Tag Archives: reader

too many words for my reader

Some texts just read as too long. Maybe they do have a load of words – that chapter at 18k. That paper at 10k. But some chapters, papers, books and dissertations read long even if they are within word limits.  Sounds strange, … Continue reading

Posted in academic writing, nouny, passive voice, reader, revision, the point, too many words | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

five focusing questions to kick off some writing

So you’re about to write a paper. Or a chapter. You’ve gathered together all of the stuff you think you need – analysed data, a short list of references to cite, some early jottings. Now you begin to think about … Continue reading

Posted in beginning writing, contribution, pomodoro, the point, Tiny Text | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

how to talk about writing…

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

using the progressive disclosure principle in academic writing

I work a lot with artists and designers. Because I’m a bit of a magpie, I have a habit of collecting – and then using – their principles and approaches. A lot of them are interesting, because they make you … Continue reading

Posted in drafting, progressive disclosure principle, revision | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

what is an audit trail and why do you need one?

The term audit trail is shorthand. i use it to describe “evidential” material that you provide for a reader. I am a bit suspicious of the overuse of the word evidence, and I prefer “audit” because it describes what actually … Continue reading

Posted in audit trail, data analysis, methods, methods chapter, research methods | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

revising like a reader

Academic writing is generally intended to be persuasive. The writer – let’s say that’s us – wants to put a proposition to the reader, and convince them that what we have presented is credible. Our writing is worth taking seriously … Continue reading

Posted in reader, revision, revision strategy | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

revising with a reader in mind – ten questions

Academics write for different kinds of readers. We are often accused of writing only for each other, but this is no longer true. Many of us now write for many different kinds of readers – or audiences, as they are … Continue reading

Posted in academic writing, audience, reader, readership, revision, revision strategy, thesis revision | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

writing more than one thing at the same time – part two, authoring

There are good reasons for writing alongside the thesis. Besides contributing to the work (see first post) and your cv, there are authoring benefits. These include: the chance to learn more about academic writing the opportunity to develop a scholarly … Continue reading

Posted in academic writing, academic writing voice, authority in writing, authorship, crafting writing, genre, good academic writing, writing more then one thing at once | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

writing a bio-note

Most of us have to produce bio-notes. The bio-note is a little verbal selfie that goes with a book chapter, a journal article, or sometimes a conference presentation. Book authors also have to provide brief bio-notes which might go in … Continue reading

Posted in academic selfie, academic writing, bio-note, chapter, journal article, paratext, reader | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

should I number my thesis?

I’ve just been in a university where doctoral researchers are issued with a thesis template. This automatically sets up the font, layers of headings and the section and subsection numbering systems. If doctoral researchers decide to use this template, and … Continue reading

Posted in argument, epistemology, narrative, reader, thesis | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments