Category Archives: conversation

what does ” connect your work to an ongoing conversation” mean?

Posted on March 14, 2022 by pat thomson

We often hear that writing about your research is, or ought to be, joining a conversation. Other people have discussed your topic before and your writing needs to connect with that conversation. And “the conversation” actually means the published literature. … Continue reading →

Posted in connecting, conversation, literature reviews, literature themes, literatures paper, meta discourse | Tagged connecting, literatures work, meta discourse, Pat Thomson, the conversation | 1 Comment

reading groups/journal clubs are a good idea

Posted on January 25, 2021 by pat thomson

There’s a lot written about the benefits of academic writing groups, writing rooms and writing retreats. But not so much about academic reading groups. And yet, they can be just as beneficial. Being in a reading group puts you in … Continue reading →

Posted in "outstanding" publication, conversation, learning and talking, reading, talking, talking writing | Tagged academic writing, Pat Thomson, reading, reading group, scholarly conversation | 1 Comment

writing argument – it’s not (always) a contest

Posted on January 11, 2021 by pat thomson

We all know the word argument. By argument, we usually mean that people have some kind of quarrel. People take opposing positions about something and then each proceeds to try to convince the other(s) that they are right. When arguments … Continue reading →

Posted in argument, conversation, explanation | Tagged academic conversation, Academic writing Pat Thomson, argument, explanatory argument, Pat Thomson | 1 Comment

self-citation by proxy

Posted on May 15, 2017 by pat thomson

Meet Dr Oozing-Confidence. He knows his work is important. Very important. Superior even. He gets very miffed when he reads anything that is on his topic, or connected with it, that doesn’t recognise his contributions and their significance. He is always keen … Continue reading →

Posted in conversation, journal article, peer review, self-citation | Tagged conversation, Pat Thomson, peer review, self-citation | 5 Comments

on the perils of self-citation

Posted on August 24, 2015 by pat thomson

The other day I got a book in the mail. Not that unusual. This was one that I’d written a chapter in and it was my complimentary copy. Before I stuck it on the shelf I thought I’d take a … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, conversation, self-citation | Tagged Pat Thomson, self-citation | 6 Comments

read what you want to write

Posted on April 3, 2014 by pat thomson

One of the common pieces of advice given to creative writers is to read widely, work out what you like and then write like those you admire. This writing-like-admirable-others requires the aspiring creative writer to analyse various aspects of the … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, conversation, creative writing, debates in the field, disciplines, doctoral education | Tagged academic writing, debates, genre, Pat Thomson, style | 10 Comments

getting published in English language journals

Posted on February 27, 2014 by pat thomson

I am often asked to say something about problems faced by scholars who are expected to publish in English, despite this not being their mother tongue. People refer to my book on getting published and ask for more. My book … Continue reading →

Posted in conversation, English language, publishing | Tagged conversation, literacy broker, Mary Jane Curry, publication in English, Teresa Lillis | 3 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 contribution, international, journal, local, Pat Thomson | 5 Comments

the importance of doing your homework

Posted on July 19, 2012 by pat thomson

I’ve just been involved in selecting for a postdoctoral bursary and a PhD studentship. In both instances some of the people who applied had good ideas, the kinds of track records that garnered attention, and wrote well structured applications about … Continue reading →