1. Writing for Publication: OT6026 Occupational Therapy Project 3 Íde O’Sullivan Regional Writing Centre

2. 2 Reflection Why write for publication? Implications of publishing/not publishing? Misconceptions about writing and publication Common problems among new writers New writers’ worries/fears Difficulties associated with writing

3. Regional Writing Centre3 Difficulties associated with writing Anxiety and fear of writing Lack of confidence and motivation Cracking the codes of academic writing Getting started Lack of guidance, practice and feedback Misconceptions of writing –Good writing skills are innate X –Think first, then write X The writing process is recursive

4. Regional Writing Centre4 The process Decide on the writing project Choose a target journal Get information about the journal –Mission/vision of the journal –Identify categories of submission –Identify key subject areas Analyse the journal Select a sample paper from the target journal Follow the guidelines for authors

5. Regional Writing Centre5 The journal “The British Journal of Occupational Therapy (BJOT) is the official journal of the College of Occupational Therapists. Its purpose is to publish contributions of papers relevant to theory, practice, research, education and management in occupational therapy.” “Vision: A monthly journal presenting high quality international research and practice related papers that informs the knowledge and evidence base of occupational therapy and is easily accessible through online searches.” British Journal of Occupational Therapy, February 2008, 71(2): 77

6. Regional Writing Centre6 Types of publications Scholarly Papers Short Reports Research Articles/Papers Practice Analysis/Evaluations Critical Reviews Case Histories/Reviews Opinion Pieces Editorials Letters to Editor Book Reviews Guest Editorials

7. Regional Writing Centre7 Key areas 1.Clinical (a) Assessment (b) Adult Physical (c) Adult Psychosocial (d) Learning Disability (e) Elderly (f) Paediatrics 2.Equipment and Technology 3.Education 4.Professional Development 5.Theory and Philosophy 6.Management 7.Research Methods and Methodology

8. Regional Writing Centre8 Analysing the journal Cracking the codes Analysing the genre/text and modelling Generate a list of the important criteria which will make your writing more effective Ask yourself the following questions: –How is the paper structured? –How is the contribution articulated? –What level of context is provided? –What level of detail is used? –How long are the different sections?

9. Regional Writing Centre9 Analysing the journal What organisational features/patterns are in evidence? How are arguments and counterarguments presented and structured? What types of evidence are important? What stylistic features are prominent? Is the text cohesive? How does the author achieve such cohesion? What kind(s) of persuasive devises does the author employ? Voice?

10. Regional Writing Centre10 Guidelines for authors Categories of submission Preparation of the manuscript –Copyright –Ethics –Layout –Presentation Submission of the manuscript The review process –Editorial process –Editorial decisions

11. Regional Writing Centre11 Key considerations The Occasion The Topic Your Purpose Audience You – the writer NB: Joining the conversation

12. Regional Writing Centre12 The manuscript Abstract Introduction Literature review Method Results/Findings Discussion Conclusions

13. Regional Writing Centre13 Reasons for rejecting manuscripts: Brown, Rodger and Brown (2005:88) Methodology or research design problems Poorly developed idea Poorly written Data interpretation problems Literature review not relevant/comprehensive/up to date Content undocumented Statistical problems Term-paper type article Issues of validity, reliability and trustworthiness not addressed

14. Regional Writing Centre14 Reasons for rejecting manuscripts: Brown, Rodger and Brown (2005:88) Poorly referenced Content not important/significant Discussion not based on results/findings Content inaccurate Content not consistent with journal purpose Implications of findings and results on practice not included Submission format guidelines not followed Manuscript too lengthy Key terms and concepts not clearly defined

15. Regional Writing Centre15 Reasons for rejecting manuscripts: Brown, Rodger and Brown (2005:88) Aim/purpose of paper not clearly stated Limitations of research study not included/acknowledged Content not current or timely Clinically not applicable Too technical Manuscript submitted concurrently to another journal Subject/topic covered recently Content already scheduled for future

16. Regional Writing Centre16 Overview: Reasons for rejecting Poor writing skills Poor research skills Failure to consider the journal’s audience Failure to follow the journal’s guidelines Before you start establish familiarity with –The journal –The audience –The submission guidelines

17. Strategies to Develop Writing

18. Regional Writing Centre18 Getting started Writing is a process Create time and space for writing Freewriting –Keep writing non-stop for 5 minutes –Write in sentences –Do not edit or censor your writing Prompt –“How I go about writing…” How do you feel? Other prompts: –“The aim of this research paper…”

19. Regional Writing Centre19 Dialogue about writing Peer-review Generative writing The “writing sandwich” (Murray, 2005:85): writing, talking, writing Writing “buddies” (Murray and Moore, 2006:102) Writers’ groups Engaging in critiques of one another’s work allows you to become effective critics of your own work.

20. Regional Writing Centre20 Strategies that work for you Writing is a personal process Learning diary (Moore and Murphy, 2005:61) / Process journal (Elbow and Belanoff, 2003:19) –When do you feel most/least motivated to write? –What strategies have/have not worked in the past? Write a little bit every day (Moore and Murphy, 2005:117) Writing can be a positive experience Get stuck in

21. Regional Writing Centre21 Works cited Brown, T.G., Rodger, S. and Brown, A. (2005) ‘Publication Practices of English Language Occupational Therapy Journals’, British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(2): 85-92. Elbow, P. (1998) Writing without Teachers (2nd edition). New York: Oxford University Press. Elbow, P. and Belanoff, P. (2003) Being a Writer: A Community of Writers Revisited. New York: McGraw-Hill. Moore, S. and Murphy, M. (2005) How to be a Student: 100 Great Ideas and Practical Hints for Students Everywhere. UK: Open University Press. Murray, R. (2005) Writing for Academic Journals. UK: Open University Press. Murray, R. (2006) How to Write a Thesis (2nd edition). UK: Open University Press. Murray, R. and Moore, S. (2006) The Handbook of Academic Writing: A Fresh Approach. UK: Open University Press.