Avoiding Wordiness & Redundancy: Tips for Clear Writing

Imagine reading a thick work report. Your eyes start to glaze over from too many adjectives and repetitive parts. Every sentence feels like a big hurdle. But don’t worry. We’ve all been there. The good news is, learning to write clearly is the first step to making text understandable. Focusing on writing concisely means cutting out the extra fluff. This is similar to how Michelangelo…

Effective Use of Transitional Words and Phrases in Scientific Manuscripts

Ever felt overwhelmed by a scientific paper? You’re not alone. Early on, I wrote a paper that felt more like a roller coaster than a journey. My advisor pointed out that my transitions were missing. He said they made my argument hard to follow. This was a defining moment for me. It highlighted the key role transitions play in making our writing clear. Mastering Transitional…

Parallel Structure in Lists and Comparisons for Scientific Writing

In a lively coffee shop, I overheard two young scientists speaking. One was finding it hard to structure her sentences for a research paper. The other enjoyed speaking about grammar and joined in. They talked about the importance of using parallel structure in lists and comparisons for scientific writing. The grammar lover explained that parallelism makes sentences clear and smooth. She gave an example: “‘I…

Correct Usage of Articles (a, an, the) in Scientific Papers

Picture being in the grand halls of the Smithsonian Museum, surrounded by amazing exhibits. Imagine you pause, struck by this thought: just as we must label artifacts clearly, scientific papers need correct article usage for clarity. This idea isn’t just from a museum visit. Scholars, like Biber et al. (1999), say “the” is twice as often used in academic writing as “a” or “an.” This…