Paper
Writing Tips
Make an argument – a statement that clearly presents your position.
Example of a clear argument: I disagree with Karl and Schmitter about democracy necessarily involving competition among politicians.
Provide three to four points in support of your main argument. Explain each one well, one at a time. Present only one main point per paragraph!
If you agree with the main point of the reading, then explain why you agree – provide reasons as to why the claims are convincing. It is not enough to quote the reading and then say “I agree.”
Dedicate a separate paragraph to each sub-argument or point and explain it. It helps when you provide examples to illustrate your points.
It is better to have three well-developed and clearly explained points that support your main argument, than to have a 1000 unrelated sentences each of which presents an underdeveloped idea.
Paragraphs should include a topic sentence (a first sentence which presents the main idea of the paragraph) and cannot be less than 4 sentences in length (except for the introduction and conclusion, which may be 2-4 sentences in length).
Use only full sentences. Each sentence must have a verb.
Incorrect: Thus showing citizens are a crucial factor in democracy.
Revised: Citizens are a crucial factor in democracy.
Do not use “you,” “our,” “us,” “me,” “we.”
Incorrect: The more money you have, the better off you are.
Revised: The more money one has, the better off one is.
Even better: The more money a state has, the better off it is.
Be specific:
Incorrect: I agree with the reading.
Revised: I agree with Karl and Schmitter’s argument that the citizenry is a vital part of democracy.
Avoid generalizations!
Incorrect: Having money is always better.
Revised: States that are able to collect more in taxes succeed in war.
Or: In most situations richer individuals have better chances in life.
Don’t use qualifiers (“really,” “very,” “surely,” “often,” “hopefully,” “basically,” etc.). These terms make your paper sound unsure and tentative.
Example: The argument is very exciting.
Subject-verb agreement; “Everyone” and “everybody” are always singular.
Incorrect: Each of the project partners are responsible for writing a chapter summary.
Revised: Each of the project partners is responsible for writing a chapter summary.
Incorrect: A majority of the student body are interested in politics.
Revised: A majority of the student body is interested in politics.
Incorrect: I agree with him that government can create their own threats.
Revised: I agree with him that government can create its own threats.
it’s = it is
its = that belongs to it
Incorrect: Society consists of many different groups. It’s composition varies by country.
Revised: Society consists of many different groups. Its composition varies by country.
Do not use contractions. (“doesn’t,” “won’t” “shouldn’t,” “can’t”)
Use the full form instead – does not, will not, should not, cannot. (cannot is one word!)
Incorrect: Democracy doesn’t mean higher economic growth.
Revised: Democracy does not mean higher economic growth.
Do not use conversational language or slang.
Incorrect: I agree with the statement one hundred percent.
Revised: I fully agree with the statement.
Eliminate throat-clearing phrases.
Example: In my opinion, I think that this article is very helpful to the reader. I agree with several of the authors’ arguments of the various parts and subdivisions of a democracy.
Do not use “I think,” or “I believe,” “I find,” or “In my opinion.” There is no need because the readers know who the author of your paper is.
Incorrect: I found this essay helpful in understanding how a democracy works, and I believe it is useful in explaining all the details of what it actually means to be a part of a democracy.
Revised: This essay is helpful in understanding how a democracy works and useful in explaining all the details of what it means to be a part of a democracy.
Do not quote from the original source often. It is always preferable to paraphrase, use your words, instead. The more you quote, the less of your own writing appears. I want to read your writing, not another author's. I know it is tempting because it takes up space – resist the temptation.
Do not use words like "thing," "something," or "stuff." They are vague and non-descriptive. Use a dictionary or a thesaurus (dictionary of synonyms) to find a precise word to use instead.
Avoid the passive voice – or the reader will not know who is performing the action.
Incorrect: In “What Democracy Is … and Is Not” by Schmitter and Karl, it is argued that democracy is a system of governance …
Revised: In “What Democracy Is … and Is Not” Schmitter and Karl argue that democracy is a system of governance …
Do not change the verb tense in the middle of a paragraph – stick to one tense!
Incorrect: Tilly argues that states came about as protection rackets. He claimed that they operated like the mafia.
Revised: Tilly argues that states came about as protection rackets. He claims that they operated like the mafia.
Proof-read! Computer spell-checkers are not enough.
Incorrect: Politicians are accountable to citizens because of there ability to vote them out of office.
Do not capitalize any of these words: democracy, legislature, executive, and capitalism.
