I recommend using my “Scientific Storytelling Framework” to achieve a consistent structure in the manuscript. In this case, you might find yourself reiterating arguments on various occasions. You might be wasting words because your paper or grant proposal is lacking structure. Also, look closely at your results: Are there some findings or aspects that don’t quite fit in? Could you move them to the Supporting Information or work them into another paper? Consider whether there is background information in the introduction that is not needed to contextualise your results. When you go through your draft paragraph by paragraph you might find that you are in fact not only telling one but several stories at the same time. I have talked about why it is important to have a single main message in your manuscript and every paragraph previously. If you want to cut your word count, the first thing to examine is whether every paragraph in your manuscript is tied to your one main message. And think of it from the reader’s perspective: Would you rather read an 800-page or a 300-page book that essentially says the same thing?Įxactly… So, here are the seven best strategies to get rid of all lengthy and bloated writing: When we are forced to decrease the word count, our writing becomes more structured and succinct. But there’s another reason for why cutting down is important: Shorter often means better. Sometimes you will have to hit the word limit stated in the guidelines of your target journal. This is the same process I suggest you go through when you write a paper. In subsequent edits, I keep cutting words, sentences and sometimes even paragraphs. I know from my own writing projects that the first draft is usually the longest version. 350 years have gone and the sentence still applies today – even in scientific writing. “The present letter is a very long one, simply because I had no time to make it shorter.” This is a quote from Blaise Pascal, a French philosopher of the 17th century. Your manuscript is longer than it should be? Find out how you can hit the word count and improve your writing at the same time.
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