DR FRANK JACKSON, 59A, PRINCES ROAD, BRIGHTON, EAST SUSSEX BN2 3RH

THESE ARE SOME BRIEF NOTES ON THE USE OF ENGLISH,

COMPILED FROM SOME OF THE WORK I HAVE LOOKED AT.

YOU CAN SIMPLY PUT THESE BY YOUR KEYBOARD  TO REMIND YOU OF SOME BASIC THINGS.

• You should avoid using similar words in a sentence e.g.  ‘ This focussing on the image  provides a focus for…..’ Try to think of different words to convey your meaning and interpretation.

• Think about singular and plural in your choice of words – e.g. a thing, these things.

• This also involves the use of definite and indefinite articles in referring to nouns. e.g. the stuffs should be these stuffs: similarly  a birds should be the birds.
• Also one should be careful about how to use past and present tenses – a useful rule is to think when an event or happening took place, or where it is contemporary and use the words – was (past)  is (present0  and were (recent).
• The use of capitals (upper and lower case) This is more problematic, but a general rule is that the upper case is appropriate in titles and sub-headings, but not in general content and sentences, except where one is referring to specific names or , for example buildings – the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill.
• Sentences always have to have a verb to enable them to function – e.g. people came to exhibitions….
• There are several other points that may be useful.  One is that the use of overlong sentences should be avoided if possible. A sentence that extends over eight lines of text can be too dense for the reader to follow, and breaks the rhythm and continuity of the narrative. It is important to be aware of how a reader will follow the flow of what is being said, and how they will take in the meanings and ideas of what is being developed.
• Some writers have a tendency to over-use sub-headings and sections. Often it is better to maintain a continuous flow of ideas, where the reader can move readily from one concept to another, rather than the staccato effect of sub-headings often containing sometimes only one sentence, which is rather like being assailed by written machine-gun fire!
• The usage of appropriate words is also important. When translating from one language into another, it is easy to miss the initial meaning of what one wishes to express. If in doubt, consult the Oxford English Dictionary  (appropriate capitals)  to find a word. It is also too easy to try to condense several meanings into one word. It is better to develop a clear and specific style of writing than to assume that the reader will know what you mean.
• When editing your written component, it would be useful to index or code quotations or specific comments in a way that allows you to place them in a structured way. Some may use colour – coding , or individual files, but it is important to keep a mental grasp on your material. It is also useful to maintain an adherence to the conventions of  writing within a thesis, and to develop a consistency of style appropriate to the work that you do.