10 Tips on How to Write Less Badly

Michael C. Munger has a wonderful post with 10 Tips on How to Write Less Badly at the Chronicle of Higher Education. He raises the point that few academics receive solid training in writing, yet the foundation of tenure, grant writing etc. is based on being able to clearly and concisely write about research. His tips, in brief, are this:

1. Writing is an exercise. (Practice, a lot.)

2. Set goals based on output, not input. (Time in chair may not get the results need – set specific section, project, word or page number goals.)

3. Find a voice; don't just "get published." (Publishing for publishing sake means bad writing.)

4. Give yourself time. (Good Thinking = Good Writing ∴ Take Time)

5. Everyone's unwritten work is brilliant. (Actually exploring ideas make you realize how much you don't know.)

6. Pick a puzzle. (Conceptualize ideas in different ways.)

7. Write, then squeeze the other things in. (Schedule!)

8. Not all of your thoughts are profound. (You have to go through a lot of crappy writing to get to the good.)

9. Your most profound thoughts are often wrong. (Revision, of ideas, not just words, is necessary.)

10. Edit your work, over and over. (And find writer friends to reciprocate.)