SOCI2000: 7.0 Writing and Presenting Research

Slides for Week 7

Readings

Harrigan, How to write a short paper

Strunk & White, ‘Elementary principles of composition’ in Elements of Style. (available via Leganto on iLearn) (or just Google).

Orwell, Politics and the English Language.


Concepts

Advice from start of lecture:

Find a model

Prioritise the logical argument

Topic sentences

Refer back to main argument

Use consistent terminology

Focus on the main story

Advice from ‘How to write short paper’

Structure

Paper is made up of paragraphs

Paragraphs are made up of sections

PEEL structure for body paragraph

Simplicity

Never use long word when a short one will do

Cut words

Write to communicate

Use parallel construction

Vividness

Use examples

Write in the concrete

Keep them short, original, memorable

Advice from ‘Strunk and White’

Choose a suitable design and hold it

Use the active voice

Put statements in the positive form.

Use definite, specific, concrete language.

Keep related words together

Begin with a topic sentence.

Make the paragraph the unit of composition

Omit needless words

Express coordinate ideas in similar form.

Orwell

Don’t use clichés

Avoid long words

Cut words when you can

Use active voice

Avoid jargon

Don’t say anything barbarous


Last updated on 24 April, 2020 by Dr Nicholas Harrigan (nicholas.harrigan@mq.edu.au)