WRITING ACCURATELY

One way to effective writing is writing accurately. This makes your writing not only factually and grammatically correct but also ensures that readers can easily understand your ideas.

Try these simple guidelines for accurate writing:

1. Use quantification

While writing, provide measurements and numbers instead of ambiguous words to improve the accuracy of the paper.

Consider the following examples –

Vague: The government had implemented this policy a few years ago.

Revised: The government had implemented this policy in 2009.

Vague: This year, many students attended the science seminar.

Revised: This year, 200 students attended the science seminar.

2. Avoid common words

Use words with the intended meanings in your writing.

Consider the following examples of the commonly used word “over”–

During: The new session would begin over the summer.

Onto: He cautiously sprinkled water over the newly-planted saplings.

More than: The village owned over 10000 acres of forest land.

From: We collected the samples over three districts.

To: We applied two types of sampling over the data.

Across: They collected data over different ethnic groups.

Through: Always go over the examples given in the book.

With: People and relationships change over time.

Consider some examples of the word “wrong” –

 

Vague: The Director’s decision was wrong.

Revised: The Director’s decision was financially costly for the Institute.

Vague: This measurement is wrong.

Revised: This measurement is incorrect.

 

Vague: Plagiarism is wrong.

Revised: Plagiarism is unethical.

Vague: She was wearing the wrong clothes.

Revised: She was dressed inappropriately.

Some other examples –

Vague: The football team consists of good players.

Revised: The football team consists of experienced players.

Vague: The management took a terrible decision.

Revised: The management took an irresponsible decision.

3. Use specific words

Using specific words instead of phrases helps to sharpen your writing. However, be careful not to categorize or label your readers. Discretion is advised.

Examples:

Vague: Creative advertising helps in increasing the number of people who buy the products.

Revised: Creative advertising helps in increasing the number of customers.

Vague: The government should take strict actions against those who terrorize and kill people.

Revised: The government should take strict actions against the terrorists.