PSY383 - Seibert

• Avoid disciplinary jargon
  • Replace unnecessary jargon with a simpler phrase or word
  • If you can't replace it, define the term (for people who don't have a background in your discipline)
• Write simply, concisely, and directly
• Don't be overly wordy
• Use active voice
• Write positively
• Titles and/or headings should be short, yet highlight what is unique or important about that section
• Write a chronological narrative
• Your introduction should hook your reader - Open with a relevant quotation, question, story, problem, declarative statement, or illustration that encapsulates what you want to say about that subject
  • Provide the reader with enough context and background so that they understand the main argument and importance of the research
• Provide lots of examples to make abstract concepts concrete; use anecdotes or descriptive imagery
• Avoid charts and tables that would be difficult for a non-expert to interpret 

*Remember – Academic journals contain several different kinds of writing. For your assignments, you need to find empirical research (scholarly) articles­. You do not want to use a book review, literature review, editorial review, research note or letter.

It's not just you...the drawing in the article below is a bit creepy looking...