ERICA BENDER
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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. 

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.

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. 
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. 
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.
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  • About
  • Blog
  • Academic
  • Writing