LEARN HOW TO WRITE CLEARLY. Some graduate programs do their best to stamp out this skill, persuading doctoral candidates that a ten-syllable word is better than a two-syllable word. Reviewers are more likely to persevere to the end of your journal submission or your grant proposal if they can easily follow what you say. They are also more likely to give you a favorable review.
Boris P. said on March 26, 2012
Such a brilliant point!
I think it carries applicability at all stages of one’s academic career.
[Similar point is brought up by Becker in ‘Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article ‘]