The Challenge of Writing-Up

1
The Challenge of Writing-Up

• How will I ever manage to put this together on
  paper?

2
The writing challenge

• Research write-ups are often a relatively
  unpractised form of writing that can challenge
  and intimidate students
• Once considered an activity that commenced once
  research was complete, it is now commonly
  recommended as a practice that should be
  incorporated throughout the research process

3
Writing as analysis

• Writing itself can be a form of analysis and can
  be central to the construction and interpretation
  of meaning
• It can also be instrumental in the development of
  significant, relevant, logical, and coherent
  storylines

4
Writing as conversation

• The goal of your write-up is to share your
  research with others
• Think of your write-up as a communication process
  or a conversation that demands consideration of
  your readers

5
The standard structure

• Your write-up can follow a standard structure
  that generally includes
• an introduction
• literature review
• methods
• findings
• conclusion

6
Alternate structures

• Your write-up can also follow an alternate
  structure that may better suit a particular
  projects aims and objectives
• While alternate structures can allow for more
  creative expression, the standard format gives
  readers what they tend to expect

7
Crafting the Story

• Your research write-up should unfold as an
  interesting story
• As the author of that story you need to
• become familiar with the craft
• find a voice
• create a storyline
• make convincing arguments
• and get down to the business of writing

8
Preparing for Submission

• Preparing your document for submission involves
• getting appropriate feedback
• and being prepared to draft and redraft your
  document

9
Seeking Feedback

• Incorporation of relevant feedback requires both
  specific and appropriate request and a
  willingness to, if not welcome, at least accept
  criticality

10
Drafting and redrafting

• Moving from first to final draft is a multistage
  process that sees you working systematically
  through the development of
• logic and argument
• coherence and consistency
• fluency and readability
• and finally, copy editing

11
Dissemination

• The ultimate goal of any research project is to
  add to a body of knowledge
• Once your project is complete, its worth
  thinking about broader dissemination