I've decided, or rather I've known for some time now, that I'm a big fan of getting to the point in my writing. One of the consequences of this is my tendency to say things, quite simply, in terms of the question I'm answering. For example, if I must (and I must) always ask myself "What is at stake in my project?" then I see nothing wrong with writing, "At stake in this paper is x, y, and z." To me, this seems clear and concise. So why does it feel amatuerish when I actually type these words?
What say you? Are you a fan of a writer telling you exactly what the argument will be? What the "so what" factors are? If not a fan, why?
Showing posts with label writing styles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing styles. Show all posts
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
How Do You Write a Dissertation?
How do you write a disseration? Seriously. How is it done, step-by-step? I realize that there a just as many possible answers as there are people, and that everybody "has their own style," but this is not helpful to me. I read an article or book and find myself chomping at the bit to start putting something down on paper, but my committee keeps referring to a period in the future when "you're ready to write." Why can't I write now?
Are notes to be taken in the margins of books and articles? On loose-leaf notebook paper? On the pc only? I thought I'd be more prepared for this project having gone through the M.A. thesis process, but this is so much bigger. I simply want to find the most efficient way to do the work.
I'm afraid that if I spend the first year doing nothing but research, I'll forget some of the really important things that I want to say in my writing. Or worse, just forget some really important things. But, it seems like writing while researching could get a bit schizophrenic, with papers and notes left in a variety of places. Sections of chapters left unfinished. Sources that get dropped and forgotten after they're used.
As an organized, label-maker-loving, left-brained, rule follower, I just want someone to write down the rules please! Is this too much to ask? I don't know what "my style" is for dissertation writing because I've never done this before. And this type of project can't simply be compared to a reseach paper or thesis. I feel like there must be a more organized way of approaching both the research and the writing of a dissertation than simply "diving in." Any ideas?
Are notes to be taken in the margins of books and articles? On loose-leaf notebook paper? On the pc only? I thought I'd be more prepared for this project having gone through the M.A. thesis process, but this is so much bigger. I simply want to find the most efficient way to do the work.
I'm afraid that if I spend the first year doing nothing but research, I'll forget some of the really important things that I want to say in my writing. Or worse, just forget some really important things. But, it seems like writing while researching could get a bit schizophrenic, with papers and notes left in a variety of places. Sections of chapters left unfinished. Sources that get dropped and forgotten after they're used.
As an organized, label-maker-loving, left-brained, rule follower, I just want someone to write down the rules please! Is this too much to ask? I don't know what "my style" is for dissertation writing because I've never done this before. And this type of project can't simply be compared to a reseach paper or thesis. I feel like there must be a more organized way of approaching both the research and the writing of a dissertation than simply "diving in." Any ideas?
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