Why do teachers often counsel against using the first person in an
academic paper? Used too frequently or without care, it can make a writer seem
self-centred, even self-obsessed. A paper filled with “I,” “me,” and “mine” can
be distracting to a reader, as it creates the impression that the writer is
more interested in him- or herself than the subject matter. Additionally, the
first person is often a more casual mode, and if used carelessly, it can make a
writer seem insufficiently serious for an academic papers
1. Choose simple words to Write use
instead of utilize, near instead of close proximity, help instead of
facilitate, for instead of in the amount of, start instead of commence. Use
longer words only if your meaning is so specific no other words will do.
2. Write
short sentences -You should keep sentences short for the same reason you keep
paragraphs short: they’re easier to read and understand. Each sentence should
have one simple thought. More than that creates complexity and invites
confusion. Pay attention to punctuation,
especially to the correct use of commas and periods. These two punctuation
marks regulate the flow of your thoughts, and they can make your text confusing
even if the words are clear.
3. Use the active voice In English;
readers prefer the SVO sentence sequence: Subject, Verb, and Object. This is
the active voice. While
spell-checking programs serve as a good tool, they should not be relied upon to detect all mistakes.
Regardless of the length of the article, always read and review what you have
written.
4. Keep paragraphs short Look at any
newspaper and notices the short paragraphs. That’s done to make reading easier,
because our brains take in information better when it’s broken into small
chunks. In academic writing, each paragraph develops one idea and often
includes many sentences. But in casual, everyday writing, the style is less
formal and paragraphs may be as short as a single sentence or even a single
word.
5. Edit ruthlessly Shorten, delete, and
rewrite anything that does not add to the meaning. It’s okay to write in a
casual style, but don’t inject extra words without good reason. Try not to edit while you’re creating your
first draft. Creating and editing are two separate processes using different
sides of the brain, and if you try doing both at once you’ll lose. Make a deal
with your internal editor that it will get the chance to rip your piece to
shreds; it will just need to wait some time
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