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Writing Style: Principles of Clarity
The indispensable characteristic of a good writer is a style marked by lucidity.
~Ernest Hemingway
In honor of Hemingway’s insight, the chief goal of this handout is to offer a brief list of helpful
techniques that experienced writers use. This handout should help take the mystery out of how skilled
writers think and how they produce quality prose. By mastering these practical tips, you will begin to
think and write like them yourself!
Principle 1:
Revise
The role of a first draft is to get words and ideas on to the page by whatever means necessary. Don’t
waste time polishing sentences that may not appear in a final draft. Revise your next to final draft for
clarity and always think about how a reader will make sense of your writing.
Principle 2:
Read aloud
When you are ready to revise for clarity, read your paper aloud and listen for sentences that sound odd, or
you have to take a gulp of air before coming to the end. When we write for academia and business, we
often use convoluted wording and longer sentences because we think it sounds more formal. It doesn’t!
The production and advertisement of our product, has been greatly affected by this trend, but I
strongly hold firm to the belief that our product, No-Sweat deodorant, can be successfully sold through
advertising that concentrates on safety for the environment and convenience for the consumer, and
suggests that a certain amount of freedom from bodily odor and excessive perspiration can be gained
with a minimum of damage to the ozone layer.
How many times did you have to read this before you understood it? Strive to write sentences that are
easily understood after just one reading. This can mean a combination of longer and shorter sentences.
Principle 3:
Eliminate wordiness. Be concise!
Avoid meaningless words and repeated words with the same meaning: various, generally, actually, kind
of, each and every, first and foremost, future plans, close proximity, final outcome, completely destroyed,
entirely easy, regular routine, end result, etc.
Replace wordy phrases with more concise choices
at all times
always
despite the fact that
even though
in the event that
if
concerning the matter of
about
at that point in time
then
the reason for
why
Change negatives to affirmatives when possible: not notice  ignore; not forget remember.
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Principle 4:
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Get rid of nominalizations
Nominalizations are nouns that are formed from verbs:
investigation from investigate; refusal from refuse; discussion from discuss
Example:
The collection of data by David Foster Wallace led to his book Infinite Jest.
When you place the action of a sentence in an abstract noun rather than the verb, where it should be, the
writing loses strength. Instead, place the action in the verb and aim to use the active voice. Sentences
seem clearer when actions are verbs. To be more concise with the above example, we could write:
David Foster Wallace collected data and wrote Infinite Jest. or
David Foster Wallace wrote Infinite Jest with the data he collected.
Nominalizations are used because they sound more formal, but because they are often indirect, you
should use an active verb instead.
Principle 5:
Coherence
Avoid using synonyms for recurring key words. Repetition of key terms and phrases helps keep your
readers on track. Repeat these words at the beginning of paragraphs to remind readers of your message
and where you are heading. These words act as a thread holding your essay together!
Principle 6:
Use Pronouns Carefully
This, that, these, those, he, she, it, and they are useful pronouns to refer back to something previously
mentioned. Be careful, however, that your pronouns refer clearly to specific nouns. Use a referent for
demonstratives (e.g., this test, that trial, these reports) to avoid possible ambiguity.
Principle 7:
Use Transitional Words
Cue the reader to relationships between ideas by using transitional words. Be careful, however, not to
overdo your use of transitional words.
Ex: then, next, while, since, therefore, consequently, as a result, in addition, for example, accordingly
moreover, furthermore, but, however, nevertheless, whereas, on the contrary, etc.
Principle 8:
Write like YOU
The words style and voice are daunting, and ‘finding’ your style and voice is a difficult task. However, it
is important to write with the words you know (i.e. do not right click every word and look for synonyms)
and talk about the things that are important to you. If you try to sound scholarly or knowledgeable, you
will end up with bloated, dispassionate writing. You will sound honest and convincing if you write like
yourself.
Follow Kurt Vonnegut’s Simple Advice
Find a subject you care about. Do not ramble, though. Keep it simple. Have guts to cut. Sound like
yourself. Say what you mean. Pity the readers.