Managing Writing

1. Managing Writing Dr Casey Wilson 2010/2011

2. Writing Activity What can I write in 5 minutes! Write continuously, non stop, in sentences on the following question: What do you think of the idea of writing 1000 words in an hour? Count the number of words you wrote Dr C Wilson 2009

3. Writing: Getting Going • Establish Writing Goals • Create A Routine • Write From Day One • Writing From Prompts • Free Writing • Think Of Writing As Thinking Dr C Wilson 2009

4. Writing Goals Set yourself some writing goals (Murray) Long term, medium term, short term very short term. Specific and numerate: Today I am going to write 1200 words on “Arthritis & Horses: I am going to write a 200 word introduction, then 500 words on Arthritis followed by 500 words on the effect of Arthritis in Horses” Tiny bits of writing add up to a lot of writing. Break the writing up into small bits

5. Thinking and Planning Planning and regular work habits can help to transform writing into perfectly manageable everyday activities.’ (Delamont et al) Learn to write regularly, in short bursts. Beginning each writing session by writing for no more than five minutes to a simple ‘prompt’, which might go along the lines of: What did I write about last time? What am I going to write about today? Dr C Wilson 2009

6. Activity – Writing to Prompts • Write, now for 10 minutes on one of the following: • What writing have I done and what would I like to do? • Where do my ideas come from? • How does what I read compare with my own views? • What I want to write about next is..?

7. Activity – Making Lists & Clustering Think of an area of your research you would like to write about and try each of the techniques. Move into groups and discuss how the technique worked for you. What other tips and ideas have you that you can share on effective writing.

8. Free writing • What is Free writing? • Writing for 5 minutes • Without stopping • In sentences • Private writing: no external reader • Topic what you want to write about next • No structure needed Dr C Wilson 2009

9. Activity - Freewriting Write for 15 minutes, without stopping on one of the following: All the questions you currently have about your study The question ‘what can I write about now’ Why I have nothing to write about…’ One of the prompts from the earlier activity Dr C Wilson 2009

10. Writing as Thinking While many ‘argue that writing reflects thinking, [it is arguable that] writing is a form of thinking’ (Boyle 2005:304, original emphasis). Clark and Ivanic: You think and write at the same time. Helpful look at writing as ‘a way of pinning thoughts down…so you can go back to [them], refine them, build on them, discard or develop them’. Dr C Wilson 2009

11. Start Writing and Keep Writing from the Word ‘go’ Don’t delay the inevitable Establish A routine of little and often (Murray, 2o02) Use your outline and measure progress Short and simple phrases that are unambiguous Don’t stall on detail, walk away – take A short break! Get formatting correct from the start & be consistent with references Back up daily! Seek help from experts Dr C Wilson 2009

12. Write Daily! You can fix, edit change, reject later on The process of writing helps your thinking Regular writing helps you see how the project is progressing You cannot produce something good in a hurry You cannot make something better that’s not yet been written Think of the task in manageable terms 200 quality words a day 1,400 words a week 5,600 words a month 50,000 in 9 months Dr C Wilson 2009

13. Helpful Techniques Write a letter to yourself, in sentences, outlining the next stage in your thesis Begin by reading and sketching out ideas on scrap paper rather than a clean sheet or a blank computer screen If you can’t write at all, record your thoughts and then transcribe them Talk to a friend about your thoughts, get them to take notes and transcribe Once you have got going again, establish a routine

14. Techniques to Assist the Reader Forecasting Summarising Signalling Signposting Dr C Wilson 2009

15. Writing Think of writing as a form of thinking and aim for a first draft, not perfection Until it is on paper, no-one can help you get it right. You can show your draft [to your tutor/supervisor] who can advise you Drafting is a vital stage in clarifying thought Drafting reveals the places where you need to do further work – which you cannot identify until your ideas are written down The longer you leave it unwritten the worse the problem becomes (Adapted from Delamont et al 1997:121)

16. Writing Mindsets Focus on what you like and the rewards: If I do this I will get my PhD Replace negative discourses with positive ones Think of yourself as a creative and able person Recognise different types of writing and different types of creativity – random/organised private writing, to high level professional writing Find out which kind of time frame and writing space is easiest for you and establish a routine

17. Writing Tips Allow sufficient time for all stages of the writing process Read, think, plan write (1st draft), Revise….Read, think, plan, write (2nd draft)… Draft early – don’t wait until all the results are in or the night Before the document is due Write don’t edit or correct Seek specific and detailed feedback Revise twice, once for content, once for structure and Expression Edit and proof read Dr C Wilson 2009

18. Remember! If you see writing only as an end, it is hard to get there. Re-frame the way you think about it, so that you regard writing as a means to the end !