All academic writing involves claims about and explanations of what a thing is and what it is not, whether it be a specialized term, a concept we need to distinguish from a related concept, or simply a precise object of study. While we might set out with the intention of telling readers what a thing is—making positive claims—it is not uncommon to find ourselves focusing on what a thing is not—making negative claims. On the one hand, negation can add variety to our prose and even allow us to be more precise in our argumentation. On the other hand, over-relying on negation to add clarity to our writing can lead to less clarity. Stylistically, negations can over-complicate our sentences, and focusing on what a thing is not can lead readers to consider all sorts of logical possibilities for what it actually is that don’t necessarily align with the writer’s own interpretation. For example, if we tell readers that something is “not good,” that leaves them to consider a wide range of what it is. . . bad? great? unethical? neutral? In this entry, we offer a strategy to clarify writing that over-relies on negation by rewriting negative claims as positive ones.

Ironically, the best way to define positive claims is through negation. Positive claims speak in a language that does not rely on negation—the opposite of the intended noun or verb—to articulate an idea. Instead, the positive claim asserts through affirmation; you tell the reader what a thing is or does rather than what it is not or does not do. For example, the negative claim “this revision strategy isn’t bad” leaves the reader with a vague sense of the writer’s argument. Alternatively, the positive claim “this revision strategy is useful with respect to its object of study but remains too limited in its scope” leaves the reader with a clearer understanding of what “isn’t bad” about the strategy. Work through the steps below with your own writing to get rid of negative claims where they obscure meaning or introduce vagueness in your ideas.

Disclaimer: Perhaps because the performance of Standard American English is nearly as irregular as the language itself, there are, of course, exceptions to the rule that positive claims are more precise. Negative claims may, at times, be the clearest way to unpack and articulate an idea.

Step 1: Using the “find” feature (CTRL/Command + F), locate and highlight all of the commonly used phrases of negation and their contractions (e.g. no, not, never, neither, nor, none, nobody, don’t, haven’t, won’t, didn’t) as well as key prefixes and suffixes (e.g. non-, un-, ir-, dis-, de-, -n’t) in your current draft.

Step 2: Read each sentence that uses a negative claim as well as the sentence before and after it—the context you offer around the claim matters. Consider what you are trying to argue in this instance and how using a negative claim might impact your reader. If the claim intentionally leaves room for interpretation and you want your reader to participate in meaning making, then great! You’re all set. Move on to the next instance of negation. If not, and there is a lack of clarity and/or specificity, continue to Step 3.

Step 3: Rewrite your negation as a more specific positive claim. If you’re feeling stuck, it might help to do some freewriting to figure out what you are trying to argue in those sentences or to talk through the point with an advisor, peer, or writing consultant. When you feel like you’ve captured your intended argument, replace the negative claim in your draft with the positive one. Then, reread it along with the sentences before and after to ensure everything makes sense. Move on to the next instance of negation and repeat Step 2.

Here are a few examples of negative claims and their translation into positive claims:

Example 1:

1. In our echo-chamber it was not hard to forget about the world.
2. In our echo-chamber it was easy to forget about the world.

Example 2:

1. The mentality was to work hard, keep your head down, and don’t question authority.
2. The mentality was to work hard, keep your head down, and obey authority.

For more on negation, see “What Are You Not (Not) Saying? Defining Your Argument Positively Instead of Negatively.” For revision strategies focused on clarifying your argument, try “Can’t Distill Your Argument? 20 Minute Free Write as a Clarification Tool,” “Completed a Draft But Still Unsure of Your Argument? Try Inventorying,” “What’s My Main Point? Reverse Outlining as a Tool to Clarify Argument,” and “Not Sure If Your Meaning Is Clear? Check Key Term Consistency.”