Good writing style

Liz Wager and Elaine Beller

Strunk & White

The Elements of Style (4e)W. Strunk & E.B. White JrAllyn & Bacon, Massachussetts, 2000

ISBN 0-205-30902-X

Jonathan Swift, 1667-1745

Proper words in proper places, make the true

definition of style

Scientific style

1. Have something to say(Hint: What do you want readers to DO?)

2. Say it clearly

3. Polish your prose:– cut redundant words– edit wordy phrases– remove clichés

Know your tools

• Structure• Paragraphs• Sentences• Punctuation• Words

Structures to consider

• Major & Minor (important stuff first)• In the beginning … (tell a story)• This is how you do it … (chronological)• Q&A

• Alphabetical (for reference)

What are you writing?

• Research results• Research synthesis• Commentary• Guidelines / Instructions• Educational material• Campaigning material

Paragraphs

• One idea / theme per paragraph• Help the reader / break up the text• Put key points at beginning (or end)• Put details in the middle• Let the function dictate the length• Avoid repeated one-sentence paragraphs

Sentences

• Contain a subject and a verband also an object + short words

• The verb drives the sentence• Short sentences are easiest to read• 20-30 words starts to be difficult• Try to use active constructions• Use direct / positive constructions

©Sideview

Journal editors like to receive letters

verb

subjectobject

©Sideview

Journal editors like to receive letters

especially if they are short

Misplaced modifiers

• I have discussed the question of stocking the animal house with my colleagues

• After the baby has used the bottle, rinse it thoroughly and stand it upside-down to drain in the sink

Sentences continued:

• Rewrite if > 30 words or >4 punctuations

• Bring the action (verb) close to the subject• Check plurals / singulars• Avoid hanging comparisons• Avoid clichés

Active and passive• the cat sat on the journals = active• the journals were sat upon by the cat = passive

• the blood pressure decreased = active• there was a reduction in the blood pressure

= passive

Punctuation

• If you can’t punctuate a sentence easily try shortening it or rewriting it

• Avoid >4 punctuation marks per sentence• Full stops (periods) are a great aid to sanity• You can punctuate well with only full stops

and commas• Colons and semi-colons are luxuries!

Oxford / Harvard comma

• The colours of the rainbow are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet

• The colours of the rainbow are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet

Oxford / Harvard comma

• The televisions were colour and black and white

?white TV

Oxford / Harvard comma (some real-life examples)

• “Among those interviewed were Merle Haggard’s two ex-wives, Kris Kristofferson and Robert Duvall.”

• “This book is dedicated to my parents, Ayn Rand and God.”

• “Highlights of Peter Ustinov’s global tour include encounters with Nelson Mandela, an 800-year-old demigod and a dildo collector.”

Words

• Prefer short, familiar words• Prefer direct (positive) words• Avoid redundant words• Avoid smothered verbs

Can you spot the message?

• It has been shown that the regular ingestion at 24-hourly intervals of at least one portion of the fruit of Malus sylvestris (per os) is associated with a significant reduction in the frequency of physician domiciliary visitations per head of population

Prefer concrete words

Legal / Management-speak• Vehicle• Domestic dwelling• Nutritional substance

Double negatives• Not inconsiderable• Not unwarranted• Far from minimal

Uncover the verb (nominalizations)

• Came to the conclusion that• Reached a decision to• Underwent an examination• Is indicative of• Performed an analysis

Clichés

• At the present time• A sea change• Each and every one• At the end of the day• The vast majority

George Orwell: “Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print”

Excessive caution

• There is evidence that …• It is generally believed that …• It is widely held that …

… attending workshops may improve your writing.

"Omit needless words"

Strunk & WhiteThe Elements of Style

Unhelpful long words

• Enumerate• Majority• Administer• Terminate• Approximately• Exacerbate

••••••

George Orwell: “Never use a long word where a short one will do”

Redundant words

• Prior to• In conjunction with• In order to• For the purpose of• At present• In an upward direction• Has a positive effect on

•••••••

Tautology (re-stating the obvious)

• Few in number• Joined together• Entirely absent• Very unique• Extremely life-

threatening• Very moribund

••••••

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication"

Leonardo da Vinci

Style (all you need to know)

• Clear thoughts• Short words (where possible)• Short sentences

Rules of good writing

• Know what you want to say• Know your audience• Know your medium/ format• Have a plan and stick to it• Organize your writing

Key sentences

Lancet 2011:378:403-11

[……..]

• Interesting? Dementia is a severe and challenging public-health issue affecting 35 million individuals worldwide (a number that is estimated to treble by 2050)1 and costs US$600 billion, or 1% of global gross domestic product, every year.2

• Needed? Treatment of depression in people with dementia is a clinical priority but the evidence base is sparse and equivocal. The most recent Cochrane review7 identified six relevant studies, of which only three could be meta-analysed.

• Question? We aimed to establish the clinical effectiveness of an SSRI (sertraline) and a noradrenergic and specific serotonergicantidepressant (NASSA; mirtazapine) for reduction of depression compared with placebo.

• Findings Our trial has negative findings but important clinical implications. Analysis of the data suggests clearly that antidepressants, given with normal care, are not clinically effective when compared with placebo for the treatment of clinically significant depression in dementia.

• Limitations Our study had limitations. First, drop outs might introduce bias if those lost to follow-up had a different response to the interventions or placebo compared with those completing the trial. However …

• Conclusion The practical implications of this study are that we should reframe the way we think about the treatment of people with dementia who are depressed, and reconsider the routine prescription of antidepressants.