Tips:

• Logical Structure and Organization

• oOutline your papers. Think about how your thought process works. Which claims should come first? Which sections prepare the reader for the next?

• Avoid Too Many Sources and Quotes

• oA paper is your argument and should mainly be your words. Too much writing that is not yours silences you.
• oThis can also be seen as a form of plagiarism, known as “patchwork plagiarism,” if too much of the paper is not your own.

• Varied Sentence Structure

• oMake sure you vary the sentence types (e.g., simple, compound, complex, compound-complex) and your ways of separating sentences and clauses (e.g., periods, semicolons, em dashes, commas, conjunctions, etc.).

• Overly Complex Language and Your Own Words

• oMany think that being overly complex and convoluted is how you write academically. It is not true. Clarity, conciseness, and claims in your own words are always much more valuable.

• Verb Tense Shifting

• oPay attention to your verb tense (e.g., present, past, future) and keep it consistent. If something is present (claims/topics), then make sure those sections are present-tense. If something is past tense (history) or future tense (future solutions), then keep those tenses consistent as well.

• Redundancy

• oAvoid repeating the same points or claims. Repetition in a paper can cause the reader to feel boredom or annoyance at the lack of progress. Keep moving forward. Only repeat yourself for intentional reasons.

• Overgeneralizing

• oOvergeneralizing and absolute language should be avoided. Terms like “always,” “everyone,” or “forever” can harm your writing. It must be arguable. Absolute language leaves no room for argument.

• Avoid Rhetorical Questions

• oGenerally, avoid using rhetorical questions. They can sometimes work, but it can be much more impactful to confidently write the answer as a claim. Your reader wants your argument, not ambiguity.