January 21, 2015 Katie Rodger, Ph.D. University Writing Program

Write… List 3 goals that you can accomplish in the next 2 weeks (goals for your Explorations paper).

Write… List 3 goals that you can accomplish in the next 2 weeks (goals for your Explorations paper). List 3 obstacles or excuses that may prevent you from accomplishing these goals.

Strategies for Writing…  Schedule work time in your calendar.  Set a weekly deadline for your work.  Set a daily goal for your work.  Create deadlines with your reader(s).  Think about work space/environment.

Strategies for Writing…  Schedule work time in your calendar.  Set a weekly deadline for your work.  Set a daily goal for your work.  Create deadlines with your reader(s).  Think about work space/environment.  Writing is a marathon. Not a sprint.  Be the boss of your project. Own it.

The research process…

 What are you doing?

The research process…  What are you doing?  What is the significance of your work? To you? To your field/discipline/department? To your career goals?

The research process…  What are you doing?  What is the significance of your work? To you? To your field/discipline/department? To your career goals?  What information do you need? Data Texts Evidence

The research process…  Create a schedule for your research.  Develop a research plan with an advisor.  Set reasonable goals.

The research process…  Create a schedule for your research.  Develop a research plan with an advisor.  Set reasonable goals.  Write about your research often. Create a research journal Create an annotated bibliography Use a database (i.e. Endnote, Zotero, etc.) Keep detailed notes and analysis Write down questions, problems, gaps, etc.

Evaluating sources…  Summarize it – write down answers: What does it say? (thesis) How was it done? (methodology) Who did it? What is different, innovative, advantageous?

Evaluating sources…  Analyze it – write down answers: Why is this text/source important to me? Do I agree with it? Why or why not? How is this text/source important to my paper or project? How does this text/source engage with other texts/sources? Advanced research projects engage and critique existing research.

Developing your ideas…  Make a point or claim.

Developing your ideas…  Make a point or claim.  Support it with evidence. Textual support Data Anecdote, interviews, etc. Graphics

Developing your ideas…  Make a point or claim.  Support it with evidence. Textual support Data Anecdote, interviews, etc. Graphics  Explain the significance of the claim and evidence. To your overall thesis, to other points, etc.

Explain the significance…  “So what?”

Explain the significance…  “So what?”  How does this connect to my thesis?  How does this matter to the topic?  How does this connect to my next point?  Am I saying something new?  Am I engaging with other scholars/texts?

Explain the significance…  “So what?”  How does this connect to my thesis?  How does this matter to the topic?  How does this connect to my next point?  Am I saying something new?  Am I engaging with other scholars/texts?  BE EXPLICIT!

Organizing your paper…  What are the expectations of your field?  Who is your audience? Literal audience – advisor(s), editors Imagined audience – professionals, academics What do they know? Not know?

Organizing your paper…  What genre? IMRaD, essay, report, literature review, etc.  What is your purpose? To report or inform To argue To persuade To call to action

Questions?