This document provides an overview of key differences between Western academic writing style and structure compared to Armenian/Russian styles. It discusses focusing the writing, using a clear structure like introducing the topic and conclusions, keeping writing concise with short sentences, and properly citing sources to avoid plagiarism. Tips are provided on writing style, structure, improving writing skills, and publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals.

1. Western Academic Writing: Getting Published in a Peer-Reviewed Journal CRRC-Armenia 2010 Workshop Jenny Paturyan

2. Workshop Content Brainstorm: How is western academia different? How is western writing style different? Writing: Structure and Style Practical Exercise Writing an article for a peer-reviewed journal Documenting sources Helpful tools Wrap up

3. Western Academic Style How is western academia different? How is western writing style different? Strict style rules and requirements Clear structure More critical Active discussions Focused/addressed to specific audience Importance of novelty

4. Improve your Writing: Structure Focus : what’s the puzzle? Structure : tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them what you told them 5 important points: What? Why? How? Thus and So What? KISS : Keep It Simple Stupid Back up your arguments: references and data Flawless in-text citations and reference list (style, amount, full correspondence)

5. Structure Abstract Glossary, main terms (or in the end) List of abbreviations List of tables and figures Introduction Body Conclusion References Appendixes

6. Tips on Writing: Structure Plan ahead Abstract is the last thing to be written. Introductions is usually second last Literature review is not to show that you know a lot. It shows the “puzzle” Methodology is there to show the quality of your work Pay attention to the paragraphs (lead sentence, 3 sentences min)

7. Improve Your Writing: Style Write in short simple sentences No emotions Keep your audience in mind Define your concepts Provide information your reader needs (abbreviation explanations, “within text references”) Be honest about flaws and limitations It is YOUR job to help your reader follow your train of thoughts!

8. Tips on Writing Style Use active rather than passive voice Do not abbreviate (don’t) Does this word (sentence, paragraph) carry any additional meaning? It is crucial to find the right tone: confident but not overconfident Spellchecker (grammar check) always on! Consistency: %, one-third vs. one third, etc

9. General Writing Tips Know your own writing style Overcoming writer’s block Read works you want to imitate Let it be, then read again Proofread several times: each time different focus (punctuation, style, references, etc.) Ask someone to proofread it It has to look neat Learning and improving never ends

10. Practical Exercise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLk86Iho1Qo There is a quiz on CRRC moodle http://crrc.mrooms.net/login/index.php Work in groups

11. Article in a Peer-Reviewed Journal What’s an article? About 20 pages Emphasis on results What’s a peer-reviewed journal? Ranks Process of Peer Review Have a very clear idea of what kind of articles that journal is publishing: content, style, format

12. Documenting Your Sources Courtesy to the author Credibility of your work Service to your reader For yourself, in case you need it later To avoid plagiarism accusations Using other people ’ s work and ideas, without acknowledging it, is plagiarism (this is true for pictures and graphs as well)

13. Different Style Requirements American Psychological Association (APA) style Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Fifth edition. American Psychological Association: Washington, DC, 2001. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style Joseph Gibaldi, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Sixth edition. The Modern Language Association of America: New York, 2003. Chicago style The Chicago Manual of Style. University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 2003. And a few thousand other styles http://www.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citation.htm

14. Helpful tools Spell-checker English is build in, active by default Armenian: PowerSpell http://soft.areg.biz/downloads/poweroffice/download_ps_e.htm Reference management software http://home.mybibliographix.com/ http://www.zotero.org/

15. Wrap-Up Writing for a Western academic community can be tricky for those of us used to Armenian/Russian academic style Good content is necessary but not sufficient. Good structure and good style are also needed Document your work from day 1. Keep track of your sources Make your results public: find the right journal, follow the submission criteria

16. My favorite quotes about writing You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression More is not better. Better is better There are two types of PhD theses: the perfect ones and the finished ones

17. Further Reading http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice http://essayinfo.com/ http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/ http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/writersref6e/Player/Pages/Main.aspx http://www.crrc.am/index.php/en/17/45 Books at CRRC library 

18. Good luck writing and publishing!