Couching my KISS

One piece of advice I got from one of my supervisors in regards to my proposal was, "KISS". "KISS" is an acronym for Keep It Simple, Stupid. An interesting piece of advice for someone who likes to make, "bold unsupported statements" according to another supervisor. The latter supervisor highly suggests "couching" my remarks to avoid making these overly simplistic statements. The act of couching aims to make your writing less definitive where multiple views exist. For example, one might change their writing from "blank will be impacted by blank", to "blank will likely be impacted by blank (ref.; ref.; ref.)". So "KISS" and couching might seem like they are very much mutually exclusive "styles" of scientific writing. Not the case.

For this scientific writer, I often get slammed by my reviewers (supervisors) for adding supporting information to a particular point or statement that might be better done with a series of references. This speaks to the KISS principle, where I need not add "excess" information to a point or statement where proper referencing will do. After I have "trimmed the fat" of this supporting information, I have a tendency to leave the original particular point or statement intact (i.e., as if the supporting information was still there). This is where I get slammed by reviewer (supervisor) #2 of being too definitive in my particular point or statement. Rightfully so, after trimming the fat", these points or statements seem very ultimate or final where they might need a small douse of ambiguity.

So how to make these work together? For me, after KISSing, I will be sure to rework the original point or statement that is left standing to reflect the material that was cut paying particular attention to make sure the statement is not too definitive if other views exist. Thereby, keeping the writing simple and couching.

Dyslexie -font for dyslectics

Dyslectics often have problems with reading and writing. A new typeface has just emerged specifically geared towards minimizing some of these problems. Check it out here.

"too conversational"

A comment that I find writing a lot on the REM 100 term papers that I correct is, "too conversational". This basically translates into, "you write like you talk, and you talk like an idiot". I believe that most high school English teachers teach their students that writing like you speak is wrong, because what you are saying. and ultimately writing, is a lot of "um", "like you know", and "I feel like..." 's. Writing this way is wrong because it invokes the sense of rambling, which in your term paper writing equates to wasting words or filling up space because you either don't know what to say or don't have the training to say it properly. So I believe my writing the comment, "too conversational" is usually justified.

Peering beyond the prospect of rambling, I recently ran across a blog that stated, "if you want people to learn and remember what you write, say it conversationally." That is to say, when you want people to learn what you are reading you should be writing informally, or conversationally. The blog goes on to summarize the studies that demonstrate this interesting idea. This is all well and good for the fiction and most non-fiction with the special exceptions of technical and peer-reviewed journal writing. Unfortunately, I wish to write in peer-reviewed journals where the age old paradigms of attention to formal detail and process still exist. If I ever write a book I look forward to unleashing my creative talents in story form. But, since I am not changing the format of the jornal article in my generation, back to the factory settings.

Structured Procrastination?

Yep, it's real. Check it out here.

Basically, make a list and put important things at the top. Just make sure the important things at the top are really not that pressing. Examples include make peace with God, feed kitten, and reconcile with estranged child. Wait, that second one is kinda pressing. I will be right back.

Metaphor, Analogy, or Simile

What is the appropriate use of these commonly mixed up words? Let's compare.

Metaphor: a figure of speech that uses a image, story, or tangible thing to represent another thing or some intangible quality or idea. For example, "All the world's a stage." -Shakespeare

Simile: compares two different things to create a new meaning. Often uses the words "like" or "as". For example, the world is like a stage.

Analogy: a comparison between two things that might seem different. Often used in standardized tests in the form "A is to B as C is to D".

Thanks Yahoo Answers

Condusive?

Just finished writing a email and wanted to use the word "condusive". Despite being used quite frequently in the spoken word, this word is not condusive to proper grammar. The word that one would want to use in the written word is "conductive".

Conductive: tending to produce; conducing; contributive; helpful; favorable (usually fol. by "to"): Good eating habits are conducive to good health.

Beginning a sentance with "this"

Is beginning a sentence with "this" grammatically correct?

Short answer, yes.

However, it is imperative that it is clear what the "this" is referring to. "This" should refer to something in the previous sentence. Additionally, beginning too many sentences with "this" can make your writing have a monotonous tone.

Thanks for the help other bloggers!