Writing tips.
Paragraph structure:
- Topic Sentence (general sentence)
- Supporting Sentences
- Concluding statement (general sentence)
Questions:
- How does this paragraph relate to the one above?
- What is this paragraph saying that adds to my broader argument?
- How would I sum up this paragraph in one sentence?
- Am I building toward something?
Sentence structure:
- Express one clear idea
- Have a logical structure (subject → verb → object/modifier)
- Avoid redundancy or vagueness (don't say, “this issue”. What exactly is the issue?)
- Use subordination and coordination effectively (to combine ideas smoothly): How does sentence A relate to sentence B?
- A sentence should express one clear idea, have a logical structure (subject > verb > object/modifier), and use subordination and coordination effectively (aka combine ideas smoothly)
- Unless qualifiers are essential to nuance, cutting them strengthens the sentence. (go with a strong verb and add an adverb if really needed).
- Avoid “there is” “there are”: try and go with a stronger subject as it makes it more engaging.
Does this sentence say what I need to say in the simplest, strongest sense?
Other things to consider about sentences!
- Switch up sentence length
- Don't overdo em dashs, slashs, colons, but don't stray away from them either
- Use active voice when possible (means that the subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb, making the writing clearer and more direct.)
Avoiding Wordiness
Synonyms i've collected myself to avoid being wordy:
“Addressing the issues of”:
Engaging with the challenges of
Responding to concerns about
Confronting the problems associated with
Exploring the complexities of
Examining the implications of
Tackling the issues surrounding
Interrogating the conditions of
Analyzing the problems related to
Dealing with the matters of
Considering the issues of
Looking into the problems with
Handling concerns regarding
Approaching the question of
- a number of = several, numerous.
- came to a realization= realized
- at this point in time – now
- in spit of = despite
- close proximity = proximity
- in regards to = regarding
- in the absence of = without
- in the event that = if
- on the grounds that = because
- due to the fact that = given that, because
- has the ability to = can
- have to = must
- in a situation which = when
- on the grounds that = because, since, why
- there is a need/necessity for = must, should
- this is an example of = this is
- this is why = because, since, why
- this serves as a way to = this
- this shows that = thus, (delete)
- where X is concerned= about, concerning, regarding
- whether or not= whether
- in terms of = as
- the fact that = since
- in order to = to.
- it is important to note that = importantly (or leaving it out entirely)
Transition phrases:
To Add Information/ Build on a Point
- Furthermore,
- In addition to this,
- Moreover,
- Alongside this,
- This also suggests that…
- Building on this idea,
- This can be further seen in…
- Another dimension of this is…
To Show Contrast / Difference
- However,
- In contrast,
- Yet,
- While [X] emphasizes…, [Y] instead…
- On the other hand,
- Despite this,
- Whereas previous work assumes…, I argue…
- Nevertheless,
To Introduce Examples or Evidence
- For example,
- This is evident in…
- As seen in…
- One instance of this is…
- To illustrate this point,
- This can be observed in…
- Consider the case of…
To Show Interpretation / Meaning
- This suggests that…
- What this reveals is…
- This can be understood as…
- This reflects a broader pattern of…
- This raises questions about…
- More importantly,
- Underlying this is the assumption that…
To Explain Method or Structure
- In terms of methodology,
- To approach this question, I…
- I use [method] to…
- This paper draws on…
- My analysis is grounded in…
- I situate this within the framework of…
- This section will focus on…
To Introduce Background / Context
- Historically,
- In the context of…
- Since the early 2000s…
- This emerged alongside…
- As [scholar] notes,
- Within this framework,
- Over time,
To Shift Topics or Sections
- Turning now to…
- In the next section,
- This brings us to..
- Shifting focus to…
- Before moving forward, it’s important to consider…
- Now that we’ve established X, we can consider Y.
To Show Causality / Relationships
- As a result,
- Therefore,
- Because of this,
- This led to…
- Consequently,
- In response to this,
- This dynamic produces…
To Conclude / Summarize a Point
- In sum,
- To summarize,
- Overall,
- Taken together,
- In short,
- Ultimately,
- This highlights…
- This underscores the importance of…
Extend/same level:
and, similarly, likewise, in the same way that, moreover, also
Extend/summative:
then, thus, therefore, as a result, accordingly, in sum, in short
Exemplify/ explain
for example, for instance, because, that is why, for
Contradict
but, however, although, in spite of, despite, nonetheless, even as, even so, that said, while , whereas, at the same time
Restatement
in other words, that is, in short
Temporal/ narrative
after, before, until, eventually, in the long run, meanwhile
Deictic/logical
here, now, then, at this time
Lexical transition
using a word from the sentence before as a transition.
“interruption is detrimental to “the poetical”“”
option 1 for second sentence: By poetical I mean that...
option 2 “At this point, we need a theory of interruption”
Questions to ask when revising my notes
- How important is this topic, and to what end?
- important to my field?
- to my dissertation?
- professionally?
How much time do I want to a point I want to make?
7- its actually not important at all
6- I can write about it but in a different piece at a different time
5- Mention it in a footnote
4- Mention it in a sentence
3- Mention it in a paragraph
2- core point: Mention in multiple paragraphs
1- main point: several pages/ this is a bread and butter theme
- Is it a novel point? Has it already been written about? If so, how? What hasn't been written about yet?
- How does a side point work towards my main point?
- What are the empirical evidence that backs up my point?