Introduction to Research Writing Alysoun Taylor-Hall October 19, 2016

Introduction to Research Writing Entering the conversation Conducting your literature review Establishing good research habits & tools Getting ready to write Writing: Introduction Body Conclusion Abstract Finishing your document General writing tips Resources

About Me BA in English w/Concentration in Professional Writing Certificate in Technical Writing MBA Instructor for MME Department teaching Technical Communication Technical Writer/Editor for CEPRO research group

Entering the Conversation Research as an ongoing conversation You are being invited to join the conversation Start by listening to what’s already been said Practice good manners

Establishing Good Research Habits Document as you go Keep a research notebook/journal Archive your data Learn to use available tools RefWorks: http://www.libraries.wright.edu/writing_help/refworks/

Conducting Your Literature Search Conduct your own comprehensive search Start with current publications, but be sure to check older resources as well Follow up on the works cited in relevant publications Talk to other researchers in your field Contact Phil Flynn, Engineering Librarian, for assistance with your search: phil.flynn@wright.edu 775-2533

Conducting Your Literature Search Document your search from the very beginning Use available tools and resources RefWorks: http://www.libraries.wright.edu/quicklinks/refworks/ Jab Ref http://jabref.sourceforge.net/

Getting Ready to Write Audience Analysis Who will be reading your document? Types of Audiences General/lay audience Expert audience Executive audience What do your readers know about your topic? What do they need to know? Tip: As a writer, you sound “smart” when your reader can understand your ideas

Writing Your Introduction Write your introduction first Use your research notebook/journal Lay out your argument for your topic Organize your document to support your argument

Writing the Body of Your Document Remember audience analysis What does your “expert” audience already know? What do they need to know? Remember to cite as you go Graphs, figures, tables Any language that is not your own Some readers will skip around, so each chapter should stand alone Point readers to where they need to go within the document

Writing Your Conclusion Provides a satisfactory stopping point for the reader Generally relatively brief No need to restate the entire abstract In research writing, conclusion will generally emphasize findings and future work Highlight any original contribution The only other part some readers will read Make sure the conclusion is well edited

Writing Your Abstract Generally a 1-page document that summarizes your research Write for more of an executive audience Keep sentences relatively short and direct Limit explanations of complex concepts Assume that many readers will only read the first page Focus on your motivations Why does this work need to be done? Who will benefit? What is the outcome?

Using Sources in an Abstract Be careful when citing sources in an abstract Know your audience expectations Find the right balance of general and specific If you use specific information that would otherwise require a citation, you need to find a way to give credit If you don’t use citations, make sure credit is given within the text; ex: We extend Johnson’s recent theory of ________ to demonstrate __________ If you do use citations, resolve them on the same page

Finishing Your Abstract Allow plenty of time for revision Ask other readers to read your abstract Ask someone unfamiliar with your topic Your abstract should be as clean, clear, and concise as you can make it Good practice for writing thesis, research proposals

Finishing Your Document Allow plenty of time for revision and finishing Edit your document thoroughly Use spell-check and grammar tools

Style Guides How do you know what format to use for your citations? Style guides provide specific guidelines: Examples: MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian Provide specific guidance on many style issues, including citations Many disciplines have a standard style Examples: Psychology uses APA; English uses MLA Unfortunately, Engineering does not have a standard style guide

Engineering Styles What style should you use? Check the University Libraries website to find style guides for your discipline: http://guides.libraries.wright.edu/content.php?pid=59883&sid=0 Check publications in your discipline and follow their format Ask your professor or advisor Ask the University Librarian

General Writing Tips Understand how readers process your writing Your goal is to make the reader’s job as easy as possible Save their energy to focus on your ideas, not your writing Effective writing doesn’t tire the reader

General Writing Tips Understand how readers process your writing, cont. Limitations of short-term memory Present the information in the most logical order for ease of processing Allow frequent breaks so readers can process what they’ve read and move it out of short-term memory Parenthetical information demands more from your reader

General Writing Tips Punctuation provides sign posts to guide your reader through your document Punctuation works best when it meets subconscious reader expectations Written punctuation does not follow spoken “breaks” in the sentence Learn to punctuate according to American English norms Good punctuation Keeps your reader from tiring Allows your reader to focus on your ideas

General Writing Tips Use active voice: Subject Verb Object not Object Verb (implied Subject) I will take out the trash The trash will be taken out Active voice is far less tiring than passive voice

General Writing Tips But . . . vary your writing style occasionally Maintain reader interest Too many sentences in the same style begin to sound “sing songy” Invert the order of a few sentences Combine two sentences But make sure you do this correctly (not run on)

Help with Writing Skills EGR 3350/5350: Technical Communications for Engineering and Computer Scientists University Writing Center http://www.wright.edu/uc/success/services/writing-center.html Online resources University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/ Rensellaer Center for Communication Practices: http://www.ccp.rpi.edu/resources/ Purdue Writing Center http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ Grammar Girl http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl

Questions?