@NotionHQ has introduced a new exciting feature, Notion AI, which can help you (1) improve existing content, (2) summarise content or (3) write new content.
Here are 5 ways you can use Notion AI to improve your academic writing:
1. Improve existing content
With text you have already written, you have the option to make some modifications to that section. Here, I've asked Notion AI to make the text longer, which has added some detail and formatted the initial paragraph to enhance it academically.
It is important to note, there are no references here so far. So, I asked Notion AI to provide me with references for this section of text.
It provided me with references, albeit, not formatted correctly.
2. Summarise content
This can help you gain a better understanding of a topic as a first step. I used the prompts 'explain this' and 'summarise' on a 500 word essay about how Scanning Electron Microscopy works.
I like how simple the new text is - makes it easier to read.
3. Write an essay / presentation outline
As a first step, you could use Notion AI to write an essay outline. This can be used as a template and guide for your reading and research. It can also be used as a basis for the structure of a presentation.
Using the pros & cons prompt and I asked for the +/- of a PhD. There's also the option to write out a meeting agenda, brainstorm ideas or a to-do list.
Overall, Notion AI is great for working faster and getting more done, as you're able to spend your time focusing on what is really important.
Many academics already use Notion for note-taking, reminders and planning.
This is simply another way of streamlining.
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My thesis examiners passed my PhD thesis with ZERO corrections. One of their comments was that 'it was extremely well written'.
How? I used to read a lot of papers and take note of their writing style.
Now, hundreds of commonly-used phrases can be found in this phrasebook:
This is the Manchester Academic Phrasebank, created by Dr John Morley.
It is an absolutely fantastic free resource that every academic (English native/non-native) should utilise whilst reporting on research.
You can select both the section of the report (introduction, methods, results, conclusion) and exactly what you want to convey (comparing, defining, describing, being critical etc.)
Hi 👋🏽 I am the founder of The Page Doctor, where we connect students-in-need to PhD researchers to help with reaching academic goals @ThePageDr
We are a team of PhD researchers and PostDocs from British universities, with decades of experience. We offer tailored support through mentorships, proofreading, feedback, scaffolded resources, online courses, eBooks and so much more.
In the last two years, we've helped thousands of students graduate by simplifying what excellent academic work looks like.
Humata is an AI research assistant where you can ask a question about any file and automatically get the answer.
I gave it go with my Nature Cell Biology publication:
First, I asked it for the main results of the paper.
It pretty much summarised the abstract and some of the results in a more digestible way. So far, so good.
Then I asked it to identify the gap in literature and research question.
Whilst the gap in literature was accurate, the RQ was simply a re-write of the literature gap. The research question is most definitely more complex and detailed than that which was pulled out by Humata.