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This is an exemplary AI statement one of my students included in their MA thesis (used with permission).

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This is Prof. Dr. Theresa Heyd's AI statement for her students and (post)doctoral researchers. She makes so many important points that I asked her if I could steal it instead of writing my own (thank you!). Please read it carefully and think about her arguments before our class on academic writing.

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term paper checklist: CHECK BEFORE SUBMITTING

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term paper checklist: CHECK BEFORE SUBMITTING

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This is a collection of the criteria that your writing has to fulfill & common mistakes you can easily avoid. You can simply check off the boxes when writing & before submitting!

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Please read this document if you want to write your final thesis with me.

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Do you have links or apps that have helped you along in your writing process in the past? Share them with me!

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Writing a Term Paper in English and American Literary Studies

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Writing a Term Paper in English and American Literary Studies

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Ideally, your thesis evolves from your expert session or from class discussions more generally (i.e. an aspect that you want to explore in more detail). This means that you should take the topic of the class seriously - the seminar is the foundation for your term paper!

FAQs:

Can I write about a text we have not discussed in class? Yes, of course - if you have discussed it with me and I have greenlighted the text/your topic.

Do I have to hand in an abstract? No, but if you want to have feedback on your research question, your thesis, and/or the structure of your paper, an abstract is the best option to get some.

Can I write about an American text/American culture? As a general rule, no - I am a professor of English literature, this is what I teach & where my area of expertise is. But there are grey areas (such as film adaptations, for instance), so do talk to me about your ideas.

Can I write about the ELT classroom? No - this is not my area of expertise at all.

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The Purdue OWL Writing Lab offers clear and comprehensive guides on difference styles of referencing (such as MLA or APA).

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We are a globally renowned resource that provides assistance with English to students, teachers, professionals, and organizations across the world. Our goal is to assist clients in their development as writers - no matter their skill level.

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Purdue OWL® - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University

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We are a globally renowned resource that provides assistance with English to students, teachers, professionals, and organizations across the world. Our goal is to assist clients in their development as writers - no matter their skill level.

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[only for term paper/B.A.-thesis/M.A.-thesis session in ongoing classes]

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Please analyse this abstract, think about what an abstract is supposed to achieve as an academic genre, then try to write your own and send it to me for feedback.
[only for term paper/B.A.-thesis/M.A.-thesis session in ongoing classes]

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Getting started, breaking blocks, and keeping the flow - by Prof. Irina Dumitrescu (Bonn University)

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Different things work for different people. Not all of these work for me, but they might work for someone else. I think a lot of the skill of writing is figuring out what process suits you and the project at hand. The categories below are rough - many of the ideas could just as well fit under another heading. I have not sourced all of these ideas, but have tried to do so here and there.

Please share the link to this page with anyone who might find it useful. If you teach and you want to use or adapt the material below for your students, go right ahead. If you adapt this post for your site, please attribute & link back.

And most importantly - if you have tips to add, put them in the comments! I may revise this post later with more advice.

Happy writing everyone,

Irina

* Set a timer for 25 minutes and resolve to do nothing but write in that time. I use https://tomato-timer.com/

* Cover your computer screen, then write

* Set a ridiculously low expectation for each day: write 3 sentences, and you're done for the day!

* Sketch out a rough outline - could be in constellation form if you don't think in linear terms

* Aim for a "zero draft" aka "shitty first draft" - just absolute vomit on the page that you can reshape or rewrite later

* Pick something to describe, and just focus on describing it

* Write in a silly font that lowers the stakes - try Comic Sans

* Make a big list breaking down all the components you need to do for the project, then cross them out as you go

* Do what you can in the time you have: gather biblio, take notes, freewrite, if you can't produce "good" prose

* Break up the process: mark up your readings, copy out notes by hand (& comment), type up notes and your comments, etc.

* Try to connect with your project on a regular basis, even if it's not a big chunk of work. "Connect" can even mean reading over some material.

* Jump around in the project: write what you feel like writing, not in order!

* Keep a log of what you've done each day, not what you have left to do

* Decide each night what your biggest goals are for the next day. No more than 3.

* Write an email to a friend outlining your thoughts in progress. It can be as messy as you like

* Join the free Writer's Hour on zoom: https://writershour.com/

* Stop writing each day before you're exhausted - and leave some notes for yourself on what to do next

* Keep a writing journal: write down goals for the writing session at start, afterwards see how you did and write what you want to do next

* Read what you wrote before and do light edits, tweaks, until your brain starts connecting with the work again

* Talk to yourself on paper: write out "what I'm trying to do is....", "What I think the problem might be here is...", "What I want to say is this:" and see what comes out.

* Reread your material just before going to bed, let your subconscious work on it

* Restart in a different part of the work

* Print out what you have (notes, outline, partial drafts) and read them, pen in hand, marking them up

* Take notes in your phone - you can send yourself emails, or record a WhatsApp message

* If you're writing about literature, reread it!

* Go for a walk. Take a notebook with you!

* Take a lot of showers.

* Make a list of smallest possible sections, cut up into slips and put in jar. Pull one out at random and write about it for 1 pomodoro (25 min)

* Set a Skype/Zoom date with a friend to write together. Talk about what your plans are, set your timer, then turn off camera and sound and write. Chat about how it went at the end

* Try writing when you're a bit tired and your inner critic is off (if you're a night owl, write in the morning, and vice versa)

* Write down a list of reasons not to do this project. Now write the reasons that you should.

* Write down a list of reasons you should do this project.

* Listen to music

* Do something creative - watch a movie, go to an art gallery, draw, walk through a fun store, dance, etc. (Julia Cameron calls this an "artist's date".)

* Switch up the writing! Write by hand if you usually type, change the pen, try a typewriter, etc.

* Keep log of work done (could be words written, or time worked). Sometimes it helps to see how much you've actually done!

* Count every step as writing (notes, outlining, freewriting, revision)

* Focus on "connecting" with project rather than how much you're progressing

* Set ridiculously low goals and remind yourself you're ok with just meeting those

* Celebrate both big and small goals - formally, not just in your head

* Find a friend who is an ideal reader - not a critic - for early drafts

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Getting started, breaking blocks, and keeping the flow

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...as your obvious starting point!

Note that books/articles you have to order via interlibrary loan (BVB) might take a couple of days to arrive.

common catalogue

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Die Universitätsbibliothek ist als zentrale Einrichtung verantwortlich für die Literatur- und Informationsversorgung der Universität in Forschung und Lehre. Darüber hinaus steht sie für wissenschaftliche und berufliche Zwecke sowie für Aus- und Fortbildung allen Interessierten zur Verfügung.

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Die Universitätsbibliothek Bamberg ist verantwortlich für die Literatur- und Informationsversorgung der Universität in Forschung und Lehre

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The MLA is most important bibliography for academic books & articles in English and American Studies. It should definitely be one of the first databases to consult (ideally the starting point), especially as entries tend to be peer reviewed.

You can access the MLA via the university library's DBIS (Datenbank Infosystem). It is one of the top databases in the English and American Studies section.

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Nutzen Sie die vereinfachte Abfragesyntax (‘+’ = AND, ‘|’ = OR, ‘“Phrase”’, etc.), um die Suche zu erweitern oder einzuschränken.

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JSTOR is a digital library of academic journals, books, and primary sources.

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https://www.zotero.org/
Zotero is free and open source - you can also use Citavi or Endnote.
(Note: In the KO, we will talk about Zotero & other research/literature managers.)

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Just need to create a quick bibliography?

Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share research.
Download
Available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS

Just need to create a quick bibliography? Try ZoteroBib.

Collect with a click.

Zotero automatically senses research as you browse the web. Need an article from JSTOR or a preprint from arXiv.org? A news story from the New York Times or a book from a library? Zotero has you covered, everywhere.

Organize your way.

Zotero helps you organize your research any way you want. You can sort items into collections and tag them with keywords. Or create saved searches that automatically fill with relevant materials as you work.

Cite in style.

Zotero instantly creates references and bibliographies for any text editor, and directly inside Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs. With support for over 10,000 citation styles, you can format your work to match any style guide or publication.

Stay in sync.

Zotero can optionally synchronize your data across devices, keeping your files, notes, and bibliographic records seamlessly up to date. If you decide to sync, you can also always access your research from any web browser.

Collaborate freely.

Zotero lets you co-write a paper with a colleague, distribute course materials to students, or build a collaborative bibliography. You can share a Zotero library with as many people you like, at no cost.

Rest easy.

Zotero is open source and developed by an independent, nonprofit organization that has no financial interest in your private information. With Zotero, you always stay in control of your own data.

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Zotero | Your personal research assistant

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Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share research.

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Note that supervision usually entails 3 meetings (more only if you are stuck/have urgent questions).

first meeting: We discuss your ideas and agree on a topic.

You write an abstract (which includes your research question & your thesis) and email it to me. You will receive feedback via email.

second meeting: We discuss your abstract (if necessary) and a table of contents. You are now good to go!

You register your thesis with the Examinations Office. You research secondary material, read it, and start writing your final thesis.

third meeting: We talk about your writing progress and any problems you might have come across. [If you do not need this third meeting that's ok. If you need more than 3 meetings that ok as well, of course.]

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A programme to organise notes, pdfs, pics - and writing (it's not free, but there is a 30-day trial). If you use Microsoft Office, you might also want to have a look at OneNote.

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#1 Novel & Book Writing Software For Writers

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Discover the #1 novel & book writing software for writers! Streamline your writing process with powerful tools designed to help organize, edit, & bring your story to life.

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https://www.connectedpapers.com/

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Connected Papers | Find and explore academic papers

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Connected Papers is a visual tool to help researchers and applied scientists find academic papers relevant to their field of work.