Thesis Writing Process

1. Thesis Writing Process For Postgraduate Students Dr. Tamara O’Connor Student Learning Development Trinity College Dublin toconnor@tcd.ie

2. Learning Objectives • Learn about the writing process – starting & maintaining writing • Identify self-management strategies to aid process • Consider the structure of a thesis • Share strategies & experiences

3. R. Murray’s Model (2002) Social • Interactions, discussion • Support Psychological • Motivation, goal setting, self-monitoring Rhetorical = Writing • Regular writing • “Snack” writing + “binge” writing

4. Core Strategies • Goal Setting • Writing Strategies – Getting started • Creating Structure

5. Goal Setting & Planning • Desires & Wants v.s. Goals & Tasks • SMART • Planning Tools • Timeline/Overview • Weekly

6. SMART Goal Setting • S = Specific • M = Measurable • A = Action • R = Realistic • T = Time-based

7. Writing Timetable • Deadlines • Hard deadlines • Soft deadlines • Your thoughts and experiences?

8. Writing Strategies • Book/journal • Write to prompts • Freewriting • Generative writing • Writing Sandwich • Practicalities

9. Writing to prompts • 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… • What do I want to write about next?

10. Freewriting • Writing for 5 minutes • Without stopping • In sentences • Private – no external reader • No structure needed • Topic related to your research • Like brainstorming in sentences

11. Generative writing • Writing for 5 minutes • Without stopping • In sentences • Focusing on one topic (maybe from your freewriting • To be read by someone else

12. Writing Sandwich • Writing – 10 minutes • Talking – 10 minutes • Writing – 10 minutes

13. Practicalities • Writing kit • Backup • Style manual • Acquire reference system or software • Research & writing diary

14. Structure / Outline • Start with a 300-500 word summary • Generic thesis structure • Allocate word count for each section • Design sub-sections • Write in layers

15. Writing in layers • Write a list of chapter headings • Write a sentence or two on contents of each chapter • Write lists of headings for each section in each chapter • Make notes for each heading on how you will develop the section • Write an introductory paragraph for each chapter • Write the word count, draft number and date at top of first page

16. Brown’s 8 Questions - Abstract • Who are the intended readers? List 3-5 names • What did you do? (50 words) • Why did you do it? (50 words) • What happened? (50 words) • What do the results mean in theory? (50 words) • What do the results mean in practice? (50 words) • What is the key benefit for readers? (50 words) • What remains unresolved? (no word limit)

17. Overcoming blocks? • Freewriting & Generative writing • Writing with supervisor • Mind-mapping • Verbal rehearsal • Write down all you know about ‘X’ • Write down all your ideas on ‘X’ • Visualise completed thesis • Combine strategies

18. Tips for successful writing • Plan to write regularly • Make a time plan and stick to it • Write up section as soon as it’s ready • Stop writing at a point where you could go on – makes it easier to start next time! • Decide where and when best for you • Don’t write when exhausted • Seek support