how to write academically

r/

For years, I have absolutely hated writing and researching. However, I do realize that I need to change that since writing is such a crucial skill that should be developed throughout school. Knowing that, do any of you have tips on how to write and research well? Every time I have to write or research something I automatically go into a spiral but I really do want to change that.

Comments

  1. DropEng Avatar

    Not sure if this helps, but this is a guide we use with our students while they are learning about writing research papers: https://dspace.sunyconnect.suny.edu/items/7d2b0927-df52-43d9-bbd7-529ec9c4f501

  2. SuperbImprovement588 Avatar

    For writing: 1) Read good writers, both in your field and in literature 2) Practice 3) Rewrite many times.

  3. genobobeno_va Avatar

    Read a lot more…. Then the only way out is through. Strap yourself to the chair and grind. There is no “writing well” until you’ve first written poorly. Reading more helps you to know what sounds poor.

  4. ShakespeherianRag Avatar

    The Craft of Research is an indispensable guide. Seriously, I thought I was a pretty good writer already, and then someone made me read it – totally overhauled how I think.

  5. FallibleHopeful9123 Avatar

    Academic Writing for Graduate Students, 3rd edition. John Swales and Christine Feak. It’s a skeleton key.

  6. JHT230 Avatar

    Practice and read more. Get feedback from senior group members and maybe your PI (depends on how helpful and/or busy they are, but if they want reports and eventually drafts of papers you can ask for more feedback on those).

    I find that writing styles vary considerably between fields and even subfields that most books really aren’t helpful, unless they are very specific to what field your work is in.