Research Paper Style Words

The Basics of Research Paper Style

The following section covers the basics of research paper writing style.

WORDS

    Write simply and directly. Perhaps you were told to use as many multisyllabic words as possible since "big" words dazzle people. Most of the time, however, big words just set up barriers between you and your audience. Instead of using words for the sake of impressing your readers, write simply and directly.
Select your words carefully to convey your thoughts vividly and precisely. For example, blissful, blithe, cheerful, contented, ecstatic, joyful, and gladdened all mean "happy"-yet each one conveys a different shade of meaning.

•     Use words that are accurate, suitable, and familiar.
•     Accurate words say what you mean.
•     Suitable words convey your tone and fit with the other words in the document.
•     Familiar words are easy to read and understand.

As you write your research paper, you want words that express the importance of the subject but aren't stuffy or overblown. Refer to yourself as / if you are involved with the subject, but always keep the focus on the subject rather than on yourself. Remember, this is academic writing, not memoir.
• Avoid slang, regional words, and nonstandard diction. Below is a brief list of words that are never correct in academic writing. The right-hand column shows the correct words and phrases.

 Nonstandard Words' and expressions

• Nonstandard	Standard
  irregardless	regardless
  being that	since
  had ought	ought
  could of	could have
  this here	this
  try and do	try to do
  off of	of
  that there	that

    Always use bias-free language. Use words and phrases that don't discriminate on the basis of gender, physical condition, age, or race. For instance, avoid using he to refer to both men and women. Never use language that denigrates people or excludes one gender. Watch for phrases that suggest women and men behave in stereotypical ways, such as talkative women.
In addition, always try to refer to a group by the term it prefers. Language changes, so stay on the cutting edge. For instance, today the term "Asian" is preferred to "Oriental."

SENTENCES

Effective writing uses sentences of different lengths and types to create variety and interest. Craft your sentences to express your ideas in the best possible way. Here are some guidelines:
•    Mix simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences for a more effective style. When your topic is complicated or full of numbers, use simple sentences to aid understanding. Use longer, more complex sentences to show how ideas are linked together and to avoid repetition.

•     Select the subject of each sentence based on what you want to emphasize.
•     Add adjectives and adverbs to a sentence (when suitable) for emphasis and variety.
•     Repeat keywords or ideas for emphasis.
•     Use the active voice, not the passive voice.
•     Use transitions to link ideas.