Productive Writing Strategies for Academic Success
Explore effective writing techniques and tips for productivity in academia, including genre considerations, working with advisors, collaborating with peers, and reflecting on the writing process. Gain insights on mastering new genres, overcoming imposter syndrome, and understanding the importance of different writing genres in grad school. Discover resources to enhance your writing skills and navigate various academic requirements successfully.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Writing for Success: Writing Productively During a Pandemic April 21, 2020 Presented by Shelley Hawthorne Smith, PhD University of Arizona Graduate College
To help you write productively, we will discuss: Considerations for mastering your genre Tips for working with your advisor Suggestions for working with peers How to reflect on your writing process Tips for writing productively Writing resources
Mastering new genres Grad school is all about: 1. Mastering new skills and areas of knowledge 2. Mastering new genres 3. Being introduced to a certain community Imposter syndrome can arise when the academic community fails to communicate that grad school is a time of growth.
What is a genre? Genres a way of communicating that is developed over time with a. . . Certain audience Certain author Certain purpose Certain conventions (to be mastered before you break them)
Genres to learn in grad school Academic syllabi, comprehensive exams, dissertation, etc. Scholarly journal articles, reviews, etc. Professional emails, letters of recommendations, applications to grants/fellowships, etc. Job market materials cover letters, diversity statements, etc. Source: https://owl.purdue.edu/writinglab/faculty/documents/Writing_Lab_Faculty_Guide_Summer_%202018.pdf
Genre discussion What genre is your current writing project? Academic Genres Academic Scholarly Professional Job market materials
Genre discussion How confident are you in that genre? What could you do to learn more about that genre?
Setting the Tone Mentoring a grad student is a skill and your advisor is learning (hopefully, if not and if possible, find another advisor) In as much as you can, let your advisor know what you need to learn as a writer. You begin by asking what you need to learn Work together through the Purdue OWL Faculty Guide to Working with Graduate Student Writers (https://owl.purdue.edu/writinglab/faculty/documents/Writing_Lab_Faculty_Guide_Summer_%202018.pdf )
The Critical Cover Sheet ALWAYS provide a cover sheet when you send writing to your advisor for comments. Where are you in the writing process? (Is this document nearly complete, partially complete, in the beginning stages?) What has changed since the reader last saw the draft? What is going well? What still needs work? What questions do you need answered?
What do you need? Who do you need? Find peers who make you feel smart and ask hard questions You ll need different kinds of writing support at different stages of your academic journey.
Types of Writing Groups Help you get writing done Review Writing Meet regularly (weekly is nice) Regular meetings Describe what you did in the past week Agree on structure Outline next week s goals Agree on types and methods for feedback Optionally write together Check in with one another and ask if it is working
Elements of a writing practice External Internal Space (where you work, amount of noise) Motivation Time (time of day, amount of time) Focus/Distractibility Relationships (who is with you physically) Relationships (who is with you emotionally, Access to technology (internet, number of mentally, spiritually) monitors, etc.) You are not in control of all the elements, but you are in control of some of them.
What is your ideal writing situation? What, ideally, would your external situation look like? What would your internal situation look like?
What is your current writing situation? External space, time, relationships, access to technology Internal motivation, focus, relationships
One thing Is there one thing you can do to make your current situation more like your ideal situation?
Writing Goals Write down the big goals Then make them smaller (and write those) Use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) Then realize you are way too ambitious and revise Each time you write, make specific and manageable goals Write them down Cross them off Examples of realistic goals Work on introduction for 25 minutes Incorporate Pike and Ortiz s article into discussion of methods Write one page of conclusion
Pomodoro Technique 25 minutes of writing 3 min break Repeat a few times and give yourself a longer break (20 min) Try it virtually with a friend! Verbally discuss your goals before and after the writing session.
A few other tips Do whatever you can do to minimize distractions and get into a state of flow. . . Writing CAN be fun When you stop, make notes for next time you begin writing Find your own best writing tips. Yes, writing daily for at least an hour is the most productive approach (duh) but it may not be YOUR best writing practice Want to write with a fountain pen? Go for it!
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (UA is a member and you can claim your free account until August 19, 2020): Monday motivator, writing challenges, multi-week challenges, and more: https://gradcenter.arizona.edu/announcements/2017/09/new-free-and- online-mentoring-and-career-development-resource-ua-students Explorations of Style an academic writing blog: https://explorationsofstyle.com/ The Thesis Whisperer Advice and links to great websites: https://thesiswhisperer.com/ Purdue OWL Faculty Guide to Working with Graduate Students: https://owl.purdue.edu/writinglab/faculty/documents/Writing_Lab_Faculty_G uide_Summer_%202018.pdf
Writing Efficiency Groups Structured time to write and a writing consultant: https://gradcenter.arizona.edu/writing-efficiency-sessions Writing Skills Improvement Program Tutoring, fee based services, and workshops: https://wsip.arizona.edu/ Think Tank Writing Center: https://thinktank.arizona.edu/writing-center
What is ONE thing you could do to be a more productive writer? Write down your writing goals? Participate in a Writing Efficiency Session? Try the pomodoro technique with a friend? Go over the Purdue Guide with your advisor?
