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Category Archives: theory
theory makes us feel stupid
This is the final post in my series on working with theory. It seemed appropriate to use something theoretical to round off: theory fright part one theory fright part two what’s a framework – conceptual or theoretical becoming friends with … Continue reading
Posted in academic writing, Giorgio Agamben, stupidity, theory
Tagged Giorgio Agamben, in-between, Pat Thomson, stupidity, theory
6 Comments
eight ways to write theory very badly
If you want to be the person who makes their reader sigh and eventually give up when they get to your theoretical ‘bit’, here’s some non-fail writing strategies. Do these and I guarantee your reader will be enervated and/or exasperated: … Continue reading
Posted in academic writing, nominalisation, primary source, reader, secondary source, syntax, theory
Tagged complex writing, nominalisation, Pat Thomson, syntax, writing theory
1 Comment
becoming friends with theory
I’m currently reading some theory that I’ve not read before. It’s in a field associated with mine, but the two areas are rarely brought together. I’m reading because I am wondering whether there is something in this new theoretical resource … Continue reading
Posted in academic writing, reading, theory
Tagged connection, difficulty, Pat Thomson, reading, terminology, theory
1 Comment
what’s a framework? – as in, conceptual or theoretical framework
Whenever people talk about concepts or theory, they usually add on another word – framework. And ‘framework’ can be as confusing as the concept or theory word that goes before it. (Check this recent post for the difference between concept … Continue reading
Posted in academic writing, coherence, conceptual, flow, framework, theory
Tagged coherence, conceptual framework, flow, framework, Pat Thomson, theoretical framework
7 Comments
theory fright – part two
Theory is explanation. Last post I suggested that this understanding might help to reduce fear of theory. This week, another piece in the fright reduction puzzle. Something else that might help reduce fear of theory is the understanding that not every … Continue reading
theory fright – part one
Lots of doctoral researchers worry about the Th word, Theory. When said aloud, you can often hear the capital T. It must be important. Theory. And perhaps because of the capital T, the question “What’s your theoretical framework?” can reduce … Continue reading
Posted in academic writing, concept, explanation, theory, theory chapter
Tagged concept, explanation, Pat Thomson, theory, theory fright
6 Comments
writing the thesis – the theoretical framework
Please note that I write my blog on weekends. It is not part of my workload or job description. I support the #USSstrike and “teach out” online. Not every thesis has a section or chapter devoted to a theoretical framework. … Continue reading
Posted in academic writing, chapter, examiner, theory, theory chapter, thesis
Tagged examiner, Pat Thomson, theory chapter, thesis
11 Comments
explain your terms – writing a journal article
That picky reviewer. They’ve questioned your words. Asked you to clarify. Suggested that you have things wrong. What’s that about? Reviewers often take issue with the ways in which writers use particular terminology. They may politely suggest that some clarification … Continue reading
Posted in academic writing, definition, journal article, sentence skeleton, terms, theory
Tagged definition, journal article, Pat Thomson, sentence skeleton, terms
7 Comments
explaining and justifying the use of theory via a sentence skeleton
I started this blog in early July 2011. To begin with I put up a load of small writing/researching ‘tools’ that I often used in teaching doctoral research methods and academic writing. After three years of blogging I thought I … Continue reading
Posted in sentence skeleton, theory
Tagged Pat Thomson, rhetoric, sentence skeleton, social theory
17 Comments
thirteen reasons researchers get asked to write their methods chapter again
Dissertation examiners always check the methods chapter or methodological writings carefully. And the more the doctorate is seen as research training, the more important it will be for examiners to make sure that the relevant writings in the thesis really … Continue reading
