Stylish Academic Writing

Elegant data and ideas deserve elegant expression, argues Helen Sword in this lively guide to academic writing. For scholars frustrated with disciplinary conventions, and for specialists who want to write for a larger audience but are unsure where to begin, here are imaginative, practical, witty pointers that show how to make articles and books a pleasure to read—and to write. Dispelling the myth that you cannot get published without writing wordy, impersonal prose, Sword shows how much journal editors and readers welcome work that avoids excessive jargon and abstraction. Sword’s analysis of more than a thousand peer-reviewed articles across a wide range of fields documents a startling gap between how academics typically describe good writing and the turgid prose they regularly produce. __Stylish Academic Writing__ showcases a range of scholars from the sciences, humanities, and social sciences who write with vividness and panache. Individual chapters take up specific elements of style, such as titles and headings, chapter openings, and structure, and close with examples of transferable techniques that any writer can master. Elegant Data And Ideas Deserve Elegant Expression, Argues Helen Sword In This Lively Guide To Academic Writing. For Scholars Frustrated With Disciplinary Conventions, And For Specialists Who Want To Write For A Larger Audience But Are Unsure Where To Begin, Here Are Imaginative, Practical, Witty Pointers That Show How To Make Articles And Books A Pleasure To Read -- And To Write. Dispelling The Myth That You Cannot Get Published Without Writing Wordy, Impersonal Prose, Sword Shows How Much Journal Editors And Readers Welcome Work That Avoids Excessive Jargon And Abstraction. Sword's Analysis Of More Than A Thousand Peer-reviewed Articles Across A Wide Range Of Fields Documents A Startling Gap Between How Academics Typically Describe Good Writing And The Turgid Prose They Regularly Produce. Stylish Academic Writing Showcases A Range Of Scholars From The Sciences, Humanities, And Social Sciences Who Write With Vividness And Panache. Individual Chapters Take Up Specific Elements Of Style, Such As Titles And Headings, Chapter Openings, And Structure, And Close With Examples Of Transferable Techniques That Any Writer Can Master. - Publisher. Pt. I, Style And Substance : -- 1. Rules Of Engagement -- 2. On Being Disciplined -- 3. A Guide To The Style Guides -- Pt. Ii, The Elements Of Stylishness : -- 4. Voice And Echo -- 5. Smart Sentencing -- 6. Tempting Titles -- 7. Hooks And Sinkers -- 8. The Story Net -- 9. Show And Tell -- 10. Jargonitis -- 11. Structural Designs -- 12. Points Of Reference -- 13. The Big Picture -- 14. The Creative Touch -- Afterword : Becoming A Stylish Writer. Helen Sword. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 199-211) And Index. Elegant data and ideas deserve elegant expression, argues Helen Sword in this lively guide to academic writing. For scholars frustrated with disciplinary conventions, and for specialists who want to write for a larger audience but are unsure where to begin, here are imaginative, practical, witty pointers that show how to make articles and books a pleasure to read and to write. Dispelling the myth that you cannot get published without writing wordy, impersonal prose, Sword shows how much journal editors and readers welcome work that avoids excessive jargon and abstraction. Sword s analysis of more than a thousand peer-reviewed articles across a wide range of fields documents a startling gap between how academics typically describe good writing and the turgid prose they regularly produce. "Stylish Academic Writing" showcases a range of scholars from the sciences, humanities, and social sciences who write with vividness and panache. Individual chapters take up specific elements of style, such as titles and headings, chapter openings, and structure, and close with examples of transferable techniques that any writer can master. Contents 6 Part I: Style and Substance 10 1. Rules of Engagement 12 2. On Being Disciplined 21 3. A Guide to the Style Guides 32 Part II: The Elements of Stylishness 42 4. Voice and Echo 44 5. Smart Sentencing 57 6. Tempting Titles 72 7. Hooks and Sinkers 85 8. The Story Net 96 9. Show and Tell 108 10. Jargonitis 121 11. Structural Designs 131 12. Points of Reference 144 13. The Big Picture 156 14. The Creative Touch 168 Afterword: Becoming a Stylish Writer 182 Appendix 186 Notes 192 Bibliography 208 Acknowledgments 222 Index 226