Writing Style in LIS

Overview

At the sentence level, every discipline has different expectations in regard to what constitutes "good writing." Some fields, for instance, encourage use of the first-person "I" voice while other fields require that you avoid it entirely. Some disciplines encourage use of the passive voice while others strongly prefer the active voice in almost all situations.

This page addresses sentence-level conventions that are common when writing at the graduate level in the field of Library and Information Science.

Sentence-Level Writing Conventions

1. Do not use the passive voice.

The active voice, in which you have the actor/character of the sentence directly performing the action of the verb is preferable in the LIS field. Consider the example below.

• Passive Sentence: The new service was created by the librarian.

• Active Sentence: The librarian created the new service.
  

The second option above--written in the active voice--is preferred. Refer to the SJSU Writing Center handout on passive voice for more information.

2. Define library jargon and acronyms clearly for readers.

Expertise within a field of study often involves the use of acronyms and discipline-specific jargon. When writing in the LIS field, be sure to define both jargon and acronyms clearly for your readers. Do not assume that they already know the information. Consider the examples below.

Sample sentence #1 with jargon and acronyms:

• The database uses controlled vocabulary and is available via our library OPAC.

Sample sentence #1 revised for clarity:

• The database uses controlled vocabulary, a list of standardized terms used for searching that specific database. It is available through the library’s online public access catalog (or more simply “online catalog").

Sample sentence #2 with jargon and acronyms:

• ALA will be hosting a roundtable on BISAC at the PLA conference.

Sample sentence #2 revised for clarity:

• The American Library Association will be hosting a round table on the Book Industry Standards and Communications (BISAC) system at the Public Library Association conference.
  

Please refer to the following website for more details about common acronyms in LIS: https://www.ala.org/tools/topics/acronyms

3. Be aware of formal writing conventions.

Whether or not to use the standard conventions of formal writing depends upon the genre of your writing. LIS blogging, for instance, will use a fairly informal, conversational writing style. However, academic writing is more formal. Write out contractions (didn't = did not), avoid slang, avoid overusing jargon, and do not use a tone that's too conversational.

4. Avoid value judgements (e.g., "This is a great article...").

Your judgment regarding whether or not you personally like something is irrelevant. Instead of saying that something is "great" or "good"--which only expresses your individual opinion--you might say, "This article is useful for understanding..." or "The article provides key insights from the study regarding..."

5. Avoid qualifiers (e.g., very, quite, pretty, somewhat, etc.).

Qualifiers are often unnecessary in your writing. Why use two words to express something when one (stronger) word will do the job? For example, it'd be preferable to say "exhausted" instead of "very tired." Make sure your words have impact!

6. Avoid "talks" as a reporting verb when discussing an article/study.

If you are writing about an article, book, study, etc, use phrases such as “Dervin argues that….” or “In the article, Bates writes that information seeking…”or “Kuhlthau finds…” instead of using the verb “talks” (as in “In the article, Stephens talks about a professional development program…”). Other reporting verbs to use could be claims, contends, concurs, examines, observes, agrees, concludes, or illustrates. Scholars argue, write, find, discuss, note, etc. in their studies and monographs--they don't simply talk.

7. Use bias-free language.

Stay updated about language guidelines on topics like age, race, disability, gender, identity, and orientation. Be sensitive and reduce bias in the language that you use in your writing. The 7th Edition of the APA manual has also updated their principles regarding bias-free language guidelines. (See chapter three in the manual or this handout about biased language from the SJSU Writing Center.)