Writing for nursing research, an essay on style: Continuities

In my previous article,1 I illustrated a model of writing sentences drawn from Joseph Williams'2 discussion style, which suggested might be useful in teaching and evaluating for nursing research. The describes the successive iteration given (familiar) new information within sentence to sentence, supporting an implicit contract between writer reader.3 given–new structure, each begins with context that author reader share, concludes information, also suggests how next will begin. As result, reader's experience is never interrupted, so consecutive “flow.” Williams recommends, “generally, use beginning your refer what you have already mentioned or knowledge can assume readily share.”2, p. 64 This points toward at sentence's end. You could define this movement as patterned sequence, A–B, B–C, C–D, forth, where pair letters represents letter after first then familiar. We put more generally: formal academic writing, we write linearly, such should prepare next, resulting continuous, logical development. one way achieve coherence are saying satisfy our readers' expectations. Worldwide 2014, estimated 422 million people had diabetes, prevalence 8.5% among adults. Eastern Mediterranean, was highest, 13.7%; Africa, it lowest, 7.1%. From 1980 all regions, diabetes increased; country country, increased best remained same. example shared (the world 2014), followed by information: number those But does not start adult prevalence. Instead repeats pattern specifically. two statements, replaced geographical regions Mediterranean their respective prevalences follow. second thus reiterates first, moving twice familiar but giving greater specificity detail both new. third pattern, period 2014 instead just concluding increase regions; that, narrows focus once countries rather than adds about countries. Thus shared, subsequent naming subset information. Applying A–B formula, describe A–B. A1–B1; A2–B2. A3–B3; A4–B4. example, structure developed through stylistic parallelism. Prostate cancer most commonly diagnosed U.S. men leading cause death. It has been 2018, approximately 165,000 prostate 29,000 die cancer. incidence 74% African American white relatively versus without family history cancer.5 Here, authors go straight point; they peers, cancer, disease, start. cancer's prevalence, presented ways numbers: frequency diagnosis reexamines providing parallel: estimates diagnoses deaths year. Estimation echoes preceding frequency, together year 2018 constitutes numbers now become stated parallel general statements death opening sentence. takes up incidence, time disease. follows model, adding specificity, three style. past decades seen extraordinary advances understanding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). global scale-up access antiretroviral therapy (ART) living HIV perhaps greatest these advances. end 2017, 20 world's 37 were taking ART, often form single pill day. Despite major public health achievement, almost 2 infections continue occur year, leaving many countries, primarily sub-Saharan daunting epidemic.6 Perhaps HIV. Now familiar, comes (A; decades); (B; advances); advances), recalls (C; scale-up). These fit iterative model. (HIV), epidemic. (ART). Nevertheless [However, Yet], despite By connecting word right implication final enable expect contrast continues recognize provide very surprising it. yet another tool mechanics What, then, purpose sentences? Presumably, writers intuitively. Can used consciously tactic while write? not. Yet written few sentences, paragraph, longer document, diagnose work. If when read, present sequential, continuous development according better support unfolding topic thoughts. They fulfill your—the author's—contract reader. Nor approach entirely novel unfamiliar: Every research article, structured Background, Methods, Results, Discussion, presents sequence sections like proceed point next. Background establishes context. Methods addresses Results outcomes Discussion evaluates results recommendations future scientific conversation continues, article section section, study study, project project, looking forward back. John E​ric Bellquist, PhD, serves editor lecturer University Texas Austin School Nursing. Formerly managing journals Psychonomic Society, he authored books well. contact [email protected].