Four tips for writing faster and better:
- Summarise using sentences.
- Write as if no one is reading.
- Write, just write.
- Join a writing group.
Transcript:
Good day, bakers, writers, and rock stars! Each week I host a writing program. And in the writing program this week I learned something really valuable that I think would be useful to share with you all.
Which is one of the things you can do to check the clarity of your writing, of your thesis writing in particular. That’s what we’re focusing on is to write a summary sentence for each paragraph in your thesis, and then read it through and work out does it make sense. Is there a logical flaw of ideas? Is there a logical flow of argument? Are your main points in there? If they’re not there, did you poorly summarize the paragraph or did the paragraph not have it? if the arguments aren’t in flow, aren’t in order is that because you put them down in the wrong order or you didn’t explain yourself in the correct order. Have a think about that. So, that’s one tip for writing better and faster. I’ve got a couple of others as well.
The second is to write as if no one’s reading. Now, the reality is I would say that if you’re writing a journal article or a thesis not many people are reading. Data suggests that most peer-reviewed published journal articles don’t get read or don’t get cited. So, your journal article might be read by 5 people in total. The authoring team, the reviewers, and maybe one other person. So, sad news I know, but if you write like no one’s reading then you’ll get over your writing issues much quicker. You’ll get writing done faster.
The next thing is to write just right. So, one of the things that we know from research is that when students are given a task and told a writing task and told focus on quality. And a different bunch of students are given the same task but told focus on quantity, the group that focuses on quantity is both writing more and writing better by the end of the experiment. The group that focuses on quality they improve, but they don’t get as much done and they don’t improve as much. So, clearly practice and writing regularly is far more important than writing focusing on quality only. Finally, you can join a writing group. Like I said, I run a writing group, but we know that one if you have peers who are forcing you to be a particular way. You know, social norms that helps you improve. We know that if you invest in something that you’re more likely to stick with it. So, if you’re having trouble writing, consider joining a writing group and I’d love you love to hear you join mine.
So, if you’re interested in any of that, comment below. Let me know what you think, share this with others, and I’d love to have a conversation with you.
Bye!