Writing with clarity and precision for other researchers and scholars is challenging for all of us, but especially those who are new to a field, those who may be jumping into inter- or transdisciplinary projects, or those who may be learning to translate their knowledge into English.
Developing a specialized disciplinary vocabulary is essential to our capacity to “wield the field” (ability to communicate the breadth and depth of ideas in your discipline) and for our writing to have impact.
For both early-career and established researchers alike, wielding the field requires strategies (plans for action) and deliberate practice (focused and routine attention to skill improvement). Here some well-known, but easily overlooked, practices:
Make time for reading. Extensive reading across academic and non-academic texts will expose you to the varied contexts and usages for specialized (and even non-specialized) terms. If you are having a hard time writing or communicating your own ideas, check and see if it is related to your need to know or understand more. Spending time reading (daily if you can) will steep you in your field and help you think and make connections more clearly.
Keep a reading journal to track findings, important ideas, and the new words (with definitions). This simple practice of tracking will help you turn the unfamiliar into the familiar, make sense of previously opaque concepts, and appreciate the depth and breadth of thinking in your field.
Read a lot before integrating GenAI programs into your writing process, and when you do, take care to understand and approve all AI-suggested language. Most simply, responsible AI use requires that you be the knowledgeable “human in the loop.” As a researcher or scholar, most of your knowledge will come from your reading.
Define key and specialized terms. When you write, help your readers by defining how you are using key or linchpin terms (essential to your approach or argument) and any technical terms that may have multiple meanings, depending on the context. Specialized language, sometimes referred to as “jargon,” has developed a “bad rap” (a bad reputation) over the years for its overuse and its propensity to be conflated with how academics “should” write. Jargon-heavy scholarship reads as dense, dull, and tedious, turning away all but the most determined readers. Understandably, not the best way to make your work accessible, impactful, citable, or fundable.
And yet, specialized language (in other contexts “jargon”) is essential for expressing complex ideas. To write clearly while using specialized language, quickly contextualize or defining your terms. You will help your readers build their vocabulary and appreciate the value of your research. A simple practice to increase your impact!
Take extra care with polysemous words* since these can easily confuse readers new to a discipline. A polysemous word carries multiple, related meanings that can generally be understood from the context but may cause challenges if writing on interdisciplinary projects.
For example, theory can mean a guess (everyday usage), a substantiated explanation based on evidence (science), a branch of study (mathematics), a framework for interpretation (literary studies), a system of ideas to explain reasoning (philosophy), a conceptual model of behavior (sociology), a pedagogical framework (education), and more. Often a quick cue or reference will signal readers to how you are using a word that carries multiple meanings.
- Trivia for the curious: At over 430 entries, the English word set holds the record for the highest number of distinct definitions in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Ultimately, improving your vocabulary for writing is a gradual process that demands consistent reading, recording, and application across your career. Integrating these practices your daily routines will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing, boost your confidence, and strengthen your ability to wield your field.
Wield away!
*Note: Polysemous words (multiple meanings depending on the context) are not homonyms (different words with different meanings but with same pronunciation, e.g., hoarse and horse or knew and new).