Major writing errors – and how to deal with them

The following points do not guarantee a high grade, but they are absolutely necessary if
you hope to achieve a satisfactory or high grade.

1. Poor grammar, bad spelling, sloppy style

Effect:
Poor grammar, bad spelling and sloppy style typically annoy readers and lead them to
believe that other aspects of the paper, such as data collection, are of the same poor
quality.

Remedies:
 Always use spell check
 Read and reread your papers before you hand them in
 Write formally – be consistent in your style

2. Incoherent structure, jumping topics

Effect:
Incoherent structure and presentation of arguments make it difficult for readers to
understand the point you are trying to make, what your central arguments are. Even after
(re)reading the text, the concepts may remain vague and difficult to summarize.

Remedies:
 Check the logic of the arguments in the text – what do you want to say?
 Introduce and summarize long texts – draw conclusions at the end of a chapter
 Make sure that paragraphs, sections and chapters are well-connected and have
a story to tell
 Use informative section titles – do not slice the text up into too many
subsections.

3. Unattractive, confusing layout

Effect:
Poor layout choices can be quite distracting to a reader. It is one example where form can
overshadow substance.

Remedies
 Use bold, underlining, italics sparingly
 Include page numbers, use font 12 point, and interline 1.5. Consider justifying
text.
 Avoid too much or too little white space between text.

4. Not quoting sources, lack of references

 Remedies:
 Include a complete and consistent list of references – apply an accepted
method of referencing (e.g., AMJ)
 Use references in the text to account for your claims and/or to support your
statements.
 Explain your methodology – how did you tackle the research question? What
sources have been used?

5. Copying and pasting from (corporate) websites

Remedies:
 Keep a professional distance in your style of writing – do not accept that all
internet sources are reliable – be way of promotional texts on commercial
websites
 Illustrative text should be quoted and referenced – failure to do so amounts to
plagiarism.

6. Tables and figures

Remedies
 Number your figures and tables; give them titles that clarify; state sources and
years
 Refer to figures and tables in the text
 Include aggregate data in the text; include raw data and more detailed
information in the appendices

7. Jumping to conclusions, speculate or interpret without presenting arguments

Remedies:
 Describe first – present the evidence – draw conclusions – interpret
 Give accurate and detailed information
 Present arguments that are logical, valid or plausible
 Think of alternative explanations of your phenomena

Always keep in mind:

Writing is a craft and takes time to learn. Writing nearly always means rewriting to
improve the text. Ultimately, if you do not spend effort and time on your paper, why
should the reader put effort into reading it?