Resources for Academic Writers
"Academic language... is no on'es mother tongue."
(Pierre Bourdieu and Jean-Claude Passeron - Academic Discourse: Linguistic Misunderstanding and Professorial Power).
Let's face it, academic writing is TOUGH.If a critically successful French sociologist thought academic writing was opaque and, at times, ridiculous, then it's okay for you to think that too! Here are some resources that can help you navigate the landscape, treacherous though it may be.
(Pierre Bourdieu and Jean-Claude Passeron - Academic Discourse: Linguistic Misunderstanding and Professorial Power).
Let's face it, academic writing is TOUGH.If a critically successful French sociologist thought academic writing was opaque and, at times, ridiculous, then it's okay for you to think that too! Here are some resources that can help you navigate the landscape, treacherous though it may be.
Examples of Problematic Writing (and How to Fix Them!)
I have read hundreds of undergraduate student papers. This handout reviews the most common writing mistakes I have seen, offers tips on how to avoid these mistakes, and provides examples for "bad," "better," and "best" writing.
What is a Thesis Statement?
This handout reviews that age-old phrase in American college writing: thesis statements. I presented this information to new sociology majors, but it is useful for any person trying to write an argument-based paper in academic English.
This handout reviews that age-old phrase in American college writing: thesis statements. I presented this information to new sociology majors, but it is useful for any person trying to write an argument-based paper in academic English.
Research Papers: A Step-by-Step Guide
Research papers don't have to be scary. This handout offers suggestions for how to plan, pre-write, and write a high-quality research paper.
A Practical Guide for Writing in Sociology
This presentation offers a quick, no-nonsense guide for early graduate students in sociology. Realistically, similar principles are the foundation for all strong social science writing. The presentation reviews the basics of a strong argument, strong question, and strong critique, as well as reviews common writing challenges embedded in sociological epistemology.
This presentation offers a quick, no-nonsense guide for early graduate students in sociology. Realistically, similar principles are the foundation for all strong social science writing. The presentation reviews the basics of a strong argument, strong question, and strong critique, as well as reviews common writing challenges embedded in sociological epistemology.
The Literature Review Funnel
This one-page handout reviews a tool for thinking about and structuring a literature review for an academic research paper. Literature reviews should go beyond the "laundry list" and, instead, lead the reader to a particular point. I presented this information along with a live-read demonstration using a well-cited journal article by Rhacel Salazar Parrenas.
This one-page handout reviews a tool for thinking about and structuring a literature review for an academic research paper. Literature reviews should go beyond the "laundry list" and, instead, lead the reader to a particular point. I presented this information along with a live-read demonstration using a well-cited journal article by Rhacel Salazar Parrenas.
Weekly Writing Goal Planning Sheet
This is a weekly planning sheet aimed to help you identify and work towards a specific writing goal every week. It also has prompts for you to reflect and make adjustments for the week ahead.
This is a weekly planning sheet aimed to help you identify and work towards a specific writing goal every week. It also has prompts for you to reflect and make adjustments for the week ahead.
