Resources for Academic Writers
Writing is often a messy process of thinking, discovery, articulation, clarification, and declaration. There is a common misconception that writing is a talent - it's not. Writing is a practice. Here are some resources that can help you succeed with academic writing.
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.
