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Thesis Writing 101
I have edited 100,000+ words and tens of theses in science and history (more than I can keep track of!) over the last ten years.
Here are 17 insights from my experience that can help you improve the quality of your #AcademicWriting 🧵
I have edited 100,000+ words and tens of theses in science and history (more than I can keep track of!) over the last ten years.
Here are 17 insights from my experience that can help you improve the quality of your #AcademicWriting 🧵
1. Read aloud: Reading aloud helps to catch errors that were overlooked during silent reading. Find the 'Read Aloud' feature on MS Word under 'Review.'
2. Bring coherency: Make sure that each paragraph flows logically so that the overall #thesis structure is well-organized.
2. Bring coherency: Make sure that each paragraph flows logically so that the overall #thesis structure is well-organized.
3. Improve formatting: Format your #thesis according to your university's guidelines. Adjust the font type, size, header, and footer.
4. Use citation management tools: Using these tools (Mendeley, EndNote, etc.) can help you save time & avoid errors in writing your bibliography.
4. Use citation management tools: Using these tools (Mendeley, EndNote, etc.) can help you save time & avoid errors in writing your bibliography.
Avert Rejection by avoiding these common errors in your PERSONAL STATEMENT!
#studyabroad
#internationalstudents
#Scholarships
A Thread!
#studyabroad
#internationalstudents
#Scholarships
A Thread!
For students or professionals seeking to advance their study abroad, your personal statement is an important factor in getting an unconditional offer. It can make or mar your chances.
To avert rejections and land that admission, avoid these common errors.
#Travel #ASUU
To avert rejections and land that admission, avoid these common errors.
#Travel #ASUU
1. NEVER WRITE YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT WITHOUT A PLAN_____
Having a good plan allows you to structure your letter and pick out the points that are applied to your application such as background, achievements, academic background, motivation, etc
#academictwitter #ASUUstrike
Having a good plan allows you to structure your letter and pick out the points that are applied to your application such as background, achievements, academic background, motivation, etc
#academictwitter #ASUUstrike
A publishing contract I’m reviewing comes with a helpful ms style guide, which I think is genius. An author recently had a horrible experience with the publisher-hired copy editor who didn’t even know these basic terms. Highlights 👇
✔️Do not hyphenate Asian American, African American, Indian American.
✔️ When possible, specify the Native American tribe instead of using just Native American or Indigenous.
✔️ When possible, specify the Native American tribe instead of using just Native American or Indigenous.
✔️Capitalize Black when referring to people of the African diaspora; Lowercase brown and white because they do not refer to a shared race, ethnicity, or culture.
✔️For unspecified singular pronouns, they/their/them is preferred over he/she.
✔️For unspecified singular pronouns, they/their/them is preferred over he/she.
A few weeks ago I was asked to expand on 'telling' emotions in prose, vs 'showing' emotion through Deep POV. Buckle up, buttercups. This could be a long thread #writingtip #writingtips #writingcommunity (1.
Telling emotion in prose: He was angry
Showing emotion in prose: An angry flush stained his cheeks and he balled his fists.
In the 2nd example, we name the emotion, but also show the reader what it looks like. This is one way to show vs tell when it comes to emotion (2.
Showing emotion in prose: An angry flush stained his cheeks and he balled his fists.
In the 2nd example, we name the emotion, but also show the reader what it looks like. This is one way to show vs tell when it comes to emotion (2.
Telling emotion in prose: He was angry
Showing emotion in prose: He flexed his hands, balling them into fists as a crimson flush stormed up his neck.
In the 2nd example, we use angry/ready-for-battle language (stormed) instead of naming the emotion, but understand he's angry (3.
Showing emotion in prose: He flexed his hands, balling them into fists as a crimson flush stormed up his neck.
In the 2nd example, we use angry/ready-for-battle language (stormed) instead of naming the emotion, but understand he's angry (3.
1/ Writing tip: Let the robot voice help you.
Most writing software programs have a text-to-speech (TTS) feature. Use that for one of your story edits. You'll catch awkward transitions, irregular pacing, odd word choices, and even some grammatical mistakes you've missed.
Most writing software programs have a text-to-speech (TTS) feature. Use that for one of your story edits. You'll catch awkward transitions, irregular pacing, odd word choices, and even some grammatical mistakes you've missed.
2/ In MS Word, it's called Read Allowed. Mac has it in system preferences. Go to accessibility to enable it. If your program doesn't have TTS, yWriter is a free download. You can read your document aloud, too, of course. I'd recommend recording it and then listening to that.
3/ You'll uncover contrived dialogue and improper pacing. However, if you're reading your own work, in my experience, you'll gloss right over some grammatical errors, especially if you've been looking at the same doc for weeks or months. Robot voice won't miss those errors.
1/ I love Anne Rice's advice: go where the pain is. In her words: “Writers write about what obsesses them. I lost my mother when I was 14. My daughter died at the age of 6. I lost my faith as a Catholic. When I'm writing, the darkness is always there. I go where the pain is.”
2/ I know a lot of writers tap into their own pain, fear, and anxiety when they write. It's often their own therapy. The nuggets and gems they draw from that often end up in their characters and story arc.
If those things are taking up space in your head, you may as well explore them and use them. Make them pay rent. It fits with Ray Bradbury's advice: When you write, don’t think. You must feel. Do your thinking elsewhere.
#writingtip #writingcommunity
& crisistextline.org
#writingtip #writingcommunity
& crisistextline.org
1/ Writing tip from real brain science. Your brain releases wild amounts of dopamine during the anticipation of something, more than when the actual something occurs. That's why the build-up to Christmas and the unwrapping of gifts is often more satisfying than the actual gifts.
2/ How's that translate to fiction? Hitchcock was on to this long ago: “There is no terror in the bang,” he said, “only in the anticipation of it.” So, don't surprise the reader with the bomb exploding. You'll get some shock value, but you'll lose the dopamine effect.
3/ Let your reader/audience SEE the bomb under the table before it explodes. Let the dopamine run wild. Make them terrified to turn the page. Make them put your book down! They'll love you for it.
#writingtip #writingcommunity
#writingtip #writingcommunity
#Writers! There's no #writingtip, blog post, book, or class that will save you from having to work hard. Those are all tools.
They're your boots, your backpack, and your bottle of water. They aid you on your journey, but you're still the one who has to do the walking.
(1/4)
They're your boots, your backpack, and your bottle of water. They aid you on your journey, but you're still the one who has to do the walking.
(1/4)
And it can be a lonely road. So find a community to share your troubles with. Lots of people have walked the road before you, and many will be happy to guide you.
Many #writers wander into the craft with an idealistic mindset. I know I did. I thought it would be easy.
(2/4)
Many #writers wander into the craft with an idealistic mindset. I know I did. I thought it would be easy.
(2/4)
It's not easy. It takes hard work and and lots of failure. It takes being knocked down and getting back up. It takes time.
But think about it. If it were quick and easy, what would be the point?
The value lies in the challenge.
(3/4)
But think about it. If it were quick and easy, what would be the point?
The value lies in the challenge.
(3/4)
