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Writing Basics:

4 Readers, Organized, Readability, Voice

“I can’t write without a reader. It’s precisely like a kiss—you can’t do it alone.”― John Cheever

“Every time someone opens a [thesis] and begins to

read, a synergy between the reader and the writer

occurs across time and space.”

― Jeanette O'Hagan

Agenda: Looking at Award Winners

1. Readability2. Organization3. Voice

http://www.online-utility.org/english/readability_test_and_improve.jsp

Readability

FLESCH:1. The Flesch readability score uses the sentence length (number of words per

sentence) and the number of syllables per word in an equation to calculate the reading ease. Texts with a very high Flesch reading Ease score (about 100) are very easy to read, have short sentences and no words of more than two syllables.

2. Our score:1 = very hard to read – only good for the academic audience, if then2 = better, still hard to read but could be understood by anyone with work3 = most academic writing is here – easy enough to follow but a bit boring4 = the magic mix of rigorous research with an interesting voice

Readability is the ease with which a reader can understand a written text. The readability of a particular text depends on content (for example, the complexity of its vocabulary and syntax), and typography (for example, its font size, line height, and line length).

Organization

transitive verb1: to cause to develop an organic structure2: to form into a coherent unity or functioning whole : TO INTEGRATE in such a way your reader easily follows you.

Organization allows your reader to follow your ideas and judge your work accordingly. You will be required to write for examination, so it is wise to know the purpose of each section.

TO ORGANIZE

Basic Rules

1. Headings place the reader in the space of your ideas – they need to flow in a logical order.

2. Paragraphs make ONE point – and each point adds up to the discussion only of the heading it is under.

3. Paragraphs are logically organized like a funnel or an inverted funnel4. Sentences need to be complex enough to tease out the thought but

simple enough not to get the reader lost between commas.5. Sentences within paragraphs follow an order which is similar throughout

the document – big point through the bits that make it up, or samllerparts as they add up to the whole.

6. Words need to be recognizable or so well introduced that everyone can follow your logic.

7. When things get complex, use examples.8. Know the rules of argumentation

TO ORGANIZE FOR READABILITY

Component 5: Results or Analysis• Presents your data as they relate to your

research questions with a neutral voice.• Minority data are also discussed• Enough information is given to the reader that

they can draw their own conclusionsComponent 6: Discussion or Conclusion• Summarizes the findings• Provides perspective on them• Refers back to the introduction• Ties everything together• Discusses the study's strengths and

weaknesses• Discusses implications and applications for the

discipline• Discusses future directions for research

Component 1: Introduction• The introduction• Presents the problem or exploration• Makes clear the research question to be addressed• Describes the motivation for the study• Describes the context in which the question arises• Summarizes the dissertation's findings• Discusses the importance of the findings• Provides a roadmap for readersComponent 2: Literature Review• Puts your work in the context of your field• Is comprehensive and up to date• Introduces the ideas you build on• Contextualizes the problem

Component 3: Theory• The ideas as others have contextualized them

which underpin your ideas and this study• Aligns with the question at hand• the author shows comprehension of the theory's

• Strengths• Limitations

Component 4: Methods

• What kind of research you are doing is explained

• As well as the ways and means you studied your topic

• The strengths and limitations of your choices • How/why you navigated your choices the way you

did.• How data collection and analysis proceeded – what

was learned

VoiceWhat do you want to communicate about yourself? Do you…Lecture? Tell stories? Encourage? Have tons of details?

A strong voice helps you establish consistency

Test of our docs….1. Read three random paragraphs – beginning middle and end – same voice?2. Unique voice?

Exercises to Establish Your VoiceChoose the section of your work you are most comfortable with.Drill down to a paragraph or two where your facts/meanings are clear.

Now rewrite it – make it SERIOUS / LIGHT / FULL OF DETAILS / DESCRIPTIVELecture? Tell stories? Encourage? Have tons of details?

What other adjectives?

Final ideas

A blank page is your worst enemy – write something!

You might not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page. Jodi Picoult

When you aren’t sure what to write…1. Mind map it2. Read the same section from others3. Rewrite someone else to your topic

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