strategies for dissertation and thesis writing: what to do and how to think about it as a rite of...
DESCRIPTION
Academic writing for dissertations and theses are a rite of passage at many levels - this presentation discussed both the pragmatic and the human side side of these challenges and the skills and strategies needed to get through themTRANSCRIPT
We will start in just a moment
Defining Your Strategic Approach To Academic Writing For Your Dissertation or Thesis
www.doctoralnet.com
Have you ever experienced a life changing event? Something that shifted your perspective on or about life forever? 1. If so, when? 2. Did you see it coming? 3. Were you prepared? 4. In retrospect, would you do anything
differently?
Dissertation/Thesis as a Rite of Passage: Preparing for the Tour de France
1. Starts with high hopes
and lots of planning. 2. Dissertations kick off in a
pack 3. But quickly some are lost
in the bushes 4. Others crash 5. Lots end up going it
alone. 6. Some are stranded
looking for help 7. The lucky ones find an
extra push from a friend 8. Some soar 9. And, with the right kind
of guidance all can end up on a beach at the end
Strategy Set #1: 4 Writing Big Documents
1. Keep your perspective in two places:
1. Where you are going – the golden thread of your ideas and how they link
2. Internal consistency – finite agreement between sentences, paragraphs and headings
2. Writing pace helps a lots with this one – faster is better
3. Plan your work, work your plan
4. Outside accountability
Strategy Set #2: The Proposal is like Packing for the Trip: NOT the Trip Itself
Let’s test the analogy in chat…
What do you do to prepare
for an exotic trip to a
far off land?
1. Learn about the place you are going
2. Talk to others who have been there
3. Pack for the trip
1. Your problem = the focus of your destination
2. Your literature = your clothes
3. Your methodology = your transportation (no one is taking
you there you are on your own to find it)
4. Access to the population = your passport
5. Proposal/prospectus hearing = visa
DoctoralNet Standard Advise…
1. Consider writing your methodology chapter first
2. Always have 5 or more model dissertations to work from
3. Find award winners to use as your models
4. Talk all the time about “how it is done”
5. Use many mentors
DoctoralNet Standard Advise… Specific to Proposals
1. Headings keep the golden thread alive – they show the reader where the methodology will surface, where the topic will etc.
2. If you don’t understand argument – learn about it now – know what claims, evidence, warrants and data are.
3. Know your academic writing basics: one thought to a paragraph – several paragraphs that make up a topic to a heading – several headings that lead to a logical component to your document to a chapter
THAT MAKE IT A RITE OF PASSAGE
It’s the tough times
Mental Strategies for Finishing •Keep your focus
•Don’t get distracted with others
•Don’t be afraid to try
•If caught in the bushes (or chasing a rabbit hole) admit it quickly and get help to move on
•Be prepared mentally for crash and burn
•Ask lots of different people for help – do not think fall prey to embarrassment
Can you relate?
Did any of these happen to you?
What did you learn?
Q & A
1.Has it been helpful?
2.What else do you still wonder about?
Upcoming News/Events 1. March 1 Starts 2 months of our focus on academic writing – sign into the site
for free resources + three conferences at end of month on #acwri
2. Taking names of interested parties for possible writing group with professorial help starting soon– cost $40 month if we get 5 or more signed up. One of conferences is a trial writing group for those who want to see if it would be a helpful strategy.
Phase 1: Formulating the Research
Questions of Your Study (IC)