10 steps becoming an academic writer
Download as PPT, PDF•2 likes•312 views
This document outlines 10 steps to becoming a successful academic writer. The steps include: preparing to research by organizing notes; understanding the assignment requirements; creating an action plan; conducting targeted research; stopping to review findings; outlining the paper; drafting; revising; proofreading; and reviewing feedback to improve future work. The goal is to provide a structured process for students to effectively research, write, and refine their academic assignments.
10 steps becoming an academic writer
- 1. Becoming an academic writer 10 steps to assignment success
- 2. Step One Prepare to research Open a research folder – old envelope, file, smart new briefcase… Be prepared to put notes from lectures, seminars & reading in folder
- 3. What is being asked? Know the format: Write out the whole question Essay Underline all the key Report words. Presentation Look at the asking words – describe, Seminar? analyse, evaluate, discuss If in doubt – ask your Any other key words? tutor Like “using examples” or “illustrate with…”
- 4. Then: Analyse the question – all of it Have the overview – and fit the task to the learning outcomes these will be in the module booklet or available from module line via the university web site Be creative – use creative brainstorming and notemaking strategies Don’t know how? Go to a Learning Development Unit workshop and find out - also http:learning.unl.ac.uk/bssmquickstart
- 5. Action Plan Tip: research one word from the Why? question at a time Where? When? What?
- 6. Step Two Follow the action plan –undertake targeted research and active reading Make pattern notes Write on one side of the paper only Build paragraph patterns Put notes in folder – write bibliography on the outside
- 7. Tip: index cards Index cards are useful – and will save time writing up a bibliography at the end Author Date Title Publisher Place of publication A few key points
- 8. Step Three – stop! Stop reading Review your findings Re–read the question What gaps are there is your research?
- 9. Step Four Plan the outline of essay, report, presentation, whatever……. Use a study skills book to give you some ideas or collect a hand out from the Learning Development Unit Or self register on webCT for the online Writing and Communication workshop See the IT helpdesk if you need assistance to create a webCT account
- 10. Step Five Prepare the first draft…. A rough draft has gaps and mistakes Leave gaps – do not search for the right word – do not check spelling, tenses, (not this time)
- 11. Step Six Leave a time lag: the brain will work to close the gaps… How about a night out? Your action plan should leave you some time to enjoy yourself…..
- 12. Step Seven Review Revise Edit Struggle to write! Settle on a final draft
- 13. Step Eight Get a friend, Proof read colleague, Look for one type of to read over mistake at a time your work, or read it Think SPAG from back to front, Spelling bottom to top Punctuation to spot errors And Grammar
- 14. Step Nine Finished! Take a copy AND keep a copy Hand work in or before the deadline Check you have correctly completed the coursework documentation (module code, tutors name) Leave time to queue at the assessment unit and get a receipt
- 15. Step TEN and most important! Review your progress Tutor feedback – read it, review it, plan what you will do with it! SWOT – then see a learning development tutor! Ask if you can swap and read other peoples work
- 16. Useful web sites http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/college-of-london/ldu/north- http://learning.unl.ac.uk/bssmquickstart WebCT: Writing & communicating at university WebCT: Write to learn