Scientific Writing February 11, 2016 Howard University Graduate School Preparing Future Faculty Sherrie Flynt Wallington, PhD Assistant Professor of Oncology Program Director, Health Disparities Initiative Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Georgetown University Medical Center

Today’s Agenda CHAOS More Chaos Did I Mention Chaos?

Today’s Agenda Discuss the importance of scientific writing Review key writing principles Dissertations Academic Journals Discuss barriers to writing Identify successful writing strategies Provide useful writing resources

Writing: Key Principles audience purpose occasion

Format Typography Layout Mechanics Grammar Usage Punctuation Spelling Form embodies the format and mechanics of writing Importance of Form

Getting in the Mood Writing the First Draft Revising, Revising, Revising Finishing We Can Split the Writing Process Into Stages

A structured approach to achieve writing ambitions is essential for success

A VOIDING THE D ISSERTATION B REAKDOWN : S TRATEGIES F OR C OMPLETING Y OUR D ISSERTATION O N T IME A ND S TRESS - FREE

Dissertation Strategies Your dissertation starts the day you accept the dissertation. Talk with other students who have successfully completed their dissertation. Don't fall in to the trap that this will be your last and best work and everything has to be perfect. Design your research so you can finish. Do not let the dissertation finish you. A good dissertation is a done dissertation. View your course work and research papers as potential dissertation topics. Develop a system for your writing.

Select Advisors and Committees Carefully Familiarize yourself with the work and research interests of all advisors and committee members involved with your dissertation. Know what their writing and critical thinking expectations are. Request feedback on a frequent basis. Respect their demands and requests, and resolve any disagreements or disputes with absolute integrity and professional courtesy. They are doing you a favor; reward their faith in you. Credit: Howard University Psychology Faculty Departmental Photo--

Consult Others Become acquainted with others who’ve completed a dissertation in your field (preferably within your program and institution). Read their work. Ask their advice/opinion about your topic and get recommendations from them about advisors, mentors, committee members, etc. Discuss with them their approach (what worked for them).

Develop a Systematic Plan for Your Writing Set firm goals and deadlines. Use an outline, but make it flexible. Establish set days and times when you will research and write. Also, establish set times when you will take breaks and step away from the process (avoid burnout). Create a reward system for completing certain steps.

Employ Good Citation and Reference Techniques Purchase and use a good citation program (EndNotes, ReferenceWorks, etc.). Meticulously keep track of all reference material. Make sure direct quotes are accurate. Avoid secondhand sources. Try to use current sources, if at all possible (within the last ten years). Err on the side of caution; better to over-cite than plagiarize.

University Guidelines and Format Familiarize yourself with the actual format that your dissertation requires. Not only do different departments follow different formats, but the university may also have specific formatting instructions that they require for the final, presented dissertation. If writing is not particularly your strong suit, avail yourself of a professional editing or proofreading service. Some universities actually require it. Many universities have approved lists of editors who are reputable and do first-class work.

Template Karen Kelsky is the Founder and President of The Professor Is In

Academic Journal Writing

Journal Writing Strategies To improve your writing, choose good mentors Read good writing and examples of good writing Reflect and think about what time of day you do your best writing - morning, afternoon, or evening Develop a writing plan and write every day A scientific poster is a potential publishable manuscript Put together a writing team Don’t send out anything until it has been reviewed by someone else Manage your writing time Make appointments to write To improve your writing, choose good mentors Read good writing and examples of good writing Reflect and think about what time of day you do your best writing - morning, afternoon, or evening Develop a writing plan and write every day A scientific poster is a potential publishable manuscript Put together a writing team Don’t send out anything until it has been reviewed by someone else Manage your writing time Make appointments to write

Manuscript Writing Plan Template Manuscript Title Manuscript Focus Potential JournalsDue Date Status/ Progress Report

You Do Not Start Out Writing Good Stuff … You Start Out Writing Bad Stuff You don't start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it's good stuff, and then gradually, you get better at it. That's why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence. Octavia Butler Read more at #jwCeQAgs7ZTLK380.99

Writing Barriers: Reflective Exercise What are your barriers? What are strategies to overcome your barriers?

Writing Resources NIH Grants and Funding

Questions, Ideas or Comments?