Avoiding Bias in Capstone Writing
Learning
how to avoid bias in one’s writing is as just as important to writers in the
social sciences as developing proficiency with APA style, research methods, and
writing mechanics. Establishing scholarly voice, having your work be viewed as
credible and ethical by others, and engaging readers all depend upon writing in
as unbiased a manner as possible.
But, avoiding bias in social scientific writing is much less straightforward than other areas of writing such as grammar, argumentation, and citation, which have more clear-cut rules. Today, I want to discuss the critical issue of bias (specifically, how to avoid it) in scholarly writing, especially in dissertations and doctoral studies.
According
to standpoint theorists, we all
have a standpoint, which is based on our identity and standing within our
social order. This standpoint shapes what we see and know and what we think
of as normal and abnormal. A capstone writer may not give a second thought to
writing “our schools” or “America” when referring to U.S. schools or the United
States. His or her readers may be confused or offended by this terminology,
however. For this reason, APA guidelines call for limiting use of the “editorial
we” and only using it when you have co-authored a paper and are writing from
that perspective. APA guidelines also call for being as precise as possible when
referring to countries and regions (e.g., using “United States”).
For
capstone writers, who typically work on their documents for several years, avoiding
bias may be especially challenging. Over time, they may become desensitized
to the terms, abbreviations, and phrases that have become a part of their core
vocabulary. Problematic language is very commonplace. Consider the use of the
phrase “at risk” as an adjective. A capstone writer whose topic concerns youth
who are homeless may encounter this term repeatedly in mainstream media,
research literature, personal communication, and data collection. It could
easily become part of her or her lexicon to say “at-risk youth.” A researcher
studying a different topic might start to use the word “borderline” in the same
way, having been immersed in the literature that defines the term in a specific
way. But, as noted in APA 3.11, these terms are “loaded with innuendo unless
properly explained” (p. 71). That is why it is much better to write “youth at
risk of homelessness” or “individuals with borderline personality disorder.”
Also,
during the long time of research conceptualization, data collection and analysis,
and writing, language and cultural conventions often change, giving new
meanings and understandings to existing terminology as well as leading to new
vocabulary and ways of viewing and discussing social phenomena. For example, criticism of the notion of a gender binary (i.e., viewing gender in terms of two categories, male and female) has increased in recent years. Some people wish to view gender as a continuum while others wish to dispense with the category in its entirety. The use of "they" as a singular pronoun has become more and more common as a way to address these issues. As language changes, and it always does, past usages can lead to the perception of bias.
Please note that APA recommends using "they" as a singular pronoun when a participant prefers that term. In other cases, the organization recommends rephrasing sentences (e.g., replace a singular pronoun with a plural noun or pronoun or rephrase the sentence using both male and female pronouns) to maintain appropriately formal and grammatical sentence construction. You can find a lot of good guidelines, both general and by topic, in the current APA manual in print (see pp. 70-77) and online. No matter what your topic, I strongly encourage every dissertation and doctoral capstone writer to review these official guidelines.
Please note that APA recommends using "they" as a singular pronoun when a participant prefers that term. In other cases, the organization recommends rephrasing sentences (e.g., replace a singular pronoun with a plural noun or pronoun or rephrase the sentence using both male and female pronouns) to maintain appropriately formal and grammatical sentence construction. You can find a lot of good guidelines, both general and by topic, in the current APA manual in print (see pp. 70-77) and online. No matter what your topic, I strongly encourage every dissertation and doctoral capstone writer to review these official guidelines.
My
other tips for avoiding bias in capstone writing include the following:
be as concrete as
possible. Writing in this manner and avoiding superlatives
and excessive or unnecessary descriptors will help you immensely in
establishing and maintaining a neutral tone. It will also help ensure that your
readers take away your intended meaning, as my colleague Claire
Helakoski recently noted on the Blog.
avoid totalizing
language. This can happen when a writer represents someone’s
essence based on one attribute of his or her self. For instance, the
description “John, a disabled participant…” might convey to some readers that
disability status is the most important part of John’s identity and life
experience, when, in fact, it is only one part. The description might suggest a
second-class status to other readers. Writing “John, a participant who
identifies as disabled” conveys that John is a participant (i.e., who is like
other participants) and, at the same time, acknowledges difference.
mention differences only when relevant. Stefanie at the APA Style Blog advises writers to “mention differences only when relevant.” I think that is great advice. You
would not want to point out John’s disability status unless it was genuinely
important to note based on your study focus or findings. The same thing with
language such as “male nurse” and “female athlete.” I am not saying that you
should not use these terms at all. But, if you do so, do so conscientiously and
critically, ask yourself why you are marking such differences, and think about
the implications (e.g., reinforcing perceptions of what is normal and natural).
call people what they want to be called. Stefanie goes on in her post to recommend that writers “call people what they want to be called.” As APA 3.16 notes, some
readers may sense disapproval or contempt in the use of adjectives such as elderly and senior. Using older adults
or giving specific age ranges is preferable. Also, think carefully about using
“homosexual” as a noun or adjective. Although this term might be accurate, it
is offensive to many readers because of its use to mark individuals who
identified as nonheterosexual as deviant and unnatural. Use lesbian, gay men, and bisexual men or bisexual women, instead. Also, if a female participant refers to her
wife, you should do the same.
be careful when putting
people into groups. Even phrases such as the Latino population, LGBT community, and the Black race are problematic because they subtly convey that all
members of these groups are a monolith. With regard to “the Latino population,”
consider writing something like “Latino/a residents of New Orleans” to be more
specific.
Avoiding
bias in capstone writing can be challenging, but I hope that these tips and
resources are helpful. Do check out our other resources aimed at helping you learn to avoid unintentional bias in your writing.
And
please return to The Walden University Writing Center Blog regularly for more
writing instruction geared specifically for writers completing their capstone
studies. You (and your committee) will be glad you did.
Tara Kachgal is a dissertation editor in the Walden University Writing Center. She has a Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and teaches for the School of Government's online MPA@UNC program. She resides in Chapel Hill and, in her spare time, serves as a mentor for her local running store's training program.
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Thursday Thoughts: September in Sight
While the globe spins us into a new season, the Writing Center also shifts gears, with a webinar schedule set to satisfy the needs of new and returning students alike. If you took a break from classes this summer, we missed you! Welcome back. If you were taking classes during the summer in-between summer activities and family reunions, we tip our hats to you. Whatever your schedule was like this summer, we are happy you're joining us this fall, and we hope you'll join us, too, for our series of September webinars.
Next month, we'll be talking about abstracts and how to write them, common grammar errors and how to fix them, APA guidelines and how you can abide by them, and instructor comments and how to use them. Click on the links below for more information and to register!
- Introduce, Conclude, & Write the Abstract of Your Study
2:00PM - 3:00PM EST, Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - Common Grammar Errors and How to Fix Them
12:00PM - 1:00PM EST, Thursday, September 15, 2016 - APA Citations Part 2: Nontraditional Sources
6:00PM - 7:00PM EST, Tuesday, September 20, 2016 - Improving Your Writing: Strategies for Revising, Proofing, and Using Feedback
1:00PM - 2:00PM EST, Wednesday, September 28, 2016
The Walden Writing Center offers to Walden students 1:1 writing support and offers to students and non-students alike all the writing expertise, tips, and information a writer could want.
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On Fishing and Writing
Last summer, I had the opportunity to go fishing with my
father up in northern Minnesota. As we
sat in the boat, mindfully casting out our lures and occasionally pulling in
Northern Pike, I was struck: Writing and fishing have a lot in common!
It’s a process.
Experienced fishermen and women take time to prepare for the day of fishing. As I watched my dad spend 30 minutes loading the boat, sorting through the tackle boxes, securing the straps around the trailer, planning our route, and filling water bottles, I was reminded that effective writers take time to prepare too. When writing, remember that it’s a process and that taking time to prepare (through critical reading, outlining,drafting) can help make the process go more smoothly.
Experienced fishermen and women take time to prepare for the day of fishing. As I watched my dad spend 30 minutes loading the boat, sorting through the tackle boxes, securing the straps around the trailer, planning our route, and filling water bottles, I was reminded that effective writers take time to prepare too. When writing, remember that it’s a process and that taking time to prepare (through critical reading, outlining,drafting) can help make the process go more smoothly.
You can’t keep them
all.
When fishing, sometimes the fish you catch seem perfect as you bring in the net, but then you measure or weigh them and realize that they’re too big or too small to keep. Sometimes it’s hard to throw back the fish after they’ve been caught, but you must. It’s the law. With writing, the same rule applies. Sometimes you write beautiful sentences or paragraphs, but when you go to revise, you realize they’re too long or too short. So, you have to cut them.
When fishing, sometimes the fish you catch seem perfect as you bring in the net, but then you measure or weigh them and realize that they’re too big or too small to keep. Sometimes it’s hard to throw back the fish after they’ve been caught, but you must. It’s the law. With writing, the same rule applies. Sometimes you write beautiful sentences or paragraphs, but when you go to revise, you realize they’re too long or too short. So, you have to cut them.
Sometimes you don’t
make progress.
It doesn’t happen often in northern Minnesota since fish in the lakes are bountiful, but every once in a while, you don’t catch any fish. It can be tempting to stay out longer and spend more hours trying to get that elusive fish, but it’s important to remember that there’s more to life than just fishing, and sometimes it’s okay to go home empty handed. Occasionally, the same thing may happen with writing. You may sit and try to write for a few hours without making progress. Rather than being upset about this, go ahead and call it a day and come back to it tomorrow. Maybe things will be different then.
It doesn’t happen often in northern Minnesota since fish in the lakes are bountiful, but every once in a while, you don’t catch any fish. It can be tempting to stay out longer and spend more hours trying to get that elusive fish, but it’s important to remember that there’s more to life than just fishing, and sometimes it’s okay to go home empty handed. Occasionally, the same thing may happen with writing. You may sit and try to write for a few hours without making progress. Rather than being upset about this, go ahead and call it a day and come back to it tomorrow. Maybe things will be different then.
The rewards at the
end of the day are great.
Fishing is laborious and requires a lot of hard work and concentration. At the end of the day, it’s all worth it because you’ve caught your own dinner and spent some quality time outdoors. Like fishing, writing can sometimes be really challenging and can require a lot of focus and concentration. However, at the end of the day, when you’ve met your writing goal or completed your course assignment or dissertation chapter, the rewards are so strong.
Fishing is laborious and requires a lot of hard work and concentration. At the end of the day, it’s all worth it because you’ve caught your own dinner and spent some quality time outdoors. Like fishing, writing can sometimes be really challenging and can require a lot of focus and concentration. However, at the end of the day, when you’ve met your writing goal or completed your course assignment or dissertation chapter, the rewards are so strong.
Thanks for reading!
Do you have any other ideas for how fishing and writing are alike? If
so, let us know in the comment box below.
Jes Philbrook is a Writing Instructor in the Walden University Writing Center. She’s taught and tutored writing for the last nine years. When not working, Jes can be found outdoors, likely walking, canoeing, fishing, reading a book in a hammock, or playing with her adorable nieces and nephews.
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Thursday Thoughts: Your Cat Can Inspire Great Writing
This week, in deliberation about the Thursday Thoughts post, I was trying to think of a catchy acronym that would allow me to share with the world a picture of my beautiful cat, Lucy, and I realized: Writing well requires care, attention, time, and space... or: Writing well requires C (care) A (attention) T (time) S (space). That's right, writing well requires cats.Having a pet cat requires your care, attention, time, and space. Likewise, writing well requires care, attention, time, and space. If you have questions about what I mean, like I hope you do, read more below!
C
Writing requires care, in
that - when given the opportunity - you should always choose to write about
something you care about. Chances are, if you're seeking a degree at Walden,
you are enrolled in a program because you care about it, so this should be
easy. Audiences of your writing will be able to tell whether you care about
your topic. Your audience includes your professors, your partner, your
classmates, and your friends. Your audience is bigger than you might think, and
trust me, they will be more likely to care about your topic if it shows that you care about
it, too. To read more about how to demonstrate care in your writing and let
your audience know you care, checkout this blog post titled, "Reading the Room: Adjusting Your Writing to Engage Your Audience."
A
Writing well requires attention to detail. I've been the student who writes a 10-page
paper the day before the paper is due... don't get me wrong. However, that
writing process made me feel really scattered and disorganized. I couldn't pay proper attention to all the moving pieces of my paper, and I lost track of important details that would have otherwise strengthened my text. So, my argument
is that any attention given to your paper should be focused attention, and this begins first with organizing
your galaxy of articles and quotes and ideas into clear, easy-to-navigate
notes. Lucky for you, we have some great resources on how you can organize your ideas so that you can begin writing with a good foundation. Beginning from a foundation of organized details
is likely to result in a piece of writing that feels stronger overall.
T
As I've written long
and longer pieces of writing, I've learned that writing well requires a
timeline and clear goals. My cat, for instance, loves snuggling with me when
she wakes up in the morning and, later in the afternoon, she loves to charge around the house from bedroom to bedroom. She has a timeline for each and every day, one that is unique to her and her preferences, and I think that a piece of writing, too, should be approached with the same ideas in mind. Writing, in and of itself, takes time... choosing a topic
you care to write about, organizing your ideas about that topic, and sitting
down at the computer to begin your introduction are all part of the writing timeline. The step in this timeline where you actually begin writing your paper is discussed here, in our blog post titled, "Don't Just Write a Paper: Take a Trip." This blog post can help you to set up your writing timeline.
S
Taking space away from your writing can be a means of self-care. As a writer, you are used to looking at the same words on a screen for hours at a time, and sometimes, after so many hours, those words can begin to feel jumbled. To negate this feeling, my suggestion is to take a break. Grant yourself the ability to create some space between yourself and your writing. Do something you love. Pick up a sweet treat from your local cafe; go for a run; watch an episode of your favorite guilty pleasure TV show. Whatever you do, let go of paper pressure during that time. Creating this space to practice self-care should calm you and allow you to return to your paper feeling refreshed. More ideas to create space and practice self-care can be found here, with tips and tricks from fellow Walden students. As a writer, who will likely be writing for years to come, this practice will benefit you long-term.
Now, I hope it's clear: You do need CATS to write well. Maybe you don't need a cuddly kitten charging around your house to write well, but it will benefit you as a writer to care for your writing by paying attention, making time, and taking space. If you have any questions about these tips or the resources provided within this blog post, feel free to send us an email at writingsupport@waldenu.edu. Until next Thursday, happy writing!
The Walden Writing Center offers to Walden students 1:1 writing support and offers to students and non-students alike all the writing expertise, tips, and information a writer could want.
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The Writing Center's Top 10 Tips for Writing Useful Topic Sentences
We've spent a lot of time lately discussing topic sentences on this blog lately because this concept is one of the most important elements of writing sound, coherent paragraphs in your academic writing. So to add a few layers to our discussion, check out these top 10 tips for writing useful topic sentences.
In academic writing, as well as most other forms, well-developed
topic sentences will ensure that your reader understands the exact focus of
that specific section or paragraph. In
understanding the importance of their placement, as well as the detail needed
to make them targeted and specific, you have the ability to frame your argument
in a way that is more easily understood and retained by your reader. These short but important sentences also
provide a structure to your writing that makes revising and editing much easier
and less time consuming. So without
further introduction, I would like to invite you to read of my 10 quick and
dirty tips and tricks for writing strong topic sentences!
Tip #1: Make sure each
topic sentence works hand-in-hand with your thesis statement.
The topic sentence will inform the
reader of the main point of the paragraph and essay, which should easily connect
with the thesis statement of the overall essay. As the thesis provides detailed
information about the overall argument of the paper, the topic sentence gives
the reader a more focused understanding of this material. A good way to see if this connection is made
successfully is to read only the thesis statement in your introduction and the topic sentences
of your body paragraphs. If you are able to connect the broad idea of the paper
with each topic sentence through the thesis statement, then you have written a
well-crafted topic sentence and a detailed thesis!
Tip #2: Avoid using a direct
quote or paraphrase for your topic sentence.
In academic
writing you want to avoid using direct quotes in the first sentence of your
paragraph. Instead, the material in this
position should be your contribution to the argument. In using your own
original thoughts and ideas for these instances you are showing the reader that
you fully understand the materials, and you are using the research of others to
supplement the reader’s understanding of the materials you are presenting. This way the reader understands that you are
an expert on this material, and are providing them research from other sources
to further their understanding.
Tip #3: Read your topic
sentence out loud to make sure that it transitions smoothly into the next
sentence.
Reading out loud is
one of the most powerful ways writers can revise their work, and it is
especially important for topic sentences!
It allows you to make sure that your writing is attention grabbing,
fluid, and that it transitions into the rest of your writing smoothly.
Tip #4: Avoid
introducing multiple authors or topics within a single topic sentence.
Often when we include
too many authors or topics in a first sentence, the reader will become confused
and lose focus on the important ideas you are presenting to them in your
paragraph.
Tip #5: Read the last
sentence of the previous paragraph to make sure you have included enough
information to make a seamless transition into your next paragraph.
Think of the topic
sentence of your body paragraph as the chorus of a catchy song. If you don’t have good lyrics leading into
the chorus it isn’t as effective, and you might night start humming along when
you get to it. With a strong conclusive
statement in the paragraph before you can set up your next topic sentence to be even more
powerful— just as powerful as a chorus or jingle that gets stuck in your head!
Tip #6: Read the topic
sentences of an author or professor you admire.
One of the best ways
to become a stronger writer is to read, read, read! Reading the work of respected scholars in
your field allows you to absorb different writing techniques and apply them to
your own work!
Tip #7: Read the topic
sentences in the publications to which you plan to submit your academic writing.
Often times you are
able to see, and mimic, the expectations of the publication by reading through
previously published work. Not only will
this make your writing stronger, but it will increase your chances of a
submission getting accepted by that publication.
Tip #8: Avoid
repeating phrases, subject-specific terms, author’s names, articles or any key
concepts more than once in a topic sentence.
Have you ever started
to read a book or story where the author introduced so many characters you lost
track of who they were and gave up on reading it? Me too! The same thing can happen with
academic writing, so you want to be sure that you introduce terms, articles and
names with purpose.
Tip #9: Make sure the establishing
sentence that you use for your conclusion sets up the closing remark you make
in the last sentence of your assignment.
The first sentence for your
conclusion will need to support the last sentence, or conclusive statement of
your paper. A strong first sentence will
reaffirm the importance of your topic, and when paired with a strong conclusive
statement you will be able to make a valid and poignant argument that will
stick with your reader long after they have finished your paper!
Tip #10: Have fun!
Writing doesn’t have
to seem like work! Use your passion and
excitement for the topic you are writing about to craft topic sentences that
get the reader just as excited as you are!
Meghan Barnes is an instructor and writer based in the South. She has two dogs, and a handful of composting worms that she enjoys feeding scraps to. When she is not writing, editing, or reading, she enjoys playing kickball, softball, and other active sports.
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Thursday Thoughts: A Writer Doesn't Have to Be Lonely
Did you know? Each of the Writing Instructors at Walden's Writing Center provides Walden students with roughly 20 hours of 1:1 writing support per week. This means we see a lot of requests. Students wonder: Does my writing make sense? Does this flow? How is my introductory paragraph? And what about my transitions between ideas? But our top requests from students during paper reviews are to focus on whether or not the text is grammatically sound, whether it meets APA guidelines, and whether it fulfills assignment guidelines.We should say, first, that it's tough to create a a grammatically perfect paper that adheres to every APA guideline and fulfills assignment expectations. That's why we are here. The expectation to go by is that 1) our center exists for a reason and 2) the reason is that all writers need support.
You see, it may seem sometimes like you are out there on your own against the great big world, with a daunting, blank Word Document in front of you, but the truth is: We are here! The Writing Center was created to help students combat the scariness of that blank Word Document, and you can take advantage of us by:
- 1. Setting up a 1:1 appointment with a writing instructor
- 2. Checking out our Grammar Overview pages
- 3. De-mystifying APA Citation Style
- 4. Reviewing our descriptions of Common Course Assignments
Following these four steps will, at the very least, get you feeling a little more comfortable in the shoes of student who is also a writer at Walden University. Secondly, these steps, I am hoping, should make clear to you that we are here, and we want to be.
That being said, we are excited to work with you and provide you with 1:1 support. Take advantage of us and our services, and feel free to email us with additional writing questions at any time at writingsupport@waldenu.edu.
We will see you soon!
The Walden Writing Center offers to Walden students 1:1 writing support and offers to students and non-students alike all the writing expertise, tips, and information a writer could want.
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One Topic Sentence to Rule Them All!
Capstone Writing
,
Dissertation
,
Expert Advice
,
Mt. Doom
,
Organization
,
Writer's Workshop
No comments
 |
| One Topic Sentence to Rule Them All |
On this blog and the Writing Center website, we have talked at length about the topic sentence. You know, that sentence that sits at the beginning of your paragraph to tell the reader the main idea? But what if you are writing a long document such as a capstone, literature review, thesis, or final project that includes sections of multiple paragraphs? Each paragraph in the section has its own topic sentence, but the section as a whole should also have a sentence that unifies and leads in to the section’s focus. We could call this sentence by any number of names:
- The Establishing Sentence (it establishes the section’s scope and grounds the reader, sort of like an establishing shot in a movie)
- The Super Topic Sentence (it “sits above” the other topic sentences within the section)
- The Sign Post (it acts as a marker along the way to guide the reader into the next major topic)
- The Topic Sentence to Rule Them All (for Lord of the Rings fans; it essentially “rules” the other topic sentences within that section. The others should connect with that overarching idea.)
Let’s look at an example. Suppose you are writing a long essay promoting animal therapy for patients with anxiety disorders. To advocate
your position, you would have to discuss anxiety disorders, current therapies
for these disorders (specifically, why they don’t work alone), and animal
therapy as an alternative or addition. These could all be different sections.
Here is a visual of the layout, with section headings:
Animal Therapy for
People With Anxiety Disorders [title]
Anxiety Disorders
Current Treatments for Anxiety Disorders
Animal Therapy As an Additional Treatment Option
Conclusion
If
we were to write an establishing sentence for the Current Treatments section, it might look like this: "With anxiety disorders so widespread in the
population, many therapies have been introduced, including drug treatment, psychotherapy,
and music and art therapy."
Not only does this establishing sentence
transition from the previous section (with mention of anxiety’s prevalence),
but it sets up the three main therapies that will be addressed in the section.
Now the writer can devote one paragraph to drug treatment, one to
psychotherapy, and one to music and art therapy. In these paragraphs, the
writer would describe the treatments, their efficacy, and the gap that they
leave (which naturally could be filled by an alternative therapy).
As you begin to practice this important writing skill in your own work, here are a few additional points to consider:
An establishing
sentence does not replace a section heading. You might think, Well, I have an establishing sentence, so I
don’t need a heading. (Or alternatively, I have a heading, so I don’t need an establishing sentence.) These points
in your paper actually serve two different purposes and therefore should both
exist. The heading is brief and bold and ultimately aids scannability. The
reader can quickly scan the essay to see the major topics as highlighted in the
headings. The establishing sentence is integrated with the paragraph and serves
the deeper purposes of organization and flow.
An establishing
sentence should not simply duplicate a section heading. Suppose you have a
heading in your paper labeled Strengths
and Limitations. Your establishing sentence is This study has several strengths and limitations. Well, that
doesn’t tell the reader much more than the heading itself, right? You want to
dig deeper and get specific so that your establishing sentence carries more weight.
A better establishing sentence would be The
strengths of this study center on the researchers’ ability to remain objective,
whereas the limitations involve sample size and study site.
Where there is an
establishing sentence, there must also be a section closing sentence. If
you start something, you want to finish it. If you say hello, you must also say
goodbye. At the end of the section, then, you want to guide the reader out. A
section closing offers a conclusion for the idea so that the reader is not left
wondering or questioning.
Establishing sentence,
super topic sentence, sign post, topic sentence to rule them all? Whatever
we call it, this sentence is powerful and necessary for directing the reader
smoothly through a longer document of many sections.
Hillary Wentworth has been mentoring student writers through the Walden Writing Center since 2010. In addition to tutoring and teaching, she edits an online literary journal, writes her own nonfiction, and enjoys solving (or attempting to solve) crossword puzzles.
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Thursday Thoughts: What the Preproposal Schedule Means for You
The Writing Center is excited to announce updated myPASS policies and an expansion to our paper review service! Students working on their doctoral premise or prospectus are now able to make appointments on our Preproposal Schedule in myPASS.
Students, if you are working on your premise or prospectus, here’s what you need to know about these appointments now available to you:
- As with our Undergraduate Coursework Schedule and Graduate Coursework Schedule, students can reserve appointments up to two weeks in advance and are able to make two appointments per week. We encourage students to work with us early and often!
- Appointments are asynchronous, so you do not need to clear your schedule, choose a time, or wait by the phone. Simply make an appointment in myPASS and attach your paper by the deadline, and you will receive an e-mail when your review is available.
- Each appointment includes a brief form to fill out prior to the appointment. This form helps our writing instructors better understand any questions or concerns you have about your writing, where you are in the writing process, and what you’d like help with in your review.
- Students do not need to have a finished paper to make a paper review appointment. Writing Center Writing Instructors provide feedback on outlines, early drafts, final drafts, and completed assignments.
- Writing instructors will not be able to provide feedback on content (e.g., the development of research questions) or edit or proofread papers, but they will help you identify patterns in your writing to strengthen your writing skills.
More information about our paper review service and our updated policies is available on the Writing Center website. We look forward to working with you soon!
The Walden Writing Center offers to Walden students 1:1 writing support and offers to students and non-students alike all the writing expertise, tips, and information a writer could want.
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Can Being a Good Conversationalist Improve Your Writing?
As writers, one of the key things we need to consider is our
audience. Who is reading our work, what do they know? What do they want to
know? In order to enhance your writing and consider your audience, today we’ll
talk about treating writing as a conversation.
Note that this is different than conversational tone. You want to have a very
academic and formal conversation—but thinking of writing as a conversation with
your esteemed audience can help you improve your reader’s experience—which will
also improve the quality of your work and clarity of your ideas.
Imagine Your Audience
First, it helps to imagine your audience to know what type
of conversation you’ll be having. A conversation with you and your mom would
probably be different than one with you and an old friend and again different
than one with you and a stranger. For most academic writing you want to
consider your audience as someone you look up to in your field but haven’t met
in person. Basically, you want to show off how smart you are to this audience a
little bit—which will help you keep the appropriate tone. Remember, when
imagining your audience, you’ll want to be:
Imagine Both Sides
The main difference between a written conversation and an
in-person one is that the other person can’t talk back or ask questions or
interrupt. So when writing as a conversation, it’s important to fill in the
gaps where the other person might ask a question—you don’t want to leave a
reader who can’t interrupt you with a lack of understanding or clarification,
right? Because then at the end of your paper their question may still be
unanswered.
Here’s an example of
something that might happen in a real conversation:
You are speaking with a friend and discussing your weekend plans. Your friend suddenly says “Oh yes potato salad is my favorite”. You have no idea how they made that leap—so in the real conversation, you could ask them and they might say “Sorry! I was thinking of my favorite food to take on picnics. I like to picnic at the park you were just talking about”. The connection is there, but you couldn’t see it, right? Now imagine you couldn’t interrupt your friend for questions—you would be stuck wondering how potato salad connected to Riverside Park, and you’d never get an answer.
In imagining both sides, you do a few things in your writing:
A) You connect the dots—Lay out exactly what you mean and what
the reader should take away from your source information. Is a percentage high
or low on average? What does it mean? Make sure to fill these gaps.
We have some great information and examples of how to employ this strategy on this page about using evidence
B) You are specific—It may
seem perfectly clear to you that by “my organization” you mean Mercy Hospital,
but your reader has no way of knowing that information , so be sure to specify
whenever possible.
C) You explain why—Make
sure you let a reader know why
something is important. Don’t just say something needs to happen or knowledge
is important—explain why so they have the same understanding as you do.
Imagine
Yourself
Sometimes it can be helpful to imagine that you are writing
instructions, directions, or explanations for your future self. Think about
writing to yourself ten years from now, for example—you’ll have probably
forgotten the exact research, ideas, and conclusions you had. So be really
detailed in order to help your future self out! Your future self will likely
have an advanced degree, so you still want to impress them with citations,
insight, and scholarly tone.
With these tips in mind, you can use aspects of a
conversation to enhance your audience’s comprehension of your work! Have
comments, questions, or strategies to approaching your written work with your
audience in mind? Let us know below!
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