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Eric Walkingshaw edited this page Oct 15, 2019 · 4 revisions

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Writing Workshop Ideas

  • Track things you're working to improve.

    • Maintain a list of 2-3 things you're trying to improve, apply these in your weekly writing.

  • For live editing, break paragraph into lines and write new lines below old lines so we can keep track of the before and after.

Collected Writing Tips

Paragraph structure

Use topic sentences to help clarify the goal of each paragraph.

Here's a good general paragraph structure (of course, this is something it's very common to deviate from, but it's a good default):

  • Start: A topic sentence that states a claim (that advances the overall argument of the section).

  • Loop 1-2 (maybe 3) times:

    • A sentence that supports that claim by providing some form of evidence/argument/supporting definition/clarification/etc.

    • 1-2 more sentences that discuss, refine, or provide examples of the evidence.

  • (Optional, but useful when it fits) End: A conclusion sentence that either restates the original claim in the context of the provided evidence and/or supports the transition to the next paragraph.

Paper drafting technique

  1. Create an "ideal" abstract (we will talk about abstract structure later) that describes the problem, the solution, and the work you "did" to solve it. The reason "did" is in quotes is because you probably haven't done this work yet! The earlier you write this abstract the better since it helps to focus the work on making the abstract come true.

  2. Create a "skeleton" of section headers.

  3. For each section, write the topic sentence for every paragraph you plan to write. You can collect evidence that you know of already as bullets under these topic sentences, but the focus is on listing out the topic sentences. The goal here is to make the central argument/narrative of each section clear. This is a good time to ask for feedback.

  4. Fill in the paragraphs with evidence and discussion.

Motivating examples

Properties of a good motivating example:

  • Comes early.
    • Makes the discussion concrete as soon as possible.
    • Can be as early as first paragraph! SPJ does this often. Section 2 at the latest.
  • Convincing.
    • Help the reader to see the problem and to believe that it's a real problem.
  • Short.
    • Just as much as is needed to be convincing, and no more!
    • Important to be able to digest it and move on quickly.
  • Is ultimately solved/resolved.
    • Show off your solution. This may happen early as a sneak peak, or later if more build-up is needed.
    • Complete the arc of the narrative. Satisfying for the reader.

In the narrative arc of the whole paper, the motivating example is a concrete "impetus to action". Can give an abstract impetus, but concrete is better ("show don't tell").

Using Semicolons

  1. Separating two clauses that could stand alone as independent sentences, but that you want to combine into one sentence for some reason.

    Oregonians call them "filberts"; everyone else calls them "hazelnuts".

    It compiled so it probably works; there's no need to test it.

  2. Separating elements in a list where one or more of the list elements contain commas.

    The Fellowship consisted of Gandalf the Grey; Legolas, Prince of the Woodland Realm; Gimli son of Gloin; Aragorn, Chief of the Dunedain, also known as Strider; Boromir, Lord of Gondor; and four hobbits named Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin.

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