How to Write Better Using The 3 Pillars of “POP” Writing: Making Writing More Compelling

Introduction to POP Writing

When I analyze what makes writing truly compelling, I’ve found it consistently boils down to three essential elements. I’ve distilled this into what I call “POP writing”—a framework that works for every type of writing imaginable.

Whether you’re crafting fiction, non-fiction, business communications, or personal essays, these three elements can transform your writing from mundane to memorable.

The Three Essential Elements

POP writing stands for:

• Personal
• Observational
• Playful
  

The beauty of this framework lies in its flexibility—you can dial each element up or down depending on your audience and purpose. It’s the ultimate antidote to boring writing.

A Masterclass Example: David Foster Wallace

To understand how these elements work together magnificently, let’s examine the writing of David Foster Wallace.

I chose Wallace because he possessed an extraordinary ability to comment on American culture during the ’90s and early 2000s.
His writing perfectly demonstrates all three POP elements in action.

Here’s a powerful excerpt from a 1996 interview:

I’m pretty lonely most of the time, and fiction’s one of the few experiences where loneliness can be both confronted and relieved.

Drugs, movies where stuff blows up, loud parties—all these chase loneliness away by making me forget my name’s Dave and I live in a one-by-one box of bone no other party can penetrate.

Fiction, poetry, music, really deep serious sex, and in various ways religion—these are the places (for me) where loneliness is countenanced, stared down, transfigured, treated.

What makes this passage so remarkable? When you read Wallace’s work, it feels like having an intimate conversation with a close friend. His insights into America show incredible depth and detail.

Plus, his willingness to bend language and stretch words and grammar makes his writing immensely playful. Let’s break down each element to understand why this works so well.

Deep Dive into the Three Pillars

1. Personal Writing: Building Human Connection

The personal element is the foundation of connecting with your readers. It’s about:

• Building genuine connections through storytelling
• Sharing firsthand experiences that resonate
• Developing your authentic voice as a writer
• Establishing credibility through vulnerability
• Creating context through personal narrative
  

In Wallace’s passage, he immediately opens with a confession about loneliness. He shares intimate details about how he copes with it, from fiction to poetry to religion.
This vulnerability creates an immediate connection with readers—we understand who Wallace is and why fiction matters so deeply to him.

2. Observational Writing: Sharing Unique Insights

The observational element is what makes your writing useful and interesting. It’s about:

• Sharing insights that others miss
• Teaching readers something new
• Offering fresh perspectives on familiar topics
• Giving readers a new way to look at the world
• Making your writing valuable through unique observations
  

Wallace demonstrates this brilliantly by presenting fiction as a unique solution to loneliness.
He doesn’t just tell us he’s lonely; he shows us how different experiences—from movies to parties to literature—address (or fail to address) that loneliness.

His insights make the writing valuable because readers gain a new perspective on both loneliness and fiction.

3. Playful Writing: Bringing Words to Life

Let me be clear: playful writing isn’t about being silly or immature. Instead, it’s about:

• Injecting your writing with vitality
• Using words and phrases that delight readers
• Lending higher resolution to your ideas
• Dialing up the saturation of your content
• Making your writing come alive
• Injecting your personality onto the page
• Creating content that’s entertaining and memorable
  

Wallace demonstrates this masterfully with phrases like “one-by-one box of bone” and his creative approach to describing everyday experiences.
His language surprises and delights readers, making them want to keep reading.

The Dangers of Missing Elements

What happens when writing lacks one or more of these essential elements? The results are predictably flat:

Single-Element Writing

• Personal Only: Nothing more than a diary entry
• Observational Only: Reads like a dry scientific paper
• Playful Only: Comes across as tabloid content—entertaining but lacking substance
  

Two-Element Combinations Still Fall Short

• Missing Observational: Your writing entertains but fails to inform
• Missing Playful: Content informs but isn’t distinctive or enjoyable to read
• Missing Personal: Writing lacks the relatability that creates strong reader connections
  

The Sizzle Spectrum: Finding the Right Balance

I often hear people object: “But my writing needs to be serious!” This is where understanding the “Sizzle Spectrum” becomes crucial.
You can and should adjust the level of POP based on your audience and context:

Key Principles:

1. Different contexts require different levels of formality
   • A bachelor party invitation should read differently than a quarterly financial report
     
2. Avoid the common trap of becoming overly formal
   • Many writers lose their personality when they open a Google doc
   • They shift into “dry academic research paper mode”
   • They write as if trying to impress their fifth-grade English teacher
     
3. Find the right balance for your specific audience
   • Professional doesn’t mean boring
   • Serious topics can be communicated playfully
   • Maintain personality while respecting context
     

Practical Application: How to Use POP Writing

Reading with the POP Lens

1. Analyze great writing you encounter
2. Look for each POP element
3. Study how writers balance these elements
4. Note which techniques you can adapt
   

Identifying Your Weak Spot

• Most writers naturally gravitate toward certain elements
• For example, I struggle with personal writing
• It’s easier to share personal stories in conversation than in writing
• Recognize your weak spots and work on strengthening them
  

Improvement Strategy

1. Pick up books that excel in your weak area
2. Analyze what makes them effective
3. Practice incorporating those techniques
4. Get feedback and adjust
   

Beyond the Basics: Advanced POP Writing Tips

Language Considerations

• Avoid unnecessarily complex vocabulary
• Focus on clarity and impact
• Even words like “countenanced” (which I don’t know the meaning of) aren’t necessary for effective writing
  

Balance and Flow

• Ensure all three elements work together harmoniously
• Maintain consistency in voice and tone
• Let each element enhance the others
  

Context Adaptation

• Adjust the intensity of each element based on:
  • Your audience
  • The purpose of your writing
  • The medium you’re using
  • The subject matter
  • The desired impact
    

Conclusion: Making POP Writing Work for You

The beauty of POP writing lies in its versatility and effectiveness.
By consciously incorporating personal connection, observational insight, and playful expression, you can create writing that:

• Resonates with readers on a human level
• Provides valuable insights and perspectives
• Engages and entertains throughout

Most writers struggle with at least one of these elements. The key is to identify your weak spots and work deliberately to strengthen them. Whether you’re writing a business report, a personal essay, or a novel, the POP framework can help you create more compelling content.

Action Steps on How To Write Better

1. Analyze your recent writing through the POP lens
2. Identify which elements need strengthening
3. Study writers who excel in your weak areas
4. Practice incorporating all three elements
5. Get feedback and refine your approach
   

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection, insight, and engagement.
Start applying these principles today, and watch your writing transform from good to exceptional.

(Source: A video from David Perell about POP writing)