https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g This week you are working on writing your final SLA Research Proposal Paper. Where do you get stuck in doing academic writing? For example, is it the literature review you are working on for your project? What gets in your way? What are some of the best writing tips or strategies that you use or have heard? Post your ideas and/or comment on each other's posts. (ESL 8130 F21) en-us 2021-11-09 14:39:01 UTC 2021-12-17 16:06:47 UTC hello@padlet.com akorns01 https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1882857509 I almost always get writer's block just trying to get started. Getting the juices really flowing is tough for me. Usually it helps if I just write anything and then, even start on a different section to get going. I can edit and revise later.]]> 2021-11-11 01:26:02 UTC https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1882857509 https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1883258861 My writer's block comes at a few different points. I would say one of them is writing the lit review. Looking at all the dense literature for a long time and trying to write something cohesive can become exhausting. I usually take a small break from the task. It could be walking my dogs, cleaning the house, anything that is not revolved around school. I usually take at least an hour break. Then come back. The writers block may come back, but only for a few minutes. Usually I can regain my focus and am able to make progress. ]]> 2021-11-11 04:34:06 UTC https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1883258861 https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1889368485 I always have trouble getting started, always. I've found it really helps me to make an outline in as much detail as possible, then writing becomes just filling in a few sentences for each topic on the outline. Separating the organization and brainstorming process  from  the writing by organizing and brainstorming in the outline first, helps keep me from 'locking up' by trying to do everything at once.  For me, writing is much easier if I am ONLY crafting sentences , not doing everything at once. The outline also makes it easier to see the overall structure of my paper before I begin and ensure that I include enough strong arguments for my conclusions and/or do enough to support the stated purpose of the paper.  I also take frequent breaks to jump on my mini-trampoline. It's impossible to be too serious or self-critical when you are literally jumping up and down between sentences. :)  -Ann G.]]> 2021-11-14 15:46:03 UTC https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1889368485 https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1889562861 When I have no idea how to start my go-to strategy is to start typing anything that is related to my topic. It's usually a bunch of stream of consciousness thoughts and opinions and eventually I spit out a through that seems like a good place to start. I don't delete my free-writing but open a new document to start the paper. Sometimes I go back to the free-writing document to review my thoughts or to begin the process again if I get stuck. 

The only down-side to this strategy is that I tend to have to delete or re-write a lot of content because the writing gets too wordy or off topic. 

Sometimes I won't use a digital document but rather brainstorm ideas on paper. The key is to WRITE. Even if it's not academic or what you need. Eventually you will get warmed up and get what you need. 

I'm sure there are lots of other tools out there, this is just the one that works for me. - Laura]]> 2021-11-14 19:10:38 UTC https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1889562861 kconover01 https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1889987214 2021-11-15 01:48:54 UTC https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1889987214 https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1892744845 I recently wrote a longer research paper in my linguistics class. I think the most time-consuming part of the process was the research and outline development. This was the most difficult part for me because it was the part of the process that involved the most creativity and analysis. Once I had "thought through" what it was that I wanted to say, the writing portion of the process went pretty smootly. Without adequate time spent on the front end part of the process (analyzing the literature and coming up with an outline) I think my writing is less organized and lacking of focus. I also find that I write much better in the morning or evening in smaller increments of time (max. 2 hours or so). -Charlie]]> 2021-11-16 01:26:13 UTC https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1892744845 awalsh112 https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1895761884 Honestly, getting started is the toughest part for me. I outline everything before I start actually writing, so I always procrastinate because I know the toughest part is pulling everything together into that outline. That takes me the longest, and then when I actually write the paper it goes very fast. I have always written papers in this way, so it works for me, but actually making myself sit down and create that outline is the hardest because I like to do it all at once after I have all my notes, and it takes a while. The best writing tip I have is for editing, and that's to read your paper out loud! It's much easier to catch errors that way, I think.]]> 2021-11-17 02:37:11 UTC https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1895761884 https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1953957785 The one part that took me a while to complete was the Methods section. I think it was difficult because it was a new way of writing that I haven't done before. For example, do I say "we" as if it was going to happen with a group of researchers, or do I say "I" because I am the one conducting the research? I also am struggling with in-text APA citations.]]> 2021-12-17 16:06:47 UTC https://padlet.com/bparrish3/rulvsug54y05a43g/wish/1953957785