A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations, 7th edition - Kate L. Turabian 2007

Put key actions in verbs, not in nouns
Revising sentences
Part I. Research and writing: from planning to production

Readers want to get to a verb quickly, but they also want that verb to express a key action. So avoid using an empty verb such as have, do, make, or be to introduce an action buried in an abstract noun. Make the noun a verb.

Compare these two sentences (nouns naming actions are boldfaced; verbs naming actions are capitalized; verbs expressing little action are italicized):

9a. During the early years of the Civil War, the South's attempt at enlisting Great Britain on its side was met with failure.

9b. During the early years of the Civil War, the South ATTEMPTED to ENLIST Great Britain on its side, but FAILED.

In (9a), three important actions aren't verbs, but nouns: attempt, enlisting, failure. Sentence (9b) seems more direct because it expresses those actions in verbs: attempted, enlist, failed.