Category Archives: contribution

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 academic writing, argument, contribution, journal article, planning | 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 argument, coherence, contribution, Pat Thomson, red thread, thesis | 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 academic writing problems, journal article, Pat Thomson, results | 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 coach, Pat Thomson, viva cards, viva preparation | 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 collaboration, connection, editing books, Pat Thomson, profile | 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 →