{"id":69557,"date":"2019-03-15T16:00:58","date_gmt":"2019-03-15T15:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.nl\/?p=69557"},"modified":"2023-07-23T15:13:08","modified_gmt":"2023-07-23T13:13:08","slug":"repetition-redundancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.com\/academic-writing\/repetition-redundancy\/","title":{"rendered":"How to avoid repetition and redundancy"},"content":{"rendered":"
Repetition and redundancy can cause problems at the level of either the entire paper or individual sentences. However, repetition is not always a problem as, when used properly, it can help your reader follow along. This article shows how to streamline your writing.<\/p>\n
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On the most basic level, avoid copy-and-pasting entire sentences or paragraphs into multiple sections of the paper. Readers generally don\u2019t enjoy repetition of this type.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to strike an appropriate balance between restating main ideas to help readers follow along and avoiding unnecessary repetition that might distract or bore readers.<\/p>\n
For example, if you\u2019ve already covered your methods in a dedicated methodology chapter<\/a>, you likely won\u2019t need to summarize them a second time in the results chapter<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re concerned about readers needing additional reminders, you can add short asides pointing readers to the relevant section of the paper (e.g. \u201cFor more details, see Chapter 4\u201d).<\/p>\n It\u2019s important for each section to have its own heading so that readers skimming the text can easily identify what information it contains. If you have two conclusion sections, try making the heading more descriptive<\/a> \u2013 for instance, \u201cConclusion of X.\u201d<\/p>\n Try to avoid providing redundant information. Every section, example and argument should serve the main goal of your paper and should relate to your thesis statement<\/a> or research question<\/a>.<\/p>\n If the link between a particular piece of information and your broader purpose is unclear, then you should more explicitly draw the connection or otherwise remove that information from your paper.<\/p>\n Keep an eye out for lengthy introductory clauses that restate the main point of the previous sentence. This sort of sentence structure can bury the new point you\u2019re trying to make. Try to keep introductory clauses relatively short so that readers are still focused by the time they encounter the main point of the sentence.<\/p>\n In addition to paying attention to these introductory clauses, you might want to read your paper aloud to catch excessive repetition. Below we listed some tips for avoiding the most common forms of repetition.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to stress that repetition isn\u2019t always problematic. Repetition can help your readers follow along. However, before adding repetitive elements to your paper, be sure to ask yourself if they are truly necessary.<\/p>\n Repeating key points from time to time can help readers follow along, especially in papers that address highly complex subjects. Here are some good examples of when repetition is not a problem:<\/p>\n Restating the research question in the conclusion Referring to your key variables or themes When used sparingly, repetitive sentence and paragraph structures can add rhetorical flourish and help to underline your main points. Here are a few famous examples:<\/p>\n \u201cAsk<\/em> not what your country can do for you \u2013 ask<\/em> what you can do for your country\u201d \u2013 John F. Kennedy, inaugural address<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026and that government of the people<\/em>, by the people<\/em>, for the people shall not perish from the earth.\u201d \u2013 Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address<\/p>\n If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!<\/p>\n <\/em>Fallacies<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/em>\u00a0AI<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/em>\u00a0(AI) Tools<\/strong><\/p>\n Repetition and redundancy can cause problems at the level of either the entire paper or individual sentences. However, repetition is not always a problem as, when used properly, it can help your reader follow along. This article shows how to streamline your writing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":""},"categories":[87],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"Don\u2019t use the same heading more than once<\/h3>\n
Are all sections relevant to the main goal of the paper?<\/h3>\n
Avoiding repetition at the sentence level<\/h2>\n
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When is repetition not a problem?<\/h2>\n
Restating key points<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>This will remind readers of exactly what your paper set out to accomplish and help to demonstrate that you\u2019ve indeed achieved your goal.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Rather than use varied language to refer to these key elements of the paper, it\u2019s best to use a standard set of terminology throughout the paper, as this can help your readers follow along.<\/p>\nUnderlining main points<\/h3>\n
Other interesting articles<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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