Tag Archives: academic writing

the end of AcWriMo – now what?

Posted on November 26, 2022 by pat thomson

It’s the end of the officially designated month of academic writing. I must confess to being a bit dissatisfied with what I’ve done. I do seem to have written a lot. But it’s been more like – some of this … Continue reading →

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not writing as usual #AcWriMo

Posted on November 7, 2022 by pat thomson

A lot of writing advice focuses on how to be more productive. Write more. Write fast. Write often. Write regularly. Write better. Do we really need this? Well, probably. Writing is important for getting a job, getting a promotion, getting … Continue reading →

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Ten quick ideas for refreshing your writing #AcWriMo

Posted on October 31, 2022 by pat thomson

It’s nearly November. And that means its AcWriMo. Academic Writing Month. The idea of Acwrimo is to use the month of November to make major headway on a big writing project. Or to kick start a writing project. Or to … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, acwrimo, creative writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

small scholarly worlds

Posted on October 17, 2022 by pat thomson

Despite our globally connected digital world, we still primarily live in “small worlds”. Well, that’s according to George Siemens (2004). Small worlds are generally populated by people who have similar interests and knowledges, Siemens says. However, each small world can … Continue reading →

Posted in connectivism, george Siemens, literature mapping, literature review, literature reviews, networks | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

unlearning – a tiny reflection

Posted on October 3, 2022 by pat thomson

There’s a lot of learning that goes on in universities. Of course, I hear you say, that is what universities are about. Yes, but I’m thinking particularly about the learning that goes on during the doctorate and afterwards. On and … Continue reading →

Posted in de-familiarisation, reflexivity, the familiar, unlearning | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

is academic writing changing?

Posted on September 26, 2022 by pat thomson

Just the other day. Just the other day someone asked me if I thought that academic writing was becoming more ‘authentic’. I didn’t really understand what this meant. But then I got it – ‘authentic’ writing was when academic writers … Continue reading →

Posted in good academic writing, Helen Sword, reader, style, style and structure | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

the dictionary is (sometimes) your friend – starting the PhD

Posted on September 5, 2022 by pat thomson

If you are doing a PhD it’s a good idea to buy, or find online, a good reliable dictionary.  Not only doctoral researchers a good dictionary. Most of us use a dictionary rather more than we let on. Just yesterday … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing voice, dictionary, Howard Becker, starting the PhD | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

writing a lot – starting the PhD, and finishing it

Posted on August 8, 2022 by pat thomson

When you write, you must write a lot, but that does not mean you will publish a lot, which means that when you are writing, or when you have finished writing, it might be that no one knows that you … Continue reading →

Posted in rewriting, routine, writing and thinking, writing as work, writing routine | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

how to talk about writing…

Posted on July 11, 2022 by pat thomson

Everyone who talks about writing has to use language that people can relate to and understand. Of course. Duh. Sometimes this means using terms that are already in circulation – like pomodoro and shut up and write. while these terms … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, Larry McEnerney, reader, talking writing, value | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

last-minute proofing – 12 things to look for

Posted on June 27, 2022 by pat thomson

The last stages of handing in a thesis or book can be very trying.  It’s taken you an age to get to the point where this big hefty manuscript is as ready as it’s going to be. Well just about. You … Continue reading →

Posted in academic book, Big Book, proof-reading, proofreading, thesis | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments