What academic figures say about writing

A collection of insights/tips/rules of thumbs on academic writing (that resonates with me).

“on writing.” by Yale Patt

Yale Patt, a renowned professor on computer architecuture said: “What a man (today we would say man or woman) knows or what a man thinks is lost if he can not express it through oratory or writing.”

My summary:

• Focus on the reader: You’re writing for others to understand, not for yourself.
• Use clear, simple language:
  • Prefer short sentences over long ones
  • Use active voice instead of passive voice
  • Choose simple words over complex/fancy ones “delicatessen” is the only 5-syllable word used by Yale.
  • It is not necessary to stick “ize” at the end of any random noun and invent a new one.
  • It is okay to use the same word again in the same paragraph if none of threasures mean exactly what you want to say.
  • It is not okay to make spelling mistakes.
• Break unnecessary rules when needed:
  • Some traditional grammar guides say you shouldn’t end a sentence with a preposition (like with, at, to, of, etc.).
  • Churchill’s example: “That kind of nonsense up with which I refuse to put” (put up with is more natural but breaks the rule)
  • It’s better to end a sentence with a preposition than create awkward constructions

Yale Patt’s lecture “Stew” (2017) talks more about this.

“Storytelling 101: Writing Tips for Academics” by Nick Feamster and Alex Gray

ChatGPT summary:

• Focus on the story: Academic writing should tell a clear and compelling story—your research is the plot.
• Clarity over complexity: Avoid jargon and write as if you’re explaining your work to an intelligent but unfamiliar reader.
• Structure matters: Start with a high-level view, then dive into details. Think of each section as a scene in the story.
• Writing is part of the research: Writing helps clarify your own thinking; don’t wait until the end of a project to start.
• Good writing enhances impact: A well-structured, clearly written paper with a decent idea is more likely to be accepted than a confusing paper with a brilliant idea.

“How (and How Not) to Write a Good Systems Paper” by Roy Levin and David D. Redell

ChatGPT summary:

• Make your contribution clear: Spell out what’s new and important. Don’t expect readers to infer it.
• Know the literature: Show that you’re aware of related work and explain how yours is different or better.
• Avoid hype: Let the significance of your work speak for itself—don’t oversell.
• Be honest about limitations: Reviewers appreciate when authors acknowledge what their system can’t do.
• Clarity reflects thinking: Confusing writing often signals unclear ideas. Clear writing = clear thinking.