Tag Archives: reader

using the progressive disclosure principle in academic writing

Posted on May 30, 2022 by pat thomson

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 Pat Thomson, progressive disclosure principle, reader, sequencing a text | 1 Comment

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

Posted on March 21, 2022 by pat thomson

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 audit trail, data analysis, methods, methods chapter, Pat Thomson, reader, trustworthy research | Leave a comment

revising like a reader

Posted on December 7, 2020 by pat thomson

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 Pat Thomson, reader, revision, revision strategy | 3 Comments

revising with a reader in mind – ten questions

Posted on October 29, 2018 by pat thomson

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 audience, Pat Thomson, reader, revising for your reader, revision | 3 Comments

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

Posted on September 3, 2018 by pat thomson

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 authoring, convention, Pat Thomson, reader, thesis, voice, writing more than one thing at once | Leave a comment

writing a bio-note

Posted on June 4, 2018 by pat thomson

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 academic selfie, bio-note, paratext, Pat Thomson, reader | 5 Comments

should I number my thesis?

Posted on April 7, 2014 by pat thomson

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 academic writing, argument, narrative, Pat Thomson, reader, thesis, thesis numbering system | 9 Comments

anticipate the unexpected reader

Posted on January 13, 2014 by pat thomson

People like me, people who teach about writing, are always wittering on about the importance of writing with a reader in mind. This is important, we say, because if you write for a particular reader you can connect what you … Continue reading →

Posted in Caroline Bettell, ethics, Mark Peel, reader, readership, representation | Tagged Caroline Bettell, ethics, Mark Peel, Pat Thomson, reader, representation | 7 Comments

writing the thesis abstract

Posted on December 11, 2013 by pat thomson

The thesis abstract is the first thing that your examiner reads. It sets the tone of what is to come. On the basis of the abstract alone, before they start the text proper, the examiner will form some expectations about … Continue reading →

Posted in abstracts, examiner, reader, thesis abstract | Tagged examiner, Pat Thomson, reader, thesis abstract | 13 Comments

six differences between thesis and book chapters

Posted on November 25, 2013 by pat thomson

This post is in response to a question about chapters in books and dissertations. I do try to answer questions, although it sometimes takes a while! There ARE some key differences between a thesis and a book chapter – here … Continue reading →