Structure and Style in Writing

Ch. 2 Linda Yellin

1. Content 2. Clarity 3. Conciseness 4. Elimination of slang, colloquialisms, trite

expressions, and jargon 5. Tone 6. Bias – free language 7. Spelling 8. Grammar 9. Uniformity 10.Format

2a: The 10 revision cycles

Introduction◦ The introduction tells the reader:

what the topic of the paper is in general terms, why the topic is important what to expect in the paper.

◦ Introductions should: funnel from general ideas to the specific topic of the

paper justify the research that will be presented later

◦ Introductions are sometimes folded into literature reviews

Writing a Research Report

Writing a Research Report

A research report has seven components:2. Introduction—an example

A sociological article, paper, or report generally covers only one important topic of interest and conveys evidence and interpretations of evidence.

Research reports are NOT creative writing, opinion pieces, poems, novels, letters, musings, memoirs, or interesting to read.

Writing a Research Report

A research paper has three sections: introduction, body paragraphs, and the conclusion.

Headings created for subsections of papers body to make reading easier.

Ideas: Did you develop them sufficiently? Are they understandable?

Do you need to add more information? Make sure every sentence says something

necessary and important. "Juvenile delinquency is a social problem" is

poorly written

2b: Content

Order make sure paper progresses and orderly

way. Check to see if the organization of your paper followed your outline.

An outline helps you see where arguments are not supported by evidence

Balance Supply sufficient evidence, but not too

much. To support a point, use two good quotes, as opposed to five redundant quotes

Content

Emphasis Repeat major points for emphasis using

different words. Don't make the reader do the

work of figuring out how your paper progresses or what is important

Transitions – indicates logical relationships between sentences. Indicates to reader that you are shifting to a new idea, or highlights

how certain material should be understood

Content

to Indicate Addition: additionally, again, finally, furthermore;

to Indicate comparison: by comparison, likewise, similarly

to indicate contrast: although but, conversely, despite, notwithstanding, nevertheless, nonetheless

regardless, yet, on the contrary; to indicate concession: certainly, given that,

naturally, undoubtedly,

Transitions

to Indicate examples: after all, for example, for instance, such as, to illustrate;

to Indicate location: around, below, beyond, to the north, to the south;

to Indicate sequence: again, finally, first, second, third, moreover, next,

to indicate results: as a result, because, consequently, therefore;

to indicate time: after, as soon as, at that time, since, earlier;

Transitions

To Indicate Repetition: as has been argued, demonstrated, indicated, as this paper has indicated, noted, stated

as mentioned earlier, as noted earlier; as stated earlier;

To Indicate Summary or Conclusion: as a result, consequently, in conclusion, in some, on the whole, therefore, to conclude, to summarize;

Transitions

Read through document and eliminate wordiness. Make sure each word in

your paper accounts. Get rid of the fluff, the filler, the useless words, meaningless sentences. “in other words” change to

regarding; Wordy: beginning to learn concise: learns is able to start starts person of the masculine sex

males

2d: Conciseness

Slang: awesome formal: remarkable bash party dude chap stinks low-quality

2e: Elimination of Slang, Colloquialisms, Trite Expressions, and Jargon

Booze alcohol flunk fail cops police

officers kids children Trite Expressions law and order law abiding powers that be the authorities last but not least last

Colloquialisms and Trite Expressions

When writing a paper do not use the jargon of your specialty area. Imagine the audience you're writing to be broader then just people from your field who are familiar with the jargon.

Ex: the perpetrator the subject the collar the arrested

subject ethnomethodology what happens when

people consciously break norms;

Eliminating Jargon

Eliminate contractions: “don’t change to do not!

Eliminate first – person and second – person pronouns

I, me, my, mine We, our, ours You, your, yours Makes your sentences more formal;

2f: Tone

Avoid terminology reflecting stereotypes based on gender, race, ethnicity, age,

social class, disabilities, religion, family status, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.

What is the matter with the term “illegal alien”?

2g: Biased – free language

Don't use: Do Use man – made artificial, synthetic manpower workforce, staff mankind humanity, the human

race manned staffed, handled forefathers ancestors assemblyman member of the

assembly Congressman member of Congress

Gender – neutral language