only are you competing to find a man, but also one of good caliber. I don't mean to sound like a party pooper, but I know you know from experience that a good man is hard to find . You'll probably encounter a lot of toxic guys before meeting a high-quality man.

Finding a man who exhibits the traits you're looking for in a partner is like hitting the relationship jackpot . You'll enjoy a type of healthy and supportive romantic relationship or marriage that promotes happiness and well-being.

Today, I'm going to discuss having dating standards and prepare you to recognize 21 qualities of a good man when he crosses your path.

Table of Contents

Can Men Be Taught Good Qualities?

Yes and no . According to scientists, an individual's core personality is set by the time they reach first grade. Their adult behaviors can be predicted relatively accurately at this stage of development. However, humans have the capacity to reshape their thinking and develop new habits, even though it's not that easy .

While it's possible for men to improve themselves, they have to have a certain level of emotional maturity and self-awareness as well as a desire to change .

Should You Try to Fix a Man?

Women are nurturers by nature and have a tendency to try and fix their significant other. Your boyfriend might rebel, become resentful, or reject you for trying to make him change. You'll feel hurt and try even harder, but he'll relentlessly resist. This may lead to lowered self-esteem, codependency , and resentment on your part.

Even if your man tries, he'll quickly relapse into his old behavioral patterns . Behavioral changes take time and cognitive work such as mindfulness, positive affirmations , and cognitive therapy.

Ask yourself if you're looking for a man who got it together or one you have to teach to be a man . According to Bolde , he’s a grown man. You can’t fix him and you shouldn’t have to. You'll only stress yourself out trying to change him .

As a woman of standards and self-respect, you know it's not your job to groom a man. If he needs fixing, he needs to do it on his own or with the help of a behavioral therapist.

You're better off with someone who exhibits the qualities of a good man, someone who's by nature a good partner, father, and friend. 

Instead of having to teach him how to treat you, you can focus on helping him to become a better version of himself. Both of you and the relationship will benefit as a whole.

The Importance of Dating with High Standards

High-quality women have high standards and choose partners wisely . In dating, standards refer to having a list of things or ideal traits in a potential partner that you're not willing to compromise on .

Call them your non-negotiables . I'm referring to qualities that have nothing to do with his looks, career, financial status, or social connections. It's all about his behavior, values, and belief system .

Your dating-with-standards list can range from refusing to settle for a guy who is emotionally unavailable to one who is avoidant . These are big red flags you shouldn't ignore as he will be unable to meet your emotional needs in a relationship.

A guy with an avoidant personality struggles to communicate his needs and shies away from problem-solving. Instead, he will shut down, withdraw, or stonewall, leaving you unheard, frustrated, or feeling undeserving of his love and attention.

Using your personal dating standards as a guide will help you find someone with the qualities of a good man and who is husband material.  Creating boundaries  also helps you to establish a healthy, supportive relationship instead of one filled with drama.

21 Qualities of a Good Man You Should Look for

Physical attraction and chemistry may help a guy get one foot in the door when he's dealing with you, a woman who knows she deserves the best guy out there. However, he still needs to prove he's worthy of your time, attention, love, and your… everything .

You're more interested in the man within . Of course, you're not expecting him to be perfect, but he should at least demonstrate the following qualities of a good man. 

1. Emotionally Available

You're looking for someone who will provide you with a steady stream of love and affection . If he goes back and forth from hot to cold, that's a sign of emotional unavailability. What you will get is a little love and attention for a few days before he pushes you away.

10 qualities of a good man | 20 qualities of a good man | qualities of a good man to marry

Emotional availability means your partner is comfortable talking about his personal life , family, childhood, and past romantic relationships. He won't seem closed off, avoid conversations about commitment, or display other signs of emotional unavailability .

There was a guy who tried to engage me in a push-pull, let-us-see-where-this-goes relationship. I called him out on his BS and assured him that I knew I deserved better. Looking back, he had zero of these 21 qualities of a good man.

2. Vulnerable

Many men are of the view that showing feelings or vulnerability is a sign of weakness, but it's mostly about protecting their ego. A man of essence is capable of putting his ego aside. You'll recognize he's comfortable having conversations about his thoughts, feelings, weaknesses, and mistakes .

I once met a guy who claimed he wanted to settle down but had difficulties opening up and letting me see who he was at the core. It appeared as if he was hiding things from me and I hated how suspicious and anxious that made me feel.

He was 40 years old, claimed he was never in love, and wanted to experience it. You should see how he clammed up whenever I mentioned the word “love.”

Following that experience, I run as far away as I can from guys who struggle to open up. Don't waste your time trying to break down the emotional walls of a man who's incapable of loving you. 

3. Commitment-minded

Another one of the qualities of a good man is leaning towards commitment. He's not the type to string you along . In fact, he'll show and tell you earlier on in the dating phase that he's interested in exclusivity and a future with you.

Don't worry, it's easy to spot a commitment-phobic. He doesn't like to make plans ahead of time, cancels at the last minute, and has a track record of short-term relationships . You'll soon start to feel like you're at the bottom of his priority list. Things won't change much unless he wants to work on being a better boyfriend.

4. Respectful

Disrespect in any form doesn't spell well for a healthy relationship. Once it starts, it tends to get worse with time. A high-quality man respects himself and others. Respect is shown in many ways.

For example, valuing your opinions even if he disagrees and allowing you to maintain a life outside of the relationship.

A respectful guy will treat you, everyone connected to you, and even strangers well . He's not going to call you out your name, ever, even when he's angry.

On the other hand, a toxic, immature guy will resort to calling you a “bitch” and other defamatory names. Women with low dating standards and low self-worth are the ones who usually put up with that type of guy.

As a high-quality woman, you'd kick him to the curb the moment he thinks of disrespecting you.

5. Kind and Loving

He's a keeper if he is kind by nature and wired for love. Kindness and authentic love usually go together and are non-negotiable qualities of a good man. Ensure you do a kindness and compassion test on him. By that, I mean observing how he treats everyone else.

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Does he talk down to people he thinks are inferior to him, e.g, the wait staff at restaurants? He's a wolf in sheep's clothing if he shows you a nice face, but is mean to others, including kids, or cruel to animals.

6. Emotionally Intelligent

It's a game-changer when you find a man who can put himself in your shoes and understand how you feel. It's called empathy and is a big sign of emotional intelligence (EQ) . It's easier for a man to mistreat you if he cannot see or is unwilling to acknowledge how his behaviors affect you.

You'll know the guy you have your eyes on is emotionally intelligent if he is kind and supportive when you're in distress. He has the ability to perceive, understand, use, and manage negative emotions in positive ways .

Even though he's authentic and straightforward, he's mindful of his words , so as not to offend or hurt you. Other signs of EQ include being honest, humble, forgiving, and able to self-reflect and apologize.

7. Good Communicator

Couples complain all the time that a lack of communication is chipping away at their relationship. There's going to be a lot of passive-aggressive behaviors like pouting and refusal to speak if you're dating someone with an avoidant attachment style or narcissistic traits.

Thank your lucky stars if you're seeing a guy who actively listens to you, makes eye contact, doesn't interrupt, and doesn't dismiss your opinions. As a good communicator, he will respond after choosing the right words and provide validation. His attentiveness is a sign that he's connected and values you, your thoughts, as well as your feelings.

8. Trustworthiness

You struck gold if you found a trustworthy guy. Trustworthiness is at the top of my list of qualities of a good man, particularly because it encompasses so many traits that speak to a man's honesty and overall moral integrity .

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Characteristics of a trustworthy man include being consistent, reliable, dependable, willing to compromise, and respectful of boundaries. The need to have a man with these standards becomes greater if you're bringing kids into the relationship. You must be fully confident that he will respect and treat them well .

9. Secure-attachment Style

According to John Bowlby's Attachment Theory , individuals with a secure attachment style make better romantic partners. Compared to the anxious and avoidant styles, a secure man won't overbear you with his feelings or push you away. He's emotionally and mentally balanced, well-grounded, and has healthy self-esteem and self-confidence.

He is honest, trusting, trustworthy, and comfortable showing his vulnerable side. This guy is calm and self-assured. Being with him feels like “home . ” You won't have to chase after him because he's not the one to play mind games. Instead, he'll state his romantic intentions upfront , treat you like a priority, and make you feel safe, secure, and protected .

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, you're in luck.  Over 50% of the population is secure attachment types. I've had the good fortune of marrying a secure man. They're not perfect but come with a long list of amazing qualities that overshadow their shortcomings.

If you find a guy like this, cherish him. Secure attachment style men feel the most committed to their romantic relationships  and usually don't remain on the market for long .

10. Accountable

Toxic men shirk their responsibilities and are unwilling to own up to their problematic behaviors. Not only are they emotionally immature, but they also shift blame and play the victim even when they're the ones causing the chaos.

A good man is confident in himself and will acknowledge his mistakes, instead of lying, denying, defending, or blaming you . People with narcissistic tendencies are known for pathological lying and blame-shifting to avoid accountability. They use gas lighting tactics to abuse you emotionally and make you question your own reality.

Narcissist or not, it's impossible to enjoy a healthy, loving, respecting, and supportive relationship with anyone who is unable to man up.

11. Emotionally Stable

You can enjoy a loving, happy, and healthy relationship with a man who has stable emotions and is able to self-regulate when things go wrong. As women, we need to be 100% honest with ourselves and stop giving men an easy pass because they're cute or financially stable. What about emotional stability or anger problems?

Emotional instability is an instant deal breaker for me, along with lies, game-playing, and disrespect. Unstable emotions are usually a sign of mental illness, such as mood disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD) , or bipolar disorder. Beware!

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You're signing up for a rollercoaster relationship if you choose a guy who “looks good on paper” but cannot control his anger or self-regulate negative emotions . And, please, don't try to become his therapist, savior, or fixer.

Stand in your truth knowing you're deserving of love and a happy relationship or marriage . Show empathy and compassion for his struggles, but don't feel guilty if you have to quit him. You'll probably save yourself from physical or emotional abuse if you leave before the guy starts lashing out or becomes unhinged. 

12.  Faithful

A faithful man is a man whose loyalty doesn't waver toward you.   In the good or the bad, a good man makes choices with your best interest in mind .  He considers how his decisions affect you and how others will view you because of his choices. 

For example, Aaron works in an office with many single men and women.  His co-workers know he has a loving and caring wife at home to whom he is devoted and faithful.  Everyone who knows him well is very aware of it.  

One morning, after a disagreement with his wife, Aaron went to work, and his co-workers noticed he didn't seem like himself. 

One of the single ladies in the office (who was attracted to Aaron) tried to get him to open up about the issue that was bothering him, even offering to hug him and treat him to lunch. 

Knowing how it would look to others, Aaron declined to talk about the issue and turned down the offer for lunch, especially if others from the office didn't join them.

He not only wanted to avoid putting himself in a situation that tempted him to be unfaithful, but because of his loyalty toward his wife, he sought to avoid the appearance of unfaithfulness.

13.  Dependable

A good man is a dependable man that you can rely on to do what he says when he says he will do it. No one wants to make a date with a guy who doesn't show up because he forgot or simply didn't make you a priority. 

For instance, Dana really liked Jeffrey, and they both tried dating for a while.  But he lacked dependability, and that was a red flag to her.  They would schedule dates, and she would eagerly show up. 

Still, he either wouldn't show, or he didn't prioritize the date and later talked about rescheduling.  His behavior could have opened the door for Dana to feel insecure had she not been strong enough to walk away. 

14.  Sense of humor

A good man is not just a man who makes you laugh but finds great joy in making you smile when you don't feel like it.   For example, he is witty enough to put on music and sing with a hideous voice just to improve your mood.  

A good sense of humor can brighten a dark day and diffuse tension in a room , like a fresh breeze on a hot summer day.   Being around a man who doesn’t take life too seriously all the time is refreshing. 

For instance, Derrick and Megan have been dating for over 6 months.  They just moved in together a few weeks ago.  The two of them work stressful jobs, often bringing the stress and tension home. 

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However, Derrick, devoted to making the home a safe space and peaceful environment, uses his humor to make Megan laugh and relieve much of her stress from the day.  After good laughs, the two talk about their day calmly and reasonably. 

Derrick's humor has helped Megan navigate difficult family moments and personal crises.  As a result, not only has she begun to lean on him, but they rely on each other for advice and comfort after a rough day.  This allows them to move past the stress to enjoy being home and away from the chaos of the outside world.

15.  Romantic

Like being kind and loving, a good man tends to be very romantic.  He consistently thinks of ways to express himself in a relationship that shows the magnitude of his affection for his partner.  

When we hear the word romantic, we often think of physical intimacy, but it goes way beyond that.  Instead, it's loving, serving, and offering kind gestures that outwardly express what is felt on the inside.  

For instance, Kal had deep feelings for his girlfriend, Taylor.  So, each week he made it his priority to do things, aside from going on a date, to let Taylor know she was special to him. 

So, Kal had flowers sent to her office at work, left sweet notes around her house when he visited, and cleaned ice and snow from her car and driveway in inclement weather.  He did those things because her well-being was important to him, and he wanted her to know it.    

16.  Generous

A good man is a generous and giving one.  He always thinks of blessing others , and in many circumstances, he makes others' needs a priority.  For example, Eric is a single guy who makes a good living as a carpenter. 

He is known as a charitable man in the community.  Not only does he give of his money, but he also volunteers much of his time helping the elderly in his city with small projects around their houses.  If he didn't do it, there is no way they could afford to pay someone. 

A generous man believes in leaving people better than he found them.

17.  Cooks and Cleans

A man can be good and not good at cooking or cleaning.  Still, according to psychology , women find that trait in a man irresistible.   Still, if he prioritizes cleanliness and is a good cook, you’ve got a good man on your hands.  

In relationships, we see where one partner (usually the wife) prioritizes cooking, cleaning, and overall home organization. 

But a man willing to cook and clean usually understands the value of partnership to make things go smoothly in the home. He recognizes that it shouldn't fall on one person's shoulders in the relationship.

18.  Confident

Confident men aren’t trying to be something they are not.  Instead, they are comfortable in their own skin and are less likely to be fickle.  When most of you think of a confident man, you may think of a guy who is overconfident and abrasive . 

But a good man can keep that in balance.  He knows who he is and lives life from that perspective .  This means you won't get down the road and discover unsavory things he was afraid to discuss with you because he “didn't want to lose you.” 

Moreover, a confident man believes that his mistakes and shortcoming made him into the strong and bold man he is today.

19.  Moral Integrity (as a Standard of Faith)

Good men have a moral standard they seek to uphold, no matter the circumstances.   You also know a man is good when he will carefully uphold the standards of his faith and treat you, his family, and others well. 

His dedication to God (who is loving, forgiving, and compassionate) should reflect how he treats others and views life as a whole.  Lastly, as a result, he is always looking to grow in integrity and be a better version of himself every day.  

20.  Goal Oriented

A good man sets goals.  It shows that he is willing to improve upon himself and the situations surrounding his life.  It also demonstrates that he doesn’t take life lying down and accepts every situation that befalls him or his family.   He sees better (in his mind) and plans to bring it to pass. 

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So, a goal-oriented man is a man who is “going places in life” because he has vision.  And a man with vision later becomes a man who is accomplished.  And an accomplished man is certainly one you will be proud of.  

21.  Humble

Good men are humble.  They aren’t pushovers , but they understand their limitations and don’t mind giving credit where credit is due .  Additionally, a good man will step back to let others shine while playing to their strengths . 

Furthermore, he is not self-absorbed because it doesn't matter who gets the credit as long as everyone wins.  For instance, Chris' wife received a promotion on her job and now makes more money than him.  Naturally, his close friends found out and teased him about it. 

However, Chris expressed to them how proud he was of her and that she worked hard to get where she is.  Furthermore, he has no issues with her bringing home the bigger salary if their goals as a couple and family are accomplished.

Final Thoughts on Qualities of a Good Man

Connecting with a fine gentleman is easier when you know exactly what it is you're looking for . You're able to see through the BS almost immediately and quickly filter out men who are into game playing.

Don't bother trying to love a guy into emotional submission , mold him to suit your taste, compromise your standards or settle.

You deserve someone who is physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to pursue a healthy relationship and marriage. Continue to keep your standards high by repeating  70 Affirmations for Self-Worth and Love Yourself More .

Finally, if you want to identify YOUR personality type, then take one of these 11 personality tests to better understand what makes you tick .

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Why do Heroes have in Common

This essay about the common traits of heroes across different eras and cultures explores what fundamentally defines a hero. It identifies key characteristics such as courage, sacrifice, empathy, and the ability to inspire others. Heroes, both historical and fictional, act despite fear, often prioritize the welfare of others, and possess a deep sense of empathy that drives their actions. Furthermore, heroes serve as sources of inspiration, demonstrating that ordinary individuals can achieve extraordinary feats and uphold moral values. The essay also discusses how the concept of heroism evolves with societal values, incorporating modern examples like activists and educators alongside traditional figures of warriors and leaders. Overall, it reflects on how heroes mirror societal values and ideals, motivating individuals to strive for betterment and unite communities.

How it works

Heroes, whether drawn from the annals of history or the pages of fiction, seem to strike a universal chord in the human psyche. Across cultures and eras, certain characteristics of heroism remain steadfast, illustrating that the essence of a hero transcends the diversity of their contexts and forms. But what exactly do these various heroes have in common that endears them to people worldwide?

At the core of most heroes lies the quality of courage. Courage, however, is not the absence of fear but the decision to act in spite of it.

Consider historical figures like Rosa Parks and Winston Churchill or fictional characters like Frodo Baggins from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.” Each faced significant danger and opposition yet chose to act based on what they believed was right, not what was easy or safe. This moral backbone, where one stands firm against the tides of adversity, defines the hero’s journey in narratives both real and imagined.

Moreover, heroes typically exhibit a profound sense of sacrifice. They often put others’ needs and well-being before their own, willing to bear personal loss or suffering if it means achieving a greater good. This attribute is vividly seen in characters like Harry Potter, who frequently risks his life for the wizarding world, or in historical icons like Mahatma Gandhi, who endured lengthy fasts and imprisonment during his nonviolent fight for India’s independence. This willingness to sacrifice not only defines their heroic acts but also underscores the depth of their commitment to their cause—a hallmark that resonates deeply with audiences or followers.

Another common trait among heroes is their capacity for empathy. Empathy drives a hero to take courageous and sacrificial actions. It’s not merely the recognition of the suffering of others but also sharing in it and feeling compelled to alleviate it. This quality ensures that the hero’s motivations are aligned with the virtues that most societies celebrate, such as kindness, justice, and compassion. Whether it’s a firefighter rushing into a burning building to save strangers or a teacher spending extra time with students who struggle, empathy lies at the heart of their drive to make a difference.

Heroes also inspire. They ignite hope and ambition in others simply by standing as examples of what’s possible. They show that ordinary individuals can achieve extraordinary things and that moral fortitude can prevail even in the darkest times. This inspirational aspect is crucial; it transforms personal heroism into a collective asset, uplifting entire communities and influencing countless generations.

Interestingly, the concept of a hero is not static but evolves with society’s moral and ethical standards. Today’s heroes might not only include those who fight battles or lead nations but also the activists who advocate for social change, the scientists who innovate solutions for global problems, and the educators who dedicate their lives to empowering the youth. Each, in their own way, challenges the status quo and pushes humanity forward.

In reflecting on what heroes have in common, we find that their stories often hold a mirror up to our own values and ideals. They are constructs as much as they are people, embodying the qualities we most admire and aspire to embody ourselves. Heroes challenge us to be better, to reach beyond our limitations, and to act with courage and conviction in our lives.

Thus, the timeless appeal of heroes—whether mythic or mundane—is rooted not just in their deeds but in their defining qualities. These figures remind us of the potential for heroism inherent in every individual and the impact that singular acts of bravery and compassion can have on the world. In examining heroes, we don’t just learn about them; we uncover deeper truths about human nature and the collective spirit that binds us. This understanding not only enriches our appreciation of heroes but also reinforces the enduring relevance of their stories in our lives.

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8 Qualities Of A Good Essay

  • Author Sandra W.

qualities of a good human essay

The Qualities of a Good Essay

  • The essay format should look like a college-level writing assignment. Your essay should be labelled correctly and all the steps of the writing process stapled neatly to the back.
  • The thesis sentence should be perfectly clear and should be at the end of the introduction. It should contain a single, provable claim. Specifically, the thesis contains a period of time and your claim about it.
  • The essay introduction should be short and precise and it should contain any needed background information.
  • For the body, each paragraph should contain a clear topic sentence that ties back to the thesis and contains a single, provable claim. In each paragraph, you should use specific details and examples to prove, support or illustrate the central idea. 
  • The essay should include enough proof in each paragraph to convince the reader that the claim in the topic sentence is true. It should also include enough proof in the entire essay to convince the reader that the claim in the thesis is true.
  • The writing should be smooth since the writer uses linking words to link his or her ideas together clearly, effectively and logically. Every sentence should be perfectly clear and the reader does not need to ask the writer to explain anything.
  • You should eliminate unnecessary words, phrases and sentences. Your essay should be free from major errors such as sentence fragments, run-on sentences and comma splice errors.
  • The essay should have a variety of sentences such as complex and compound sentences. You should also take your time to proofread your essay carefully and ensure that your punctuation and spelling is correct.

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AI writing vs human: Short-term gains are deceiving

‘i generated an essay using chatgpt, and it looked good, but my teacher called it out for plagiarism and a lack of fresh ideas.’ – a typical student in 2024..

  (photo credit: INGIMAGE)

At the Crossroads of AI vs Human Writing – Where Are We Heading? 

Chatgpt vs human essays make a big promise but fall short on results, when will ai writing vs human actually be useful in academia.

  • When students face tight deadlines and require quick assistance to generate content efficiently.
  • For intricate subjects where extensive research is necessary, AI tools can help organize and synthesize information swiftly.
  • In multicultural educational environments, AI can aid non-native speakers in articulating ideas effectively in writing.
  • For students with disabilities or learning differences, AI tools can provide alternative means of expression and support.
  • When managing multiple assignments simultaneously, AI can streamline the writing process and alleviate workload pressures.
  • Institutions may employ AI-driven platforms to provide personalized feedback and guidance on writing assignments.
  • AI tools can assist in literature reviews, citation management, and data analysis, facilitating comprehensive research efforts.

Human Writers Are Still in Charge

Essayservice makes up for the shortcomings of ai .

(credit: essayservice_official)

  • Lack of Originality
  • Inaccuracies
  • Plagiarism Risk
  • Limited Depth
  • Dependency Issues
  • Ethical Concerns
  • Absence of Emotion and Creativity

The Verdict

IMAGES

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COMMENTS

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    Qualities of Good Person. Good people are characterized by certain qualities that include trust, honesty, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, respect, courage, and goodwill. They do not steal, lie, discriminate, or deny people their rights. They think about others' welfare and advocate for actions that make the world a better place.

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    Conclusion. In conclusion, the qualities of a good person revolve around their character and actions towards others. Empathy, integrity, resilience, selflessness, and open-mindedness are all critical attributes. These qualities not only make individuals better but also contribute to building healthier relationships and societies.

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    At Good Good Good, we celebrate stories of good people making a positive difference in the world. So, it made sense for us to compile this guide of diverse vocabulary to describe the qualities of a good person. Remember: No one person can have every good quality — but every person does have some good qualities.

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    Everything that can be said can be said with kindness. Every tough position we have to take can be taken with kindness. No exceptions. Being a good person requires that we work toward that ...

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    Being a good person is somewhat of an acquired quality, but also an innate characteristic. Deciding to be a good person is a complex task. It is far easier said in words than accomplished through actions. Many people possess genes that cause immoral thought processes. These specified genes interfere with their intent of goodwill.

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    B. Qualities of a good person. Some of the essential qualities of a good person include: Kindness: A good person is considerate and supportive of others. They help out where they can and try to make others' lives a little easier. Empathy: A good person puts themselves in the shoes of others and tries to understand their struggles. They look ...

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    Why being a good person matters. One's motivation for being "good" can vary widely. Research suggests that altruism—or the act of showing selfless concern for the well-being of others—is a uniquely human trait, of which there are many examples. Biologically, evolutionarily, or on some other level, many may feel generally driven to be ...

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    Foundational Human Qualities. Qualities that form the foundation of all other human qualities include honesty, integrity, courage, self-awareness, and wholeheartedness. These qualities define who we are as human beings. 10. Be Honest and Have Integrity. honesty—"The quality of being honest," or "free of deceit and untruthfulness ...

  11. Essay on Qualities of a Successful Person

    These qualities are essential for success. Cultivate them to achieve your life goals. 250 Words Essay on Qualities of a Successful Person Introduction. Success is a subjective term, varying from person to person. However, certain qualities are universally recognized as key indicators of a successful individual.

  12. Essays on Personal Qualities

    The Influence of Personality on Sports Performance. 3 pages / 1513 words. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the influence that personality has on sports performance. Firstly, the paper will define arousal, stress, and anxiety. Secondly, the paper will discuss the Inverted U Hypothesis and arousal levels in soccer.

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    First, pick a main idea. You need to choose a central idea that overarches the qualities you want to talk about in your essay. To do this, you can think of a personality trait or behavior you can describe using three supporting points— three prominent qualities. Whatever you choose will be your essay's thesis. For example, our main idea can ...

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    This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people's social and cultural lives.

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    A startled buzzing of flies, hornets. The slithering, ticklish sensation of a garter snake crawling across floorboards. "Left behind, as if in haste, were remnants of a lost household. A broken toy on the floor, a baby's bottle. A rain-soaked sofa, looking as if it had been gutted with a hunter's skilled knife.

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    Free Composition. The Ease. The Paradox. Meaningful Unity. Use of Simple Language. Authoritarianism. Use an Element of Surprise. The Logic of Presentation. Here are some basic points and qualities of good writing that will make your essay successful:

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    Another important quality of a good leader is integrity. A leader should be honest, ethical, and consistent in their actions. They should be able to gain the trust and respect of their team members, and lead by example. Research has shown that leaders who demonstrate integrity are more likely to have loyal and dedicated followers (Simons, 2002).

  21. Essay on Good Qualities of a Person

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  23. Why Do Heroes Have In Common

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  24. 8 Qualities Of A Good Essay

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    AI-generated essays lack the depth, insight, and originality inherent in human-authored work, highlighting the limitations of relying solely on technology for college pursuits. Let's not forget ...