Common Mistakes
Mistakes commonly made in Oshkosh Scholar submissions.
Undefined Jargon
Define terms. You know what you’re talking about, but would someone in a different field understand your article? Keep this in mind when you’re using terms that are specific to your discipline.
Wordiness
Don’t use three words to state what could be said in one. Here’s a list of 10 common wordy phrases:
|
Don’t Say… |
Say… |
|
based on the fact that |
because |
|
at the present time |
now |
|
for the purpose of |
for/to |
|
any particular type |
any type |
|
the present study |
this study |
|
there were several students who answered |
several students answered |
|
demonstrate a preference for |
prefer |
|
in spite of the fact that |
although |
|
in order to |
to |
|
has the ability to |
can |
Redundancy
Don’t use extra words to emphasize your point. Just say what you mean! Here’s a list of common redundancies:
|
Don’t Say… |
Say… |
|
really/very prominent |
prominent |
|
both alike |
alike |
|
a total of 50 students |
50 students |
|
seven different people |
seven people |
|
exactly the same |
the same |
|
absolutely essential |
essential |
|
previously researched |
researched |
|
large in size |
large |
|
in close proximity |
close |
|
completely gone |
gone |
|
period of time |
time |
Pronouns
Simple pronouns can cause confusion among readers. Be specific when you write this, that, these, those. Write, “This experiment,” or “those formulas” to remove ambiguity.
Use First Person
Change sentences from this, “The experimenters discussed the effects of the…” to “We discussed...” In this case “we” refers to you and your coauthors only; any use of “we” beyond that meaning causes ambiguity. Use “I” if you are the author.
Use Active Voice
| Passive Voice |
Active Voice |
|---|---|
| The experiment was completed in a lab. |
We completed the experiment in a lab. |
| Twenty aptitude tests were designed by Carter (2008). | Carter (2008) designed 20 aptitude tests. |
| Participants were asked by the experimenters to… | We asked participants to… |
However, when you want the focus on the recipient of the action, use the passive voice:
| Active Voice |
Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| We attached the tubes to the bottom and top of the chair. | The tubes were attached to the top and bottom of the chair. |
| John Smith shot the president. (emphasizes who did the shooting | The president was shot. (emphasizes who was shot) |
Celebration of Scholarship & GradSchool Fest: April 18
