Semester 1 (Week 2)
Theses are the notes I took during the Tuesday afternoon workshop that took place from 14:00 to 17:00 on 26th September 2017. The tutor was Dr Claire McAvinia.
Topic for today’s workshop
– Re-introduction to Academic Writing
Consider your choice of academic paper.
Phyllis Creme, Writing at University
Mike Wallace and Alison Ray, Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates
Paul J Silva, How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing
Note: Approaches to Learning (look up this learning theories pirated copy online)
What is academic writing?
Clear formal language
Evidence from others (references)
Answers or debates a specific question in the feld
Has clear organisation and layout
Writing is a process that happens to have a product
Prepare -> Research -> Organise -> Draft -> Revise
(Circular)
Getting started
What do you do to help you start writing
Brainstorming
Free-writing
Mind-mapping
Outlining
Sharing writing with someone else
Speaking aloud
Asking W questions (who, what, when, where, why)
Key elements in your writing (from Creme & Lea, 2003)
Development an argument
Linking theory and practice
Drawing a conclusion
Analysing
Being critical
Developing a central idea
Processing information
Incorporating facts
Correct terminology
Logical order
Use of evidence to support argument
Use of primary texts
Use of quotation
Drawing on personal experience
Why can it be difficult to write?
Academics are taught to be analytical and critical
There can be few short-term deadlines for the work
Writing is often undertaken in isolation
Writing Strategies: Free Writing
The following will be use to me in Year 2:
I have previous experience of research and academic writing from a previous Masters (thesis and publication) in 1994. This, together with MSc Year 1 has given me a lot of confidence in my ability to successfully get through this year. I enjoy working alone on longer term projects, of a creative nature, so I am looking forward to Year 2 overall.
Setting a writing goal
Where are you now?
– Amending proposal?
– Starting some literature review?
What is the next piece of writing you need to do?
When will you start this piece?
…
2 more questions
A commonly used structure
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
… plus a few more
Starting to think about journals
Who is the publisher?
Who is the editor / who is on the editorial board?
Is the journal national or international?
What do the guidelines for contributions stipulate?
Is some or all of the content peer-reviewed?
How many issues are there per year and how many of these are themed/special issues?
What types of material are published?
Are articles illustrated?
How many references do papers typically include?
How long is the average article?
My note: try to match keywords and topics with journals.
What is the impact factor of the journals.
Reference the people on the editorial board.
Why do journals reject articles?
It fails the technical screening
It does not fall within the Aims and Scope
It’s incomplete