There’s a science behind writing clearer sentences, Yellowlees Douglas writes.
Academic writing doesn’t have to be mysterious—or impenetrable. In Inside Higher Ed, writing expert and former professor Yellowlees Douglas shares five research-backed strategies that make scholarly prose clearer and more publishable. From using active voice and concrete subjects to placing subjects and verbs close together, Douglas breaks down how our brains process sentences and how writers can make that process easier. Her advice? Write for your reader’s brain, not just your field.
