A Note on Writing Style: Ways to Make it Easier for People to Believe You

1. Assume your reader is very skeptical and scientific. Assume the reader wants concrete proof and logic according to the best scientific standards, best critical theory, and best logic. Assume the reader does not believe in aliens, UFOs, ghosts, demonic possession, saints, miracles, faith healing, magic, elves, fairies, Atlantis, the Bermuda triangle, Roswell, vampires, yetis, and other fantastical events or beings that have questionable or no scientific evidence of their existence or occurrence. Assume the reader does believe in the Holocaust, evolution, and the moon landing, and other major theories and world events that have a great deal of scientific evidence supporting them.

2. Try to write as if your reader believes in religious pluralism (all religions are good and of equal value) or atheism (there is no god). Any writing that assumes one religion is the true, correct religion could be offensive to someone or seem illogical in the sense of being based on a faith that the reader doesn't share.

3. Many people hate being told what they think, feel, or are like. So, it is best to avoid saying "we," "everybody," "nobody," etc. Since readers can be of all races, all genders, all sexual orientations, all religions, and all political parties, you want to write so you can appeal to all of these various and different kinds of people. People typically do not want to feel they are not the intended audience. For example if they are Asian and feel, "This paper is written only for whites," or they are female and feel, "This paper is written only for men," they will likely not want to believe the paper or even read it.

4. Using words like "clearly," "obviously," or "of course" can make readers feel that they are stupid if they don't see your point or agree with it. If they do think the point is clear, obvious, etc., they may feel annoyed at you telling them something so meaningless or basic.

5. Many readers get bored and start to resent reading wordy phrases, needless plot summary, and needless repetition.

6. Most readers want to understand your paper without a lot of hard work. Grammar and clarity problems, bizarre or unclear metaphors, and even questions may make the reader feel like they are "working overtime" or being forced to compensate for the writer's weaknesses or laziness. Readers are usually more comfortable when they are not asked questions or told things in indirect, circular ways. Putting topic sentences at the start of paragraphs is a good way to be clear and direct.

7. A lot of readers dislike emotional manipulation. Few people enjoy being told they are evil, morally deficient, or that they "must" do or think something (if they aren't idiots or immoral people).

8. Most people want to go with the simplest, most obvious reading of a text. If a text can be read literally, you need to confront the literal meaning before you jump into symbolic theories or interpretations. What's on the paper, literally, has more credibility than what must be inferred. It is important to distinguish between what's stated and what's implied.