Communications Toolkit: Writing Tips

Writing Tips for Crafting a Clear Message

  • Avoid Jargon. Scientific research often includes very technical language that is integral to its viability. However, when sharing information with people outside of the discipline, those words can become meaningless and therefore need to be explained instead, with examples.
     
  • Create metaphors. When trying to explain complex concepts it may be useful to use metaphors to help people connect with ideas that are more familiar to them (accepting that no metaphor is perfect).
     
  • Use short sentences. Often in scientific writing, sentences go far over 20 words. However, past this point, it can become difficult for anyone to grasp the main point of the sentence. Breaking up the sentences will help people digest the concepts quicker and easier. 
     
  • Simplify the language. Consider using shorter words in place of longer words if they will have the same effect. An example is use and utilize. In instances where both words mean basically the same thing, choose the one that gets to the point faster. 
     
  • Replace passive voice with active voice. Often scientific works such as lab reports or journal articles are written in passive voice to emphasize the action being taken rather than the “doer” of the action. This is useful to convey scientific objectivity. However, when writing to be persuasive, for instance, it makes the point less clear and takes more time getting there. Here is a good article on how to spot the difference between voices and how to turn passive voice into active voice. 
     
  • Use action verbs. Action verbs can help express relationships among these key nouns and describe movement of your work and the activity or action of your involvement. Below is a table of common action verbs for broad concepts typical of synthesis research:
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A list of action verbs

Continue to the next step of the toolkit: And, But, Therefore, Statement.

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