Academic Writing Basics for Doctoral Students: Keeping Your Reader in Mind
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This document provides guidance on writing skills for post-graduate education, focusing on readability, organization, and voice. It discusses measuring readability using tools like the Flesch score. Good organization is emphasized, with basic rules like using logical headings and paragraphs. Developing a consistent academic voice is also covered, with exercises to establish one's writing style. The document concludes by announcing upcoming changes to the DoctoralNet website to improve user experience.
![“I can’t write without a reader. It’s precisely like a
kiss—you can’t do it alone.”
― John Cheever
“Every time someone opens a [thesis] and begins to
read, a synergy between the reader and the writer
occurs across time and space.”
― Jeanette O'Hagan](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/writingbasics4readersorganizedreadability2-160718133350/85/Academic-Writing-Basics-for-Doctoral-Students-Keeping-Your-Reader-in-Mind-2-320.jpg)
Academic Writing Basics for Doctoral Students: Keeping Your Reader in Mind
- 1. Exploiting Rapid Change in Technology Enhanced Learning … for Post Graduate Education Writing Basics: 4 Readers, Organized, Readability, Voice
- 2. “I can’t write without a reader. It’s precisely like a kiss—you can’t do it alone.” ― John Cheever “Every time someone opens a [thesis] and begins to read, a synergy between the reader and the writer occurs across time and space.” ― Jeanette O'Hagan
- 3. Agenda: Looking at Award Winners 1. Readability 2. Organization 3. Voice
- 4. http://www.online-utility.org/english/readability_test_and_improve.jsp Readability FLESCH: 1. The Flesch readability score uses the sentence length (number of words per sentence) and the number of syllables per word in an equation to calculate the reading ease. Texts with a very high Flesch reading Ease score (about 100) are very easy to read, have short sentences and no words of more than two syllables. 2. Our score: 1 = very hard to read – only good for the academic audience, if then 2 = better, still hard to read but could be understood by anyone with work 3 = most academic writing is here – easy enough to follow but a bit boring 4 = the magic mix of rigorous research with an interesting voice Readability is the ease with which a reader can understand a written text. The readability of a particular text depends on content (for example, the complexity of its vocabulary and syntax), and typography (for example, its font size, line height, and line length).
- 5. Organization transitive verb 1: to cause to develop an organic structure 2: to form into a coherent unity or functioning whole : TO INTEGRATE in such a way your reader easily follows you. Organization allows your reader to follow your ideas and judge your work accordingly. You will be required to write for examination, so it is wise to know the purpose of each section. TO ORGANIZE
- 6. Basic Rules 1. Headings place the reader in the space of your ideas – they need to flow in a logical order. 2. Paragraphs make ONE point – and each point adds up to the discussion only of the heading it is under. 3. Paragraphs are logically organized like a funnel or an inverted funnel 4. Sentences need to be complex enough to tease out the thought but simple enough not to get the reader lost between commas. 5. Sentences within paragraphs follow an order which is similar throughout the document – big point through the bits that make it up, or samller parts as they add up to the whole. 6. Words need to be recognizable or so well introduced that everyone can follow your logic. 7. When things get complex, use examples. 8. Know the rules of argumentation TO ORGANIZE FOR READABILITY
- 7. Component 5: Results or Analysis • Presents your data as they relate to your research questions with a neutral voice. • Minority data are also discussed • Enough information is given to the reader that they can draw their own conclusions Component 6: Discussion or Conclusion • Summarizes the findings • Provides perspective on them • Refers back to the introduction • Ties everything together • Discusses the study's strengths and weaknesses • Discusses implications and applications for the discipline • Discusses future directions for research Component 1: Introduction • The introduction • Presents the problem or exploration • Makes clear the research question to be addressed • Describes the motivation for the study • Describes the context in which the question arises • Summarizes the dissertation's findings • Discusses the importance of the findings • Provides a roadmap for readers Component 2: Literature Review • Puts your work in the context of your field • Is comprehensive and up to date • Introduces the ideas you build on • Contextualizes the problem Component 3: Theory • The ideas as others have contextualized them which underpin your ideas and this study • Aligns with the question at hand • the author shows comprehension of the theory's • Strengths • Limitations Component 4: Methods • What kind of research you are doing is explained • As well as the ways and means you studied your topic • The strengths and limitations of your choices • How/why you navigated your choices the way you did. • How data collection and analysis proceeded – what was learned
- 8. Voice What do you want to communicate about yourself? Do you… Lecture? Tell stories? Encourage? Have tons of details? A strong voice helps you establish consistency Test of our docs…. 1. Read three random paragraphs – beginning middle and end – same voice? 2. Unique voice?
- 9. Exercises to Establish Your Voice Choose the section of your work you are most comfortable with. Drill down to a paragraph or two where your facts/meanings are clear. Now rewrite it – make it SERIOUS / LIGHT / FULL OF DETAILS / DESCRIPTIVE Lecture? Tell stories? Encourage? Have tons of details? What other adjectives?
- 10. Final ideas A blank page is your worst enemy – write something! You might not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page. Jodi Picoult When you aren’t sure what to write… 1. Mind map it 2. Read the same section from others 3. Rewrite someone else to your topic
- 11. What’s Up at DoctoralNet? Everything (almost) will be new in September 1. No more getting lost on the site or searching hard for what you need. Every sign in will be personalized to you – your phase, your skill development and your motivation level 2. Because we all value what we pay for - You will have one day to test it, then because we value your opinions, with a survey one week to search out whether the tool meets your needs. 3. Because everyone wants to be part of an active group to help meet their needs… Opt-in services (except webinars, the 365s and the writing challenge) will be for members only. 4. Because value is different in different currencies. The price will drop to a value that can be met around the world.
- 12. Watch for test it out webinars in September! & earn benefits for attending.