How to Write like an Economist

Thomson (2011) shares his advice on how to write like an economist:

• General principles are conciseness and clarity.
• Explain how you discovered your research questions.
• Mention your errors.
• Describe why your research is important and how it differs from other literature.
• Narrate a story. Do not list.

You can find more details and helpful advice in his book A guide for the young economist.

Also, USC and Duke provide excellent guides on how to write economics papers:

• USC Research Guide
• Duke Writing Studio.
• Be supported by our own Wooster Writing Center.

According to #EconTwitter, the following books and articles will guide you on how to write like an economist!

Hey @econtwitter , I’m looking for a book on how to write econ papers (especially theory papers) at an appropriate level for early-stage PhD students.

I remember encountering a good one, but can’t recall the title. Might you have seen it?

— Shengwu Li (@ShengwuLi) December 15, 2022

The link to amazon or the library is embedded in each image.

Shengwu Li, “Twitter / @ShengwuLi: Hey @econtwitter, I’m looking for a book…”, December 15, 2022, 3:15 p.m., https://twitter.com/shengwuli/status/1603483887480496129?s=12&t=sBREwkshL1R0O9_kZsmBRQ.
Thomson, William. A guide for the young economist. MIT press, 2001.