The Sense of Style

Metadiscourse is writing about writing. These passages can function as a longer kind of table of contents, telling the reader what the author will discuss in the text. Steven Pinker warns that metadiscourse is often meaningless and unnecessary for readers, arguing that writers should avoid writing metadiscourse when possible.

Signposting is one kind of metadiscourse in which a writer or speaker signals to their reader or listener what they are going to read or hear about before they do so. Signposting works well in speeches, since speakers need to remind their listeners of what they have said, but in writing signposting is often redundant and should be used sparingly.

Metaconcepts are concepts about concepts, for example, words such as “model,” “framework,” “process,” and “issue.” These words are commonly overused by bureaucrats and academics. Pinker warns that using too many metaconcepts can obscure a writer’s message and make their writing less active and meaningful.