Writing: Do Make a MEAL of It!

4. Pump the brakes. No one likes an abrupt stop. When you’re winding down on a paragraph, you need to signal to the reader that you’re going to shift gears. The last sentence of a paragraph should serve as a natural transition to the next paragraph.⁶ Equally important is the transition line at the beginning of the next paragraph.

Regardless of where the transition occurs, the goal remains to help the reader follow your logic. A subsequent paragraph can extend or refute the argument that has been presented, or it can introduce an entirely new point. No matter what, you want the reader to be prepared for a change in focus and to stay with you through your transition to a new perspective or subtopic.

On the other hand, if the argument is exhausted—it stops. When your discussion is complete, the transition to the next paragraph is very different (eg, “In summary…”). This is an appropriate time to move to a new paragraph and new section.

Speaking of a new section, let’s switch our focus to form.

5. Take action. There are two types of “voice” in communication: active, in which the subject is taking some form of action (eg, You are reading this article), and passive, in which the action is performed upon the subject (eg, This article is being read by you). Active voice is preferred for several reasons—namely, clarity and space. An active sentence identifies who is doing what. The same conclusion may be reached through a passive sentence, with some effort on the reader’s part—but active sentences tend to be more concise. They also convey a sense of immediacy, hopefully drawing the reader into your article.

6. Punctuate like a pro. Punctuation is important! It provides structure, improving clarity and comprehension. Can you fathom the confusion that would occur if an author misused (or failed to use) appropriate punctuation?

Thankfully, rules regarding punctuation have not changed much over the past century. One notable exception is use of the serial (or “Oxford”) comma, which incites passionate debate among both amateur and professional linguists.⁷ (For the record, this publication uses the Oxford comma. Just ask the editors: Karen, Ann, and Amy.)

A full review of punctuation is beyond the scope of this article; however, be it known that the most problematic marks—the ones to double-check in your own writing—are the apostrophe (plural or singular possessive use), the semi-colon, the comma (or lack of), and quotation marks.⁸ To improve your punctuation, obtain a basic grammar handbook or search online.

7. Don’t volley with verbs. Verb tense should remain consistent throughout the paragraph.⁹ Paragraphs with multiple verb tenses bounce the reader’s mind back and forth. It’s like watching a ping pong match, but less enjoyable.

To check for consistency, print the manuscript and mix the order of the pages. Circle the verbs. Look at the circled words and assess the tense of each. Then, repair the damage.

It is easier to identify these types of problems with a manuscript when you’re reading the pages out of order. Editors will tell you that it is difficult to focus on particulars when you are distracted by the content of the paper. Out-of-order pages are harder to read for “sense,” so you can focus on tense, voice, and punctuation.

In conclusion, I hope I’ve helped you see that writing is a process—some say a craft—but it is one that anyone can tackle with the right mindset and preparation. Most authors have a key message; they may just need help expressing it. Starting with small elements, such as the paragraph, helps the author deliver the message clearly.