March 31, 2011 Writing Manuscripts Why write? What to write? How to write? When to write?
March 31, 2011
Why do you write? Share your ideas Clarify your thoughts Leave a legacy Qualify for promotion
March 31, 2011 What to Write? Article Editorial Case report Curricula Reviews Case studies Chapters Research question Specific Original Relevant
March 31, 2011 Establish motive The truth isn’t what you would expect or what it appears to be There’s a contradiction, an ambiguity, or a puzzle that needs explaining The prevailing opinion needs to be challenged or qualified Several authorities’ published views disagree We can learn more about a larger phenomenon by studying this smaller one A seemingly tangential or insignificant matter is actually important and interesting.
March 31, 2011 How to write Paragraphs IMRaD ABDCE Chronological Cases Topic sentences
March 31, 2011 Sentences What am I trying to say? What words will express it? What image or idiom will make it clearer? Is this image fresh enough to have an effect? Could I put it more shortly? Have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?
March 31, 2011 Words Fantastic Granite Spacious State-of-the-art !! Corian Charming Maple Gourmet Great neighborhood Levitt SD and Dubner SJ Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. New York: William Morrow.
March 31, 2011 The Bible by a Scientist Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Objective considerations of contemporary phenomena compel the conclusion that success or failure in competitive activities exhibits no tendency to be commensurate with innate capacity, but that a considerable element of the unpredictable must invariably be taken into account.
March 31, 2011 GIPSY Test Grabber I argue that… Prove it So what? Yes, but
March 31, 2011 Why don’t you write? Time constraints Imposter syndrome Writer’s block Nothing to share Not a good writer
March 31, 2011 When to Write? Make it regular Set a goal Reward yourself If you’re blocked
March 31, 2011 Overcoming Obstacles Getting started Eliminating distractions Staying motivated Boosting confidence Maintaining momentum
March 31,
Transitions Cues that lead the reader forward: "Here's more on this idea." again, equally important, in addition, above all, furthermore, likewise, similarly, in other words, moreover, next, besides, also, in the same way, just as... so too, additionally, also, and, as well, further, then, beyond that, for one thing Cues that show the reader contrast: "Here's a different idea." however, although this is true, on the contrary, nevertheless, yet, conversely, in contrast, on the other hand, but, instead, in spite of, nonetheless, notwithstanding, still, despite, whereas To introduce an illustration: “Here’s an example.” for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate, as an example, especially, in other words, in particular, that is, in that light To indicate sequence: after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then, after a while, briefly, eventually, formerly, gradually, in a short time, in the future, in the meantime, promptly, soon, suddenly For emphasis: even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly, above all, certainly, especially, in any event, in particular, most importantly, surely Cues that show cause and effect: "Here's the result of that." thus, therefore, as a result, consequently, for that reason, accordingly, hence, so Cues that introduce a summary or conclusion: finally, in a word, in brief, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, in summary, in conclusion, to sum up, therefore, in general, in short
March 31, 2011 Argument Fresh: captures readers’ attention Clear: free of jargon Focused: limits variables Testable: related to evidence Controversial: others might disagree