Nobody wants to slog through a dull paper. Even readers of the most specialized technical writing deserve some enticement or leeway into their reading. This isn’t to say that all papers should open up with intense action, like soldiers storming a portcullis, sometimes all you need to grab your reader’s attention is a little directness. So I’ve compiled a brief list of tips to make even the most analytical writing pleasurable.
1) Cut.
Don’t be afraid of saying what you mean in short punchy lines. Try to pare your sentences down as much as possible. If you run into a lengthy sentence, see if you can get your point across in fewer words. You might even break a sentence in two. Now you may be thinking, how does cutting make my writing more interesting? Trimming excess words makes your reader understand your intentions faster. The goal of writing, contrary to what you might suspect, isn’t to keep your audience reading; it’s to get your point across. Sentences that don’t contribute to meaning will only bore your reader. No one wants to read fluff. You may be aiming for a length requirement, but trust me, no amount of filler will improve your content.
2) Always ask why your paper matters.
It’s easy to get so caught up in the details that you lose sight of the larger picture. One thing that I’ve learned is that no research, quote, or data can stand on its own. Don’t get me wrong, research evidence reinforces your writing, but, as the writer, it’s your job to steer this data into the direction of your argument. You may have a piece of evidence that has the potential to blow peoples’ minds, but if you don’t explain why this info is relevant they might completely miss it.
3) Make use of a variety of action verbs.
Active verbs work hard. They goad up dusty old lines from the wayside and stir sentences into flight. They can turn a slow plodding narrative to a full gallop and galvanize meditative thoughts. Many journal articles love a long passive sentence that abuses the verb “to be.” You may write in these fields, but remember to change up the pace a little bit. Just because your content may be boring doesn’t mean you have to churn out boring sentences. Change up your verbs once in a while or switch to a more active voice. The paper is yours, why not break up the monotony?
4) Remember, your audience is human.
This one seems obvious, but because writing is such a private process, it’s easy to feel like you’re writing in a vacuum. Often, as a student you just want to hand in your writing, get a decent grade, and be done with the whole process. However, a real human being will be reading your paper; teachers have yet to be replaced with machines or replicants. Before turning something in it might be useful to ask yourself, is this something I would read or endorse?
If you’d like to get some feedback on your writing from genuine human beings, stop by the WC.
