Research Writing: The writing process

Common writing habits

or nothing writing (often under deadline pressure) Zigzag writing (writing and editing simultaneously)
All

Prompts
What

interests me about this is What Im doing is The reason Im doing this is The bottom line is The problem is I am trying to

A mindmap (on Goal Setting)

Are you ready to write?

Identify

questions Know your audience Find the centre Get peer support Strengthen your writing muscle Make an outline Write core sentences

Getting started: drafting

Focus

on content Allow yourself some momentum Use your outline but be flexible Resist the urge to edit before you have got your ideas down on on paper For a bigger project, work with rapid redrafting rather than one single draft

Conclusion: preparation and drafting

If you write regularly writing will become easier and your writing will improve To write regularly, you need to enjoy it To enjoy writing, you need a break from self-criticism Editing is important, but premature editing tends to take the joy (and the juice) out of writing

Two sides to the Reader coin writing Writer

Involvement Content Creativity Momentum, Voice Expression Distance Language Craft,

flow

skill Slower pace Critical judgment Communication Editing

Preparation/drafting

Editing strategies

Distance is crucial
You need to revise as though you were encountering your text for the first time

so you need a chance to forget

about your text.

Editing levels
The

text as a whole Sections and subsections Paragraphs Sentences Words (Vocabulary) Punctuation Editorial conventions

Core issues
Is

it clear? Is it expressed concisely?

Unity
Where

is the central statement? How prominent is it?

Unity
Title Headings

and subheadings Abstract, introduction, conclusion

Paragraphs
Judicious

use of core sentences helps paragraphs flow Readability begins to drop after 10 (typewritten) lines, and drops dramatically after 15. Variety has a strong impact on readability.

Sentences
An

average of 15 - 20 words per sentence is easiest to process Readability begins to drop at 20 words and drops dramatically at 25 Short sentences stand out, but over-use can create a choppy effect Variety is key

Editorial feedback
Helpful feedback is
- - - - -

Respectful Constructive Reflective Focused on patterns rather than individual instances Appropriate to the stage the text is at

Conclusion: editing
Edit

for clarity and conciseness Edit in short, focused bouts Let your drafts cool Distribute your efforts evenly

Alternative writing habits

Keep

drafting and editing separate Write regularly for short, set periods (including times for unworried writing)

Coming up: more writing courses

Thursday

Texture Tuesday 15 November: Is my writing academic enough? Thursday 15 December: Writing a Literature Review Tuesday 24 January: Writing Clinic

13 October: Text - Structure and