scholarly writing workshop by shawn nordell
DESCRIPTION
Workshop on how to conduct scholarly writing using daily short writing sessions.TRANSCRIPT
Scholarly Writing
Or
How to write your Dissertation/Thesis on 30 minutes a day!
Shawn E. Nordell, Ph.D. ([email protected])Department of Biology, Saint Louis UniversitySenior Faculty Fellow, Reinert Teaching Center
Learning Objectives/Goals
Discuss the obstacles to writing Present strategies for getting started
writing Present strategies for maintaining a
productive writing schedule
Assessment of Writing Problems
What prevents you from writing?
Free write for five minutes on what prevents you from writing. Write whatever comes to your mind about
what prevents you from writing. Do NOT stop writing during the five minutes.
Assessment of Writing Problems
What prevents you from writing?
Writing Misconceptions
Writing requires:HUGE blocks of timeNo interruptionsAmazingly clear ideas and thoughts!Complete paper written in head already!Each sentence will come out perfectly
on the computer screen!
Simply NOT Supported!!!
The most successful academic writers write every day for short periods of time.
Individuals who wrote daily (Boice):
• Wrote twice as many hours as those who wrote occasionally in big blocks of time
• Wrote and revised ten times as many pages
• Also produced more consistent creative ideas
The most successful academic writers write every day for short periods of time.
25 minutes of writing 5 minute break
You can do almost anything for 25 minutes!
Pomodorotechnique.com
The most successful academic writers write every day for short periods of time.
Make writing a daily activity Regardless of mood Regardless of readiness to write Schedule your writing time each day
When you are “fresh”?
The most successful academic writers write every day for short periods of time.
Priority principleMake writing a priorityDelay reward until after writing
• E.g. shower, checking email/ internet, chocolate, reading the newspaper/ internet news, watching TV/ internet
Failure to write results in:• Contribution to least favorite organization
The most successful academic writers write every day for short periods of time.
Establish one or few writing places No non-essential reading No cleaning during writing session Quiet place Limit social interruptions
• Close door• Post writing schedule• Unplug or turn off cell phone and internet• Create set aside list
Where is this for you?
Limiting Distractions
Minimize disruptions NO email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
Pinterest, etc.
Apps that control your internet addiction
StayFocused (Chrome) LeechBlock (Firefox) OmmWriter (Mac, PC, Ipad) Freedom (Mac)
The most successful academic writers write every day for short periods of time.
Make a daily writing goal Plan to work on specific finishable units of
writing in each session. What is your specific goal for this
writing session? Revise two paragraphs in introduction Write 500 words for argument on ….. Draft two new paragraphs for documentation of evidence
for……
Successful writers write BEFORE they are ready
Writing without feeling “ready” Learn to tolerate (and even embrace)
imperfect material in early drafts Anne Lamott:
Bird by Bird, Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Terrible first drafts lead to good second drafts and terrific third drafts
Good way to get started writing Generate creative work
Successful writers write BEFORE they are ready
Write to help develop and formulate their thesis
Write to better understand their topic Write to learn the best prose to use for their
discipline Exercise:
Write for 5 minutes on some aspect of your current writing project
DON’T stop• For anything
Write anything!
Successful writers practice Active Waiting
Active waiting:means pausing reflectively during the
day means thinking about writingsets the stage for the next days writingmeans making notes/ diagrams for the
next days writing
“Park on the downhill slope”
Leave your writing with an easy re-entry pointPartial sentenceLead in to next paragraphTo do list
Successful writers practice NonAttachment
Moderate overattachment and overreaction
Encourage criticism! You are NOT your writing! Terrible first drafts are NOT written by
terrible people Use storage files to store unneeded
sentences, paragraphs, ideas
Strategies for the long run
Keep a writing journal Record how many minutes spent writing and reading
Boice experiment (1 year):• Controls - wrote in big block
• no change to writing habits• Writing avg = 17 pages
• Daily writers with journal• Writing avg = 64 pages
• Daily writer with journal and group• Writing avg = 157 pages
Strategies for the long run
Find a support group Writing groups – SLU Writing Services Online
Academic Writing Club (Academic Ladder)• www.academicwritingclub.com• fee based ($2-3/ day)
Twitter• #writingsprint• #wordsprint
PhinisheD• http://www.phinished.org/ (free)
Assessment of Writing Problems
What prevents you from writing? Anything we have not yet addressed????
Review
Write before you are ready Don’t wait for deadlines
Minimize distractions Writing conducive space
Don’t stop writing during your writing session
End writing session so that it is easy to start again tomorrow
Be mindful of your writing and waiting Kick it out the door!
References:
Boice, Robert.1990. Professor as writers: A self-help guide to productive writing. New Forums Press, Stillwater, OK
Boice, Robert. 2000. Advice for new faculty members: nihil nimus. Allyn & Bacon. Needham Heights, MA
Belcher, Wendy Laura. 2009. Writing your journal article in 12 weeks. Sage Press. Los Angeles