To write effectively, you need to decide which appreciate the various types of paragraphs you can write. You should then follow the rules on how to write these paragraphs. The first type of paragraphs—perhaps the simplest—outlines one key study. That is, the entire paragraph describes a study that is vital to your research aims, objectives, or hypotheses.
Here is an example
Research shows that articles that are easier to understand tend to be judged more favourably. To illustrate, Smith and Jones (2015) conducted a study to assess whether sentences that comprise simple, common words are perceived as more accurate than sentences that comprise uncommon words. Participants evaluated the plausibility of a series of sentences on a scale that ranges from unlikely to very likely. Half the sentences were embedded with a word that fewer than 50% of the population understand. Which sentences comprised these words varied randomly across participants. Relative to the other sentences, the sentences that comprised these uncommon words were judged as significantly less plausible.
To write these paragraphs, follow these suggestions
Suggestions | Example |
|---|---|
Typically, the first sentence should outline the argument you want to demonstrate | Research shows that articles that are easier to understand tend to be judged more favourably. |
The next sentence or two will describe the aim of this study | To illustrate, Smith and Jones (2015) conducted a study to assess whether sentences that comprise simple, common words are perceived as more accurate than sentences that comprise uncommon words |
The next one to four sentences will tend to describe the method | Participants evaluated the plausibility of a series of sentences on a scale that ranges from unlikely to very likely. Half the sentences were embedded with a word that fewer than 50% of the population understand. Which sentences comprised these words varied randomly across participants |
The next one to three sentences will often summarise the results | Relative to the other sentences, the sentences that comprised these uncommon words were judged as significantly less plausible. |
Occasionally, especially if the results are complex, the final sentence or two will summarise what this study shows. |
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Exercise
4.1 From your collection of references, or from other sources, identify 20 or more of the key studies you want to summarise in your thesis. Examples include studies that inspired your research or are similar to your research
Exercise
4.2 Utilise the previous suggestions to write a preliminary version of these paragraphs. That is, you may
- outline the key argument, aim of the study, method, results, and conclusion
- if you like, include or adapt relevant sentences you have already written
- record these paragraphs in your working document
- do not worry about the precise wording yet.
Improving these paragraphs: Unambiguous pronouns and phrases
Exercise
4.3 Gradually improve the degree to which these paragraphs are written precisely rather than ambiguously. To achieve this goal, learn how to avoid ambiguous pronouns—words that represent nouns or objects, such as this and they. In particular, attempt to improve the flawed sentences in the left column of the following table. The middle column defines the flaw. The right column presents a preferred sentence.
Flawed sentences | Concerns | Better sentences |
|---|---|---|
Those who conduct qualitative research may conduct meta-ethnography instead of systematic reviews |
| Individuals who conduct qualitative research may conduct meta-ethnography instead of systematic reviews |
Although Smith (2000) recommends meta-ethnography, others have developed alternative techniques |
| Although Smith (2000) recommends meta-ethnography, other researchers have developed alternative techniques |
When conducting systematic reviews, researchers need to stipulate inclusion criteria. They include the interventions, comparison groups, outcomes, and study designs |
| When conducting systematic reviews, researchers need to stipulate inclusion criteria. These criteria include the interventions, comparison groups, outcomes, and study designs |
One should assess statistical assumptions |
| Researchers should assess statistical assumptions |
When conducting systematic reviews, some researchers contact relevant authors, which is recommended. |
| When conducting systematic reviews, some researchers contact relevant authors—a practice that scholars often recommend. |
Exercise
4.4 Now, clarify ambiguous pronouns in the sentences and paragraphs you have written. If you do not achieve this goal, the reader will eventually decipher the pronoun—but this slight delay can diminish the credibility of your writing. Specifically
- replace the word those with a specific noun. For example, those who like to read should be people who like to read
- specify to what others refers, such as other people or other methods
- identify other pronouns in your paragraphs, such as they. Ensure these pronouns are unambiguous
- avoid the word one to indicate a person. To illustrate, one should read 10 books could be adults should read 10 books.
Exercise
4.5 Besides words, sometimes phrases are hazy and ambiguous. In particular colloquial phrases, informal phrases, and metaphors—such as at the end of the day—are often ambiguous, because their meaning varies across people. Therefore
- attempt to identify colloquial phrases, informal phrases, and metaphors in your sentences and paragraphs
- in scientific writing, replace these phrases with more precise words, if possible
Exercise
| This document summarises principles this program recommends. To improve the sentences you have written, apply all the recommendations that correspond to Levels 2 or 3 in this document |