Thread by @acagamic

I learned 22 academic writing lessons the hard way.

Here they are to celebrate the end of 2022: ↓

But why listen to me?

- Built an online writing course for #chi2023 authors in 2022

- Have taught this writing course for 6+ years at conferences and other venues

- Over 27,000 citations to my research

- Publish 3+ papers every year at high-impact HCI venues

Alright, here we go.

Lesson 1

🔴 Academic writing isn't just about publishing.

🟢 Academic writing is a way to share your knowledge with the world.

Lesson 2

🔴 Only the accuracy and facts of your writing matter.

🟢 The clarity and precision of your writing reflect the depth of your thinking.

Lesson 3

🔴 Never challenge existing facts and conventional wisdom.

🟢 Don't be afraid to challenge conventional wisdom in your writing.

Lesson 4

🔴 Every insight comes from existing literature.

🟢 Every research question is an opportunity for new insights.

Lesson 5

🔴 You have to get your writing right the first time you submit.

🟢 Effective academic writing involves ongoing revision and improvement.

Lesson 6

🔴 The best academic writing is driven by format and impassionate writing style.

🟢 The best academic writing is driven by curiosity and a desire to make a difference.

Lesson 7

🔴 You write for your peers to build on your research.

🟢 Your writing should be accessible to a broad audience.

Lesson 8

🔴 You should use exotic terminology to make yourself sound brilliant.

🟢 Your writing should be clear and concise, not verbose or jargon-filled.

Lesson 9

🔴 Effective academic writing needs time crunch and a deadline.

🟢 Effective academic writing requires discipline and focus.

Lesson 10

🔴 Your writing should shake up existing content structures.

🟢 Your writing should be well-organized and logical, following the IMRD (introduction, methods, results, discussion) structure.

Lesson 11

🔴 You can frame your evidence even with non-credible sources.

🟢 Your writing should be supported by evidence and credible sources.

Lesson 12

🔴 You can water down all of your ideas to the basics.

🟢 The structure of your writing should reflect the complexity of your ideas.

Lesson 13

🔴 You don't need to proofread your manuscript, just get it done and submitted.

🟢 Effective academic writing requires careful proofreading & editing.

Lesson 14

🔴 Your results can just confirm existing research.

🟢 Maybe, but your writing should contribute something new to the conversation.

Lesson 15

🔴 Language does not matter as much as content.

🟢 The language you use in your writing should be appropriate, active, and professional.

Lesson 16

🔴 Great results require hyperbolic writing to state the importance.

🟢 The tone of your writing should be respectful and unbiased.

Lesson 17

🔴 You can always catch your mistakes in the camera-ready version.

🟢 Your writing should be free of errors and mistakes as much as possible for the first submission.

Lesson 18

🔴 You can write using the same style for different disciplines and fields.

🟢 Your writing style should be appropriate for your audience and purpose.

Lesson 19

🔴 Effective academic writing is not creative.

🟢 Effective academic writing requires a balance between formality and creativity.

Lesson 20

🔴 Your writing should just be formal.

🟢 Your writing should be engaging and inspiring.

Lesson 21

🔴 Writing is done alone.

🟢 Writing is a collaborative effort that involves feedback and input from others.

Lesson 22

🔴 Your writing should not have personality.

🟢 Your writing should reflect your passion and dedication to your field.

That's a wrap. Thanks for your time.

If you liked this, give it a RT and follow me @acagamic to learn more about games, UX research, and writing.