Tips on Writing

State the Issue in the Introductory Paragraph.

After reading the first paragraph, or at least the first few paragraphs, the reader should know the content of the paper and why it is worth reading. Help the reader with the content by providing a summary list of what follows--five, plus or minus two, sections are a useful norm.

Provide a Clear Structure with Headings.

One strategy is to use the summary list from the introduction as the headings for the sections that follow.

Provide Clear Transitions.

Writing is necessarily linear, but ideas are often a web. In addition to the headings between sections noted above, provide transition sentences or phrases between paragraphs to help the reader follow from one idea to the next.

Use Consistent Language.

To help the reader follow your ideas use words in a consistent way. Don't, for example, describe something as a meeting one time and an event the next. Repeating a key word or phrase can be good way to bridge paragraphs and guide the reader through transitions.

Make Paragraphs Coherent.

Each paragraph should have a theme, often best made clear in the first sentence or two. Paragraphs should also vary in length as necessary to adjust for different content and intent. Use a short paragraph to emphasize an idea.

Keep Sentences Short.

In general, the average sentence length for a JOLE paper should be less than 20 words, with a readability score not exceeding the 12th-grade level. (Almost all word-processing programs now offer readability scoring.) As with paragraphs, sentence length should vary as necessary to adjust for content and intent. As with paragraphs, use short sentences for emphasis.

Use Simple Words Efficiently.

Strive to avoid the academic when a common word will do. For example, use "to" in place of "in order to"; use "use" rather than utilizing "utilize." Cut out deadwood!

Use Active Verbs.

"I surveyed the community" is active; "The community was surveyed" is passive. JOLE prefers the former, which is much clearer and more interesting (less bureaucratic) to read. As a general rule use a passive construction only where the emphasis is not on the action.

Write in First Person.

JOLE encourages the use of the first person pronoun "I" or "we" in submissions. "We surveyed 50 leaders in our study" is active, efficient, accurate, and preferred over the alternative "Fifty leaders were surveyed in our study."

Avoid Using Nouns as Verbs.

Don't hide a strong verb such as "produced" in a noun, "production." Many words with "tion" ending can be recast as strong verbs.

Conclude Well.

A summary of the topic and major points may be sufficient, but good conclusions often make a key point--perhaps examine the issue in a larger context, or reflect on issues not discussed, or speak about the future.