Uneven U: The hidden structure behind powerful academic paragraphs

Transform your writing with this 5-level sentence technique

Before we start: Archived old newsletter posts are always available for paid Substack members.

Are you struggling to give your academic writing that professional polish? Do your paragraphs feel disjointed or lack impact? Enter Eric Hayot’s Uneven U—a solid approach to sentence structure that can transform your writing from amateur to authoritative. His Uneven U technique isn’t just for the humanities crowd—it’s your ace in the hole to hook readers and keep ’em hanging on every word. Picture this: you start with sweeping, big-picture ideas, then zoom in with surgical strike specifics, only to pull back and hit ’em with a broader perspective once more. It’s like a rollercoaster for the brain, and trust me, it’s a wild ride that guarantees your paragraphs will flow smoother than a buttered-up Zamboni. So, if you want to write stuff people actually want to read, jump on board the Uneven U train.

Slides from Dallin Lewis’s video about the Uneven U.