Category Archives: contribution

writing for publication – finding an angle and an argument

Posted on February 1, 2021 by pat thomson

This is a story, a my story, which leads to eight pointers about writing for publication.  I’m currently writing a paper. Well, yes, always writing something. But right now it’s a paper. A paper designed to do some thinking work … Continue reading →

Posted in argument, choosing the right journal, contribution, journal article, journal publication, literature a resource, the angle | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

“discussion” – it’s about moving forward

Posted on July 20, 2020 by pat thomson

Discussion. It’s a word that immediately comes to mind when we think about communicating research. First we report the results, and then we discuss them. Discussion might be a separate thesis chapter just before the conclusion, or the end of … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, argument, contribution, discussion, research | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

planning a paper

Posted on November 18, 2019 by pat thomson

Last week I was in Norway running a three part workshop on planning a journal article. The workshop was based around a Tiny Text abstract.   As a planner myself, I use Tiny Texts for sorting out the contribution argument … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, argument, contribution, journal article, planning, planning a paper, Tiny Text | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

a thesis (often) needs A Big Idea

Posted on June 10, 2019 by pat thomson

Everyone knows that the thesis has to make a contribution. No probs. Well yes, there are actually probs. At the end of the research it can be hard to find one. Contribution, where is it? You’re exhausted from generating all … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, argument, Big Idea, contribution, thesis | 5 Comments

thesis knowhow – “the contribution” can create coherence

Posted on April 2, 2018 by pat thomson

My Nordic colleagues often say that the thesis has to have a red thread, a line of argument that holds things together. So what’s this red thread? Think of the red thread as a sturdy rope that guides the reader … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, argument, coherence, contribution, thesis, thesis warrant | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

writing course – common problems in the Results/Discussion Section

Posted on February 9, 2015 by pat thomson

It’s always as well to know what can go wrong when writing a journal article. And there are multiple areas in any paper to think about. Just because there seem to be fewer conventions for the Results/Discussion section doesn’t mean … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, argument, contribution, discussion, headings, results | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

preparing for the PhD oral exam

Posted on April 17, 2014 by pat thomson

As a supervisor it is part of my job to help doctoral researchers prepare for their viva. I’ve not done one myself, as Australian PhDs are typically examined by means of a long report from two or three examiners. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in contribution, viva | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

three reasons why editing a book is a good idea

Posted on December 2, 2013 by pat thomson

Is it worth editing a book? I’ve been asked this question a couple of times recently. It’s actually not an easy question, as you might guess. That’s because the answer depends on all kinds of things, including where you are … Continue reading →

Posted in academic book, collaboration, contribution, editing, profile | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

who wants to read about my place?

Posted on November 18, 2013 by pat thomson

I’ve recently been in Iceland working on an academic writing course. The participants were doctoral researchers. They came with data that they wanted to turn into a peer reviewed paper. The majority of them were doing PhDs by publication so … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, contribution, conversation, journal, local, PhD by publication | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

quotations – handle with care

Posted on November 11, 2013 by pat thomson

Quotations are dangerous. The way that you use quotations can give away whether you think you are still writing as a student, or writing as an expert scholar in your own right. Student assignments are often heavily strewn with quotations. … Continue reading →

Posted in authority in writing, contribution, quotations | Tagged , , | 13 Comments