Writing clear, engaging, and ethically sound non-technical articles—whether for blogs, magazines, policy briefs, or public-facing reports—requires more than just good grammar. It demands respect for intellectual integrity, adherence to disciplinary conventions, and awareness of both formal rules (like style guides) and informal norms (often found by reviewing published work in your field).
A significant part of scholarly and professional writing involves engaging with the work of others. Therefore, it’s essential to understand how to reference, interpret, and respond to prior research accurately and respectfully.
Referring to Other Authors: Best Practices
When discussing the ideas or findings of other writers, follow these key ethical and stylistic guidelines:
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Use last names only when referring to authors in the body of your text. Do not include the titles of their books, articles, or studies—those belong only in the reference list or bibliography.
Example: “Smith (2020) argues that digital literacy is now a workplace necessity.”
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Cite only what you have read directly. If you encountered an idea through a secondary source (e.g., you read Jones, who cited Lee), do not list Lee in your references. Instead, acknowledge the indirect citation in your text:
Example: “Lee’s findings (as cited in Jones, 2022) suggest a correlation between engagement and retention.”
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Never refer to someone else’s work as ‘the current study’ or ‘the present study.’ These phrases should only describe your own research or analysis.
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Disagree respectfully. Even if you strongly question another researcher’s methods or conclusions, maintain a professional and courteous tone. Avoid harsh or dismissive language. Instead, use cautious, constructive phrasing:
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Instead of: “Hassan’s study was poorly designed.”
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Write: “Hassan may not have accounted for regional variability,” or “Subsequent studies have not replicated Hassan’s results.”
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💡 Tip: Review recent articles in reputable journals or publications in your field. Pay attention to how authors cite, paraphrase, and critique others—this reveals the “unwritten rules” of your discipline’s communication culture.
