Writing Tips

1. Writing Tips

2. Readability • Consistent terms (concepts, var. names) • Moving from Big ideas to concrete examples • Coherence (from ¶ to ¶; section to section) • Grammar • Style

3. Evidence/Research • Citations throughout the paper • Introduction • Methodology sections • Research paper is not op-ed or lit. review. • It is a concise examination of a problem/question, with a clear purpose, and a systematic collection of evidence

4. Writing the Research Paper “A good dramatic story sets up an equation and solves it.” Interesting question – believable resolution

5. Structure of a good story ACT I: • a) Exposition • b) Inciting incident ACT II: • a) Complication: • b) Crisis: • c) Decision: ACT II: • a) Resolution • b) Epilogue

6. Structure of a good paper ACT I: INTRODUCTION • a) Exposition: (Background info) • b) Inciting incident: (The problem) ACT II: LITERATURE AND METHODS SECTION • a) Complication: (Competing explanations) • b) Crisis: (the unanswered question) • c) Decision: (methods of answering/solving question) ACT II: CONCLUSION • a) Resolution: (the evidence and the answer) • b) Epilogue: (qualifications)

7. Structure, Structure, Structure • Introduction • Literature Review • Methods Section • Results and Relevance • Limitations/qualifications

8. The Introduction • The narrative hook • Identify the problem • Studies that have addressed problem • Deficiencies in these studies • Importance of current study

9. Working with Words • In qualitative data analysis, there is a common reliance on words and images to draw out rich meaning • But there is an amazing array of perspectives on the precise focus of, and techniques for, conducting analysis

10. Logic and Methods • The methods and logic of qualitative data analysis involve: • uncovering and discovering themes that run through the raw data • and interpreting the implication of those themes for research questions

11. Funnelling Towards Meaning

12. Drawing Conclusions • Your findings and conclusions need to flow from analysis and show clear relevance to your overall project • Findings should be considered in light of: • significance • current research literature • limitations of the study • and finally your questions, aims, objectives, and theory

13. Presentation Tips • Preparing a presentation takes longer than you anticipate. • Present a clear statement of the problem and its importance. • Tell a story in a logical sequence. • Stick to the key concepts. Avoid unnecessary details. • Strive for clarity. Are these the best words for making your point? Are they unambiguous?

14. The Presentation as Conversation • So tell me what your research is about • And why did you choose this topic/question? • What do you hope to achieve? • I really don’t know much about this topic, can you fill me in? • How exactly did you go about doing your research? • And what did you find? • How would you explain the relevance of what you have done?

15. Presentation Tips • Don’t read your presentation • Make eye contact • Don’t overload your presentation with too many slides, images, or charts • Keep it to 15 to 20 minutes • Rehearse in front of a mirror

16. Write out your conclusion or summary slide first. It should emphasize the most important points you plan to make. Once you have visualized those points, it's relatively easy build your presentation around them.

17. Preparing for Submission • Preparing your document for submission involves: • getting appropriate feedback • and being prepared to draft and redraft your document

18. Drafting and redrafting • Moving from first to final draft is a multistage process that sees you working systematically through the development of: • logic and argument • coherence and consistency • fluency and readability • and finally, copy editing

19. Dissemination • The ultimate goal of any research project is to add to a body of knowledge • Once your project is complete, it’s worth thinking about broader dissemination