As you well know by now, I am doing a Master’s programme and am super excited about all the academic stuff. One thing that occasionally stresses me, though, is writing. What’s worse is that I have to do it every day. So, asides from this space, I dedicate time to writing in my academic space almost daily.
For some papers, the words flow pretty well, while for others, I won’t be able to get a word down for days. The worst of this has been my thesis. For weeks, any attempt at writing was met with uncontrollable, severe anxiety.
I assumed it was because the topic I chose was new to me. You see, I am working on the patterns of language impairment in dementia. Everything about this research area, except language, is quite new to me.
So, I embarked on some extensive reading. Using Excel first, then switching to RemNotes, I created a detailed review of all the literature I consulted. Then, I tried writing again… and failed.
Failing to start my thesis had been the highlight of my life for weeeeksss… until something incredible happened on late Monday night/early Tuesday morning. I wrote a 10-paged article on “Children and Witchcraft in Nigeria” (for my Child Development class) in only two seating. It occurred to me that I knew absolutely nothing about that topic until the moment I started writing.
So, why was it easier? Why did the ideas flow smoothly? It was my approach!
It turns out that for my thesis, I was using a writing style that did not suit my thought process. I also saw it as such a “big deal” on which I could not afford to do poorly no matter what. For some context, I consulted several YT videos on how to write a thesis… just to get it right.
This was not a bad idea, I just followed a writing model that was wrong for me. So, I decided to switch to the style I used for the “Children and Witchcraft in Nigeria” paper. Here are the steps:
- Light reading of different sources to get an outline
- Select papers to be used (there isn’t a limit on how many, but you’ll know when you have enough)
- Create an outline
- Write everything from my head, questionable sentences and all. As much as possible, avoid editing
- Divide my screen into two. One part will be my browser/pdf reader and the other will be Word. Switch “Word” with “pen and paper” if I’m going manual
- Copy my outline on a new page and add content under the relevant headers (the points on the outline are my headers)
- Consult sources and get quotes/ideas. Preferable, reading the entire article will do. To work fast, though, I skim through and read parts that are relevant to the work at hand. 5 to 10 minutes per article is acceptable. Document the meaning/ideas gotten from the quote.
- Cite and add the source to my reference list immediately. This saves time!
- At this point, snatches of seemingly disjointed writing are everywhere on my document/book. The headers on Word help me make sense of things. Plus, I can always move content around. This is impossible with pen and paper, so I number each bulk of content (I typically write in bullet points). If I have 5 points turn header on my outline, I simply add a correlating number to the content on my book.
- When I have felt like I’m veering off, I read the entire work-in-progess paper or a substantial part to recalibrate my line of thought. I reread it multiple times during the process of writing.
- Consult and add new citations are needed (this is inevitable)
- Edit!!!
This is exactly what I’ve done with my thesis, and I have 10 pages on my first chapter in just one day! I am currently shuffling between steps 7 to 11. The game-changer for me was most definitely step 4.
Note that it is not just about the number of pages, quality also matters, maybe even more. I can’t wait to share it with you!
Reflecting now, this is the writing approach most natural to me, and which I have been unconsciously using (although excluding some steps like 2, 8, and 11 which I only recently learned for my YT consultations).
The line of action for you now – if you are thinking of having one – is to find the writing style that works for you. Of course, consult web and people resources. There is always something new to learn. Take some time for you to read extensively if you need to. Also, it is okay for you to think that you writing rubbish when you start your first draft. Let go of the need to be perfect. The goal is to get content on paper/screen first. Editions/corrections can come later. You can’t edit a blank paper, can you? Good luck!
These are 500 words (or more ?)! Talk to you tomorrow!