Every successful CHI author follows these 13 rules of writing.
Most people do not know them.
Here they are for free to help you become a better research writer.
🧵⬇️
Most people do not know them.
Here they are for free to help you become a better research writer.
🧵⬇️
1. Your credibility comes from using specific numbers and explaining things with specific language.
p = 0.003 not p < .05
Add additional materials/appendix with exact numbers or OSF
NOT: The study had various effect.
INSTEAD: Y increased X under Z conditions.
Be specific.
p = 0.003 not p < .05
Add additional materials/appendix with exact numbers or OSF
NOT: The study had various effect.
INSTEAD: Y increased X under Z conditions.
Be specific.
2. All killer, no filler.
Cut out the fat in your writing, delete these filler words:
Basically
Rather
Just
As a matter of fact
At all times
Write like lettuce, not like whip cream.
Cut out the fat in your writing, delete these filler words:
Basically
Rather
Just
As a matter of fact
At all times
Write like lettuce, not like whip cream.
3. Complexity is a crutch.
Always try to explain things in simple terms.
A lot of → Many
In order to → To
Hard to do → Difficult
For the purpose of → To
On an annual basis → Yearly
Be specific—not arrogant—in your writing.
Respect the reader's time.
Always try to explain things in simple terms.
A lot of → Many
In order to → To
Hard to do → Difficult
For the purpose of → To
On an annual basis → Yearly
Be specific—not arrogant—in your writing.
Respect the reader's time.
4. Do not use contractions in academic writing.
Avoid:
Don't → do not
Mustn't → must not
I'dn't've → I didn't have
Y'all'd've'f'Id've → You all would have if I would have
It makes you sound informal and removes the professionalism required in an academic paper.
Avoid:
Don't → do not
Mustn't → must not
I'dn't've → I didn't have
Y'all'd've'f'Id've → You all would have if I would have
It makes you sound informal and removes the professionalism required in an academic paper.
5. Vary your sentence structure.
Most sentences are SUBJECT → PREDICATE → OBJECT.
You were taught to do it that way in school.
It's boring.
It is more interesting to make these elements dance so your writing creates music.
Shake up your sentence length and construction.
Most sentences are SUBJECT → PREDICATE → OBJECT.
You were taught to do it that way in school.
It's boring.
It is more interesting to make these elements dance so your writing creates music.
Shake up your sentence length and construction.
6. Always use storytelling in your writing to make it more engaging.
"... evidence points to the use of ‘creepy’ as a buzzword for the nebulous push-and-pull between consumer-driven convenience and dubious data practices." Seberger (2022)
Illustrate your research with examples.
"... evidence points to the use of ‘creepy’ as a buzzword for the nebulous push-and-pull between consumer-driven convenience and dubious data practices." Seberger (2022)
Illustrate your research with examples.
7. Write parts of your paper EVERY DAY even if no one reads it.
"You look ridiculous if you dance. You look ridiculous if you don’t dance. So you might as well dance." - Gertrude Stein
Pushing content forward will make editing so much easier before the deadline.
"You look ridiculous if you dance. You look ridiculous if you don’t dance. So you might as well dance." - Gertrude Stein
Pushing content forward will make editing so much easier before the deadline.
8. The first sentence of every paper should be short and compelling.
A hook, an opener, a worldview.
"From squeezing pliers to holding a key: the human hand has evolved a considerable dexterity for powerful and precise grips" Schmitz (2022)
Think of it as a wide panorama shot.
A hook, an opener, a worldview.
"From squeezing pliers to holding a key: the human hand has evolved a considerable dexterity for powerful and precise grips" Schmitz (2022)
Think of it as a wide panorama shot.
9. Adverbs are asinine.
The effects were really interesting. → The effects were profound.
The participant walked quickly forward. → They sprinted ahead.
They were speaking loudly. → They were yelling.
Use the proper verbs instead.
Don't rely on crutches to communicate.
The effects were really interesting. → The effects were profound.
The participant walked quickly forward. → They sprinted ahead.
They were speaking loudly. → They were yelling.
Use the proper verbs instead.
Don't rely on crutches to communicate.
10. Avoid hyperboles and false interpretations.
The results were encroaching significance. → The results were not significant.
This finding has a massive impact on research. → This finding has an impact on research because ... [X]
Don't make or blow shit up.
The results were encroaching significance. → The results were not significant.
This finding has a massive impact on research. → This finding has an impact on research because ... [X]
Don't make or blow shit up.
11. Always read your writing out loud when editing.
Alternatively, get the built-in screen reader of your PDF software to do it for you.
It will make you catch awkward phrases and parts that make no sense twice as fast.
Alternatively, get the built-in screen reader of your PDF software to do it for you.
It will make you catch awkward phrases and parts that make no sense twice as fast.
12. Use the best voice for your reporting (predominantly active voice)
Active voice energizes your writing and helps you quickly make your point.
It's ok to say "we did" in research papers.
Only if you describe an inactive object is passive ok.
Don't be a passifier. 😆
Active voice energizes your writing and helps you quickly make your point.
It's ok to say "we did" in research papers.
Only if you describe an inactive object is passive ok.
Don't be a passifier. 😆
13. Convert nouns to verbs.
We collaborated on the creation process of new guidelines. → We created new guidelines together.
(BTW, 9 out of 10 times, you can delete the word "process" from your writing, too).
It's like defrosting a smoothie. Liquid and delicious.
We collaborated on the creation process of new guidelines. → We created new guidelines together.
(BTW, 9 out of 10 times, you can delete the word "process" from your writing, too).
It's like defrosting a smoothie. Liquid and delicious.
Keep in mind:
If you follow these rules, you'll cut your editing time in half.
And who doesn't need a little more time when the #chi2023 deadline inches closer?
If you follow these rules, you'll cut your editing time in half.
And who doesn't need a little more time when the #chi2023 deadline inches closer?
1. Credibility in specificity
2. No fillers
3. Keep it simple
4. No contractions
5. Vary sentence structure/length
6. Use storytelling/examples
7. Write every day
8. Short start sentence
9. Remove adverbs
10. Avoid hyperbole
11. Edit out loud
12. Active voice
13. Nouns to verbs
2. No fillers
3. Keep it simple
4. No contractions
5. Vary sentence structure/length
6. Use storytelling/examples
7. Write every day
8. Short start sentence
9. Remove adverbs
10. Avoid hyperbole
11. Edit out loud
12. Active voice
13. Nouns to verbs
Did you get value from this thread?
Give the 1st tweet a retweet to help other CHI authors.
If you love reading about writing, UX, and games research. Follow me @acagamic.
Give the 1st tweet a retweet to help other CHI authors.
If you love reading about writing, UX, and games research. Follow me @acagamic.
When you're ready for it, there are two ways I can help you:
1. My newsletters inform you about UX, design, research, and writing. acagamic.com/newsletter
2. My writing course teaches you how to write research papers for CHI and other academic venues: acagamic.com/writingcourse
1. My newsletters inform you about UX, design, research, and writing. acagamic.com/newsletter
2. My writing course teaches you how to write research papers for CHI and other academic venues: acagamic.com/writingcourse
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