What are the tricks to avoid repetition in writing?

Question

After some time of working on my research, I usually have a structured information of my results, which I can best describe in bullets/numbers. Unfortunately, this is not what academia expects. For example, I concluded my paper introduction with this paragraph:

We start by discussing the most relevant research papers. Then we discuss the composition rules we have selected and how to evaluate them. Then we discuss the optimisation method we use and camera search spaces. Finally, we discuss an example of rendering a well known film in our system and discuss the results.

If you carefully read my concluding paragraph, you will notice that it mentions six parts (research papers, composition rules, how to evaluate them, optimisation method, camera search spaces, an example). I found it hard to combine all these information (which is not uncommon in papers' introductions) in one paragraph, and I ended up repeating "then" twice, which reads very boring - at least for me.

What are the methods to avoid repetitions in general? What about my specific example?

Answer 1

From Strunk & White's Elements of Style:

Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form.

This principle, that of parallel construction, requires that expressions of similar content and function should be outwardly similar. The likeness of form enables the reader to recognize more readily the likeness of content and function. Familiar instances from the Bible are the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the petitions of the Lord's Prayer.

Do not think that varying simple expressions makes a better writer. It can and will distract the reader. In your case, I would suggest making the list even more uniform:

We first discuss the most relevant research papers. We next discuss our selected composition rules and how to evaluation them. We then discuss our optimisation method and camera search spaces. We finally discuss the results of rendering a well-known film in our system.

Note the repetition:

1. We first discuss...
2. We next discuss...
3. We then discuss...
4. We finally discuss...

These phrases become almost transparent for the reader, putting the focus on what's being discussed.

Answer 2

I find the repetitive use of the same verb in a paragraph to be jarring.

Some of the responses seem to suggest that to say anything other than discuss might confuse the audience into thinking that some topics will be discussed while others are simply mentioned.

My take on this paragraph would be to establish the discussion at the beginning, and then use terms of direction to show how the discussion will progress through each topic.

We will begin our discussion with the most relevant research papers. We then turn to our selected composition rules and how to evaluate them. Continuing forward is our optimization method and camera search spaces. We conclude with the results of rendering a well-known film into our system.

This is perhaps an extreme example, it would probably be okay to mention 'discuss' in the third or fourth sentence as a way to remind the audience that this is a continual discussion of all topics listed.

Answer 3

The problem I have with the OP's example is that each point/bullet gets its own same-structured sentence. It's this repetitious structure that's to blame.

So why not just make it one sentence?

We'll discuss the most relevant research papers, the composition rules and our criteria for selecting them, our optimization method and camera search spaces, and finally, we'll provide an example using our system and consider the results.

This establishes the road map and it's less wordy.

Answer 4

After introducing the most relevant research papers we will look at the composition rules we have selected and how to evaluate them. Then we discuss the optimisation method we use and camera search spaces. Finally, we demonstrate the rendering of a well known film in our system by an example and discuss the results.

Synonyms are your friend. Not only "then" is your problem, you "discuss" a lot of things.

Answer 5

One way to reduce the "discuss" duplication is to ask yourself: What are we trying to accomplish by discussing this? What effect are we trying to have on the reader?

Then, rather than looking for synonyms, look for words that more precisely express what you're trying to do.

Why discuss the optimization method? So that people understand it. You're explaining. So say "explain."

Why discuss an example of rendering a film? So that people can see how the optimization works in practice. You're demonstrating. So say "demonstrate."

I'm not as sure about your reasons for discussing other things. Why discuss other research papers? Why discuss composition rules? Why discuss the results of rendering the well known film?

But if you clarify what effect you are trying to create in the reader, you can likely find words that are more precise and energetic, while still fitting the tone of a scholarly paper.

Answer 6

Here is my rewording:

We start by discussing the most relevant research papers. Then, we talk about the composition rules we have selected and how to evaluate them. Next, we consider the optimization method we use and camera search spaces. Finally, we review an example of rendering a well known film in our system and talk about the results.

You wanted a trick, well here's mine:

I use Microsoft Word as my editor. When I right click on a word, such as 'discuss', I can choose synonyms from a popup list. Sometimes it is necessary to do this several times to find a good word.

Answer 7

It's useful to write as if speaking, then restructure for formality. That will give you the necessary verbosity.

In your particular case, it seems thinking about the points you want to make as different things makes you try to express them as individual sentences; if you mention a link between them or make a link clear, it helps.

Last, but not least, you can use different expressions with the same meaning.

You could have written, instead:

"We start by discussing the most relevant research papers, afterward discussing the composition rules we have selected and how to evaluate them. Once that's done, we discuss the optimization method we use and camera search spaces. Finally, we discuss an example of rendering a well known film in our system and discuss the results."

Answer 8

Here is my transformation:

We start by discussing the most relevant research papers. Then we talk the composition rules we have selected and how to evaluate them. Then we present the optimisation method we use and camera search spaces. Finally, we discuss an example of rendering a well-known film in our system and discuss the results.

The application Grammarly is my helper. It finds even the most profound mistakes in your writings - such as "Incorrect adverb placement", "Unusual word pair", "Sentence fragment" and much more. You can also get a list of synonyms for any word by double-clicking it. If you have the browser extension installed, you will be able to use its real-time error detection on any website. Besides, by double-clicking on any word on any site a pop-up with the word's possible definitions will appear.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated in any way with the company.

How to avoid repetitions?

Tips and advise

1. Make a list of the words you're concerned about. After you finish the first draft, search for each word. Make a conscious decision what to do about it (delete the word, leave the sentence alone, rewrite the sentence to make the word unnecessary). Make notes about how you decide which to retain, which to remove, and which to revise.

2. On the other hand, you can replace overused words and phrases with synonyms or equivalents. However, always be confident that you use words and phrases you know yourself - if you are finding synonyms on the internet, then make sure to use the ones you already know. Readers may decide you are not the original author if you don't follow your usual style of writing.

3. Five of the most frequently overused words I see when editing manuscripts are: so, still, though, very, and well. If you find yourself using these words more than once per page, search for them and ask: Do I really need this word here, or is it just taking space? If the answer is space - erase.

4. Use linking words, such as "additionally", "in addition", "furthermore", "moreover" and etc. Those will help you link your sentences one to each other and form a strong "chain" - a good text.