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Introduction to Research Writing

Introduction to Research Writing. Alysoun Taylor-Hall October 23, 2013. Introduction to Research Writing. Entering the conversation Conducting your literature review Establishing good research habits & tools Getting ready to write Writing: Introduction Abstract Body Conclusion

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Introduction to Research Writing

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  1. Introduction to Research Writing Alysoun Taylor-Hall October 23, 2013

  2. Introduction to Research Writing • Entering the conversation • Conducting your literature review • Establishing good research habits & tools • Getting ready to write • Writing: • Introduction • Abstract • Body • Conclusion • Finishing your document • General writing tips • Resources

  3. About Me • BA in English w/Concentration in Professional Writing • Certificate in Technical Writing • MBA • Program Coordinator for Ph.D. in Engineering Program • Technical Writer/Editor for CEPRO research group • Adjunct Instructor for EGR 3350: Technical Communication for Engineers and Computer Scientists

  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 LaTeX: http://www.cs.wright.edu/~jslater/classes/Thesis-Dissertation.html Be sure to check out Dr. Slater’s “archiving data” link RefWorks: http://www.libraries.wright.edu/writing_help/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: phil.flynn@wright.edu 775-2533

  7. Conducting Your Literature Search • Document your search from the very beginning • Use available tools and resources RefWorks: http://www.libraries.wright.edu/quicklinks/refworks/ Jab Ref http://jabref.sourceforge.net/

  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 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?

  11. Writing 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

  12. 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 to some extent • Point readers to where they need to go within the document

  13. 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

  14. Finishing Your Document • Allow plenty of time for revision and finishing • Edit your document thoroughly • Use spell-check and grammar tools http://www.cs.wright.edu/~jslater/classes/Thesis-Dissertation.html

  15. 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

  16. Engineering Styles What style should you use? • Check the University Libraries website to find style guides for your discipline: http://guides.libraries.wright.edu/content.php?pid=59883&sid=0 • Check publications in your discipline and follow their format • Ask your professor or advisor • Ask the University Librarian

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. General Writing Tips Use active voice: Subject Verb Object not Object Verb (implied Subject) I will take out the trash not The trash will be taken out Active voice is far less tiring than passive voice

  21. 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)

  22. Help with Writing Skills Help with writing • EGR 3350/5350: Technical Communications for Engineering and Computer Scientists • University Writing Center http://www.wright.edu/uc/success/services/writing-center.html • Online resources • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/ • Rensellaer Center for Communication Practices: http://www.ccp.rpi.edu/resources/ • Purdue Writing Center http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

  23. Questions?

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