MUPIC COURSE

The main goal should be to write clear and concise sentences which convey meaning correctly and fluently. Short and simple sentences are usually more effective than long and complex ones. If in doubt, try to split long sentences into two or three shorter ones. This is especially important if English is not your first language, or if you are not an experienced writer.    

Remember that in good writing, we should avoid superfluous phrases and complicated sentences. Simple sentences work best and less is usually more.

Redundant phrases – try to avoid duplicate expressions with a similar meaning

Sentence Sprawl –  a sentence can become difficult to read and understand when there are too many equally weighted phrases.  It occurs when a writer strings too many subordinate or coordinate clauses together in one sentence.  

Example:
A clumsy, tiresome sentence: The meeting had been planned for Monday, October 27, but there were some people who were not going to be available, so they rescheduled it for Thursday, October 30, and then all people would be able to attend.

While there is nothing grammatically incorrect in the sentence above, it is too wordy and does not communicate clearly and concisely.

Better: The meeting, which had been planned for Monday, October 27, was rescheduled for Thursday so that everyone would be able to attend.

Sometimes, a minor change in word order would help the text.

Example:

Incorrect: It is important to take into consideration in order to analyze the market, the internal analysis of Vesuvius which is a summary of strengths and weaknesses and the external analysis of the company identifying opportunities and threats.

Better: To analyze the market, it is important to take into consideration both the internal analysis of the company which summarizes its strengths and weaknesses and the external one identifying opportunities and threats.

The use of passive voice

Scientific writing traditionally relies on the use of passive voice which is often preferred in lab reports and scientific research papers. Over the past several years, however, there has been a movement within many disciplines away from passive voice. Scientists often now prefer active voice parts of their reports, occasionally using the subject “we”.  Looking for opportunities to replace passive voice with active voice can make your sentences stronger and shorter.

Lack of Parallel Structure is one of the frequently made mistakes.

It occurs when two or more parts of a sentence are similar in meaning but not parallel (or grammatically similar) in form. It often occurs with paired constructions and items in a series.

Example:

Incorrect: He wanted to learn more about careers in programming, engineering, biochemist, and research scientist.

Correct: He wanted to learn more about careers in programming, engineering, biochemistry, and research science.

Remember that the subject and verb of a sentence must agree with one another in number, whether they are singular or plural. If the subject of the sentence is singular, its verb must also be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

Example: 

Incorrect: A marketing manager needs to know whether they are doing their job properly.

Correct: Marketing managers need to know whether they are doing their job properly.

Avoid using “I” in academic writing/report writing

Reports should be objective. The convention is to avoid “I” and use “we” instead, as could be recommended in the sentence below. 

Example:

Incorrect: According to the suggestions of the reviewers, I have been investigating on three levels.

Correct: According to the suggestions of the reviewers, we have been investigating on three levels.