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I interrupt your shelter-in-place to announce something I tell all my students that surprises them and shocks most people who ask me for advice.
Ready?
Here we go.
Want to get better at reading?
READ.
Want to improve your writing?
WRITE.
Want to improve how you do ...
Ready?
Here we go.
Want to get better at reading?
READ.
Want to improve your writing?
WRITE.
Want to improve how you do ...
... Literature Reviews?
DO THEM.
Want to improve your interviewing skills?
ASK QUESTIONS ALL THE TIME.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing you can improve that you won’t need to practice.
That’s it. That’s the advice.
As you were.
DO THEM.
Want to improve your interviewing skills?
ASK QUESTIONS ALL THE TIME.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing you can improve that you won’t need to practice.
That’s it. That’s the advice.
As you were.
Additional tip: want to improve your written prose?
READ.
A LOT.
THEN...
*** WRITE A LOT ***
And now that I have your attention: wash your hands for 20 seconds, don’t go out unless absolutely critical, help those who are most vulnerable right now. Stay safe.
READ.
A LOT.
THEN...
*** WRITE A LOT ***
And now that I have your attention: wash your hands for 20 seconds, don’t go out unless absolutely critical, help those who are most vulnerable right now. Stay safe.
Additional tip: read people whose writing soothes you. Calms you. Reassures you.
A few examples: in academic writing, @WendyLBelcher @rachaelcayley @wmgermano @biblioracle @jolijensen @thomsonpat @thesiswhisperer all write in a way that makes me think: “I CAN WRITE THIS”
A few examples: in academic writing, @WendyLBelcher @rachaelcayley @wmgermano @biblioracle @jolijensen @thomsonpat @thesiswhisperer all write in a way that makes me think: “I CAN WRITE THIS”
Additional tip: when you write, write in such a way that you believe your prose could withstand scrutiny from people who care about you.
A few examples from the water & waste field: @AWutich @ProfessorJepson @meehanmonster @Prof_FSultana @STRomanoPhD @MaxLiboiron @rubbishmaker
A few examples from the water & waste field: @AWutich @ProfessorJepson @meehanmonster @Prof_FSultana @STRomanoPhD @MaxLiboiron @rubbishmaker
This last point is key: your writing needs to be forceful enough, authoritative enough to convince your reader, and solid enough in argument and evidence that it can withstand scrutiny.
Search for scrutiny in people who, when reading your work, will critique it with care/love.
Search for scrutiny in people who, when reading your work, will critique it with care/love.
I am lucky to have many scholars who are also my dear friends, and who when reading my work provide feedback with care, gently but also a firm hand.
That’s what others call “your squad”. Your “raft of b!tches”. Your posse. People who have your back unconditionally.
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That’s what others call “your squad”. Your “raft of b!tches”. Your posse. People who have your back unconditionally.
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Additional tip (sorry): don’t worry about the entire thesis, your full book, your chapter or article.
Think about your next sentence.
Then your next paragraph.
Then your next page.
Start small. Write ONE sentence.
The rest will flow when it flows.
Think about your next sentence.
Then your next paragraph.
Then your next page.
Start small. Write ONE sentence.
The rest will flow when it flows.
