This is a whirlwind tour throught tips tricks and tools useful for academic writing.

1. Exploiting Rapid
Change in Technology
Enhanced Learning
… for Post Graduate Education
Motivation, Inspiration vs Procrastination on the PhD Journey

2. My Writing
Books
Blogs
Journals
Dissertation
Thesis
Agenda – How to…
1. Organize your thoughts
2. Organize your writing process
3. Keep your “golden thread” alive
Please ask questions about a set of tools
as we finish that section – this will be a
whirlwind tour but a blog series that is
being published this week will go into
more detail.
NOTE: if you are viewing these slides in
slideshare – a lot of live content on
how the tools here all go together are
both in our DoctoraNet conference
area and on our blog – look for March
2-7 dates,

3. Organize Your
Thoughts…
Multiple Ways
and Iteratively
Cycle Through
Them for Best
Level of Critical
Analysis
1. Evernote
2. Gliffy
3. EndNote, Mendeley or other
4. Spreadsheet
5. Slides (?) if you also present

5. Organize Your
Thoughts in prep
for writing…
1. Research Design Tool
2. General Topics in columns
3. References in reference software –
groups then transposed to column A
4. Headings from models
5. Word set up for final publication before
you begin
6. Reading models first just before writing
7. All materials for that section in one
place.
8. Then go

6. Organize Your
Writing
Headings organized
Writers and thoughts from others in
spreadsheets
All your “raw material” in one place
If writing to a new format – look at
outstanding examples and then model
your first attempts after them

7. Revisions By yourself or with others?
The beauty of peer review
Difference between editing and review – when
to use each
Pre publication – adhere to style

8. Your Golden
Thread
What are the three things you want your
reader to take away from your writing? No
matter how many pages, they will only retain 3
things?
Out of that 200 pages how does each section
support the evolution of those three key ideas?
This target – only things that support those
three key points will greatly reduce the
potential for your writing wavering.
You keep from being redundant by plotting
how each section develops the key themes
from a different angle.

9. Your Voice Why do you do this work?
What theories do you relate to?
What drives you?
These are the ties to your voice – over a body
of work the various threads should weave a
pattern for your readers.
They should feel like they know you when they
meet you.

10. Odd Thoughts…
Procrastination
Is your house too clean? Your email box
empty? All your friends caught up on all your
social media?
Are you afraid of being fully engaged?
Have you begun with a clear view of the end in
mind and do you keep it at the forefront of
your awareness?
Commit to something bigger than yourself and
let that pull you forward – it makes it easier to
ignore small distractions.

11. Things to keep
in mind…
No Fear of Mistakes! Perfectionism holds us
back and it also keeps us from empathy with
others – one of life’s gifts
Regular practice – get in your 10,000 hours
Day dream the process, not just the ending –
see yourself writing long hours, see yourself
discussing hard problems
Maintain a Growth Mindset

12. Online community is growing
Phased to Help You Be More Efficient
Community space
Phases
Maps and Interactive Technology @ inexpensive prices

13. What’s Up 4 Free @ DoctoralNet.com?
1. Community
2. Blog
3. 365 Daily Inspirations
4. Your personal milestone checklist – free
but requires site basic registration
5. Want these slides? Give me your email or
ask for them at alana@doctoralnet.com

14. Coaching Available
Top professors
Efficient help
In support of the guidelines and decisions of
your supervisors
Timely feedback
Supportive Environment
This week we feature Dr Joanne Preston – multi year editor of organizational
development journals and previous Dean for Business at several universities.
Want to publish? Want to ensure your work is in the ball park with your field?
Joanne is your coach.