What Makes This So Hard? Insights into Thesis and Dissertation Writing

Graduate writing consultant Kristin Raub discusses the challenges that graduate writing presents in "What Makes This So Hard? Insights into Thesis and Dissertation Writing" (new tab). Through conversation with a variety of guests, from the coordinator of the Graduate Writing Center at the University of Vermont to fellow graduate writing consultants, she unravels the writing process to provide some tips and techniques for writing.

BRAINSTORMING AND DRAFTING 

• Explain It to Me and Hot Spots (PDF)
• Focusing Questionnaire (PDF)
• Discerning and Refining a Research Story (PDF)
• Moving from Research to Writing (PDF)
• Writing to Digest a Complex Article or Study (PDF) (helpful for data analysis too!)
• Developing a Research Question (PDF)

REVISING AND EDITING 

• Revising & Reorganizing (PDF)
• Reverse Outlining (PDF)
• Summarizig & Paraphrasing (PDF)
• Sentence Strategies for Flow (PDF)
• Four Strategies for Concision (PDF)
• Signposting and Cohesion (PDF)
• Creating Cohesion with Topic Sentences (PDF)
• Stance-Taking and Reporting Verbs (PDF)
• Commonly Used Punctuation Guide (PDF)
• Active vs. Passive Voice (PDF)
• Subject-Verb Agreement (PDF)
• Sentence Structure and Clauses (PDF)
• Fine-Tuning Your Paper Before Submission (PDF)

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL GENRES

Advanced Academic Writing

• Entering the Conversation (PDF)
• Introduction to Literature Reviews (PDF)
• Annotated Bibliography Guide (PDF)
• Learning from a Mentor Text (PDF)
• Signal Moves in an Introduction or Proposal (PDF)
• Thesis and Dissertation Proposals (PDF)

Science Writing

• Academic Papers in the Sciences (PDF) (Meeting the Needs of Novice and Expert Readers)
• IMRaD: A Rhetorical Guide to Reading and Writing (PDF)
• Science Writing 101: Introductions (PDF)
• Science Writing 101: Distinguishing Results from Discussion (PDF)

Disciplinary Writing Guides

• Genre Guides for Communication and Science Disorders
  • SOAP (Subjective/Objective/Assessment/Plan) Writing Guide (PDF)
  • How to Write a Diagnostic Report (PDF)
  • What is a Weekly Therapy Plan? (With a sample) (PDF)
  • Communication Science and Disorders Resume Guide and Examples (PDF)
• Counseling: Guide to Writing Ethical Papers (PDF)
• English: Accelerated Masters in English Thesis Guide (PDF)
• Writing an Abstract in the Health Sciences (PDF)

Professional Genres

• Resumes & CVs (PDF)
• Non Profit Grant Writing (PDF)

CULTIVATING PRODUCTIVE, HEALTHY WRITING HABITS 

• Understanding Imposter Syndrome (PDF)
• Setting SMART Goals (PDF)
• Checking in on Progress and Pace (PDF)
• Taking Stock of Your Writing Process (PDF)
• Writing Productivity Tips (PDF)
• Advice for Reluctant Writers (PDF)

• All About Literature Reviews (PowerPoint)
• Basics of APA (video)
  • Basics of APA (PDF of PowerPoint)
• Citation Resources (PowerPoint)
• Creating A Table of Contents in Microsoft Word (Video)
• Designing Presentations
  • Designing Presentations; Posters (Video)
  • Poster Presentations (PDF)
  • Designing Presentations: PowerPoints (Video)
  • PowerPoint Presentations (PDF)
• Editing for the 3Cs: Clarity, Cohesion, and Concision (PowerPoint)
• Learning from a Mentor Text (PowerPoint)
• Revision Strategies workshop slides (PowerPoint)
• Writing an Abstract in the Health Sciences
  • Writing an Abstract in the Health Sciences, Part 1: Introduction to Abstracts in the Health Sciences (Video)
  • Writing an Abstract in the Health Sciences, Part 2: Signal Moves (Video)
  • Writing an Abstract in the Health Sciences, Part 3: Using Mentor Texts (Video)
• Personal Statements for Medical School and Residencies (PowerPoint)

• Dana Library Subject-Area Librarians (new tab)
• Graduate College Resources for Graduate Students (new tab)
• Graduate Student Senate (new tab)
• Howe Library Subject-Area Librarians (new tab)
• Statistical Software Support (new tab)
• Career Resources for Graduate Students (new tab)

• Carnegie Mellon Global Communication Center (new tab)
• CV Writing Tips from the University of Illinois Graduate College (PDF)
• Penn State Graduate Writing Center (new tab)
• Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) (new tab)  (for citation, punctuation, grammar, and mechanics)
• UCLA Graduate Writing Center (new tab)
• University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Writing Center (new tab)