This and That

The start of a sentence should remind the reader of a term from the previous sentence. That "reminder" word or phrase must be specific; vague reminders leave readers confused. One reminder word is "this" in the two-sentence example below:

(1) The family assessment guide takes longer to administer, yet the interview style allows its completion in separate blocks of time. (2) We utilized this, since the respondents could be available only sporadically.

The second sentence begins, "We utilized this." Clearly "this" must refer to an earlier term. But which one?

I avoid using "this," "these," "that," or "those" (in their demonstrative sense) without adding a noun or noun phrase. For example, the second sentence in the example should begin "This assessment guide . . . " or "This family-assessment guide . . . "

Words such as "this" and "these" are like children under ten. They shouldn't be allowed out by themselves.

Flesch Reading Ease: 67.4 (ideal is 70)
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 6.5