For discussion purposes, high quality writing means that the words are clear, relevant, and mean exactly what the writer intends them to mean. Good writing avoids wordiness and jargon (overly technical language) and reads smoothly. High quality writing shuns redundancy and uses parallel constructions. The sentences use correct grammar and punctuation, the active voice, and simple rather than complicated structures.
High quality writing organizes sentences and paragraphs to work together to create a logical argument, rather than merely stringing them together without a plan. The paragraphs follow the MEAL plan (Main idea, Evidence or examples, Analysis, Link), use signal phrases to identify other authors' words, and use transitions to show how the paragraphs relate to one another. Finally, high quality writing avoids bias.
More details about high quality writing can found in the Capella Online Writing Center and on pages 65–77 of the Publication Manual of the APA. Information about grammar, punctuation, and usage can also be found on pages 77 and following.
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Doc. reference: phd_r01_highqual.html