Super easy writing tips! Kalynn M. Schulz Date (s) modified: 9/2013; 7/24/14; 8/24/14; 9/5/14
Note: These tips should be relevant for several writing projects, but are specifically geared toward writing a research paper. Please remember that writing is mostly an editing process. No one sits down and writes a beautiful first draft. Be patient, and don’t get discouraged! After several edits, your paper will look amazing! A FEW GENERAL TIPS CUT THE CRAP Don’t use unnecessary phrases when describing research findings. ● Do not say “it was found that” “they found that” etc. when describing data. Instead, just describe the data pattern! ○ Student writes: It was found that stress decreases memory performance. ○ Change to: “Stress decreases memory performance.” ■ “It was found that” is completely unnecessary! ● On a related note, do not start sentences with “so and so researcher found that” ○ When you write sentences this way, it puts the emphasis on the AUTHORS of the paper rather than their findings, and it is distracting to readers. Not to mention it requires using the past tense. ● When editing your writing, go through and take any of these unnecessary phrases OUT of your paper! ● Try fixing the crummy sentences below: ● It is well known that schizophrenia affects 1% of people worldwide. ● Bigshot PI and colleagues have shown that prenatal stress exposure alters adult brain and behavioral function. USE THE ACTIVE VOICE How do I tell an active from a passive sentence? ● Is the subject performing the action? ACTIVE ● Is the action word performed upon the subject? PASSIVE Example: I have been exposed to many excellent training experiences.
I have sought out many excellent training experiences.