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\r\nPhoto by Alex Michaelsen<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Academic writing has a reputation for being dry and hard to struggle through, but it doesn\u2019t have to be that way. I am the post-graduate proof-reader<\/a>. I’m a qualitative psychologist and novel writer, and I\u2019ve proofed more PhDs than you\u2019ve had hot toddies, so I know how to make formal language sing. Here are my five easy fixes. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Align your work to the left. Justifying leaves unsightly spaces between words \u2013 spaces which, when I worked on magazines, we used to fill with unnecessary \u2018buts\u2019 and \u2018whys\u2019 and \u2018therefores\u2019. Do everyone a favour and hit align left. This simple step will make your eyes sigh with relief.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Inserting returns between your paragraphs is another stunningly easy fix which will have your examiners smiling. It\u2019s easier to read text that\u2019s spaced out than words which are crammed together.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Postgraduate work is brain-breaking stuff. Sometimes our ideas are complex and feel too big to be hemmed in by such bourgeois notions as short sentences. As you start writing, you might find that your ideas run on and on. That\u2019s fine for a first draft, but always go back and try to divide those monstrous marathons up. Look for where you\u2019ve used the word \u2018and\u2019. Can you delete it and start a sentence? Can you delete it? Start a new sentence? (See? It\u2019s simple.) Your readers will thank you. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n No matter what you\u2019re writing \u2013 an epic poem, the great British novel, a paper on the latest discoveries about the phonological loop \u2013 William Strunk\u2019s famous edict applies. Effective writing is concise.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Mistakes I see a lot include writing \u2018all of the participants\u2019 where \u2018all participants\u2019 would do; \u2018appears to suggest\u2019 where \u2018suggests\u2019 works well; or \u2018For P1, the experience of rain was distressing\u2019 where \u2018P1 found the rain distressing\u2019 is far more elegant.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This one is a bit trickier as you have to learn which words don\u2019t work in a formal environment. However, as with all writing \u2013 academic or creative \u2013 it helps to be specific. Don\u2019t say \u2018things\u2019 when what you mean is \u2018negative elements\u2019. Avoid the word \u2018normal\u2019, especially if you\u2019re talking about people, as it implies that some people are abnormal. And never use the word \u2018very\u2019. Your writing will sound stronger without it. Trust me!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For more on this topic, check out our top tips for formal writing<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If all this sounds knackering and you just want to get back to writing your next grant application or maybe even watching a bit of Killing Eve with your long-suffering spouse, fear not. Just get in touch with the post-graduate proof-reader<\/a> and I can help you complete all these fixes and many more so that your academic writing becomes something to write home about. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Photo by Radu Florin<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n