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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Establishing Good Research Habits
Document as you go
Keep a research notebook/journal
Archive your data
Learn to use available tools
RefWorks:

6. 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:

7. Conducting Your Literature Search
Document your search from the very beginning
Use available tools and resources
RefWorks:
Jab Ref

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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?

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. Engineering Styles What style should you use?
Check the University Libraries website to find style guides for your discipline:
Check publications in your discipline and follow their format
Ask your professor or advisor
Ask the University Librarian

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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)

23. Help with Writing Skills
EGR 3350/5350: Technical Communications for Engineering and Computer Scientists
University Writing Center
Online resources
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center:
Rensellaer Center for Communication Practices:
Purdue Writing Center
Grammar Girl

24. Questions?