22 Academic Lessons

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I learned 22 academic writing lessons the hard way. Here they are to celebrate the end of 2022: ↓

But why listen to me? - Built an online writing course for #chi2023 authors in 2022 - Have taught this writing course for 6+ years at conferences and other venues - Over 27,000 citations to my research - Publish 3+ papers every year at high-impact HCI venues

Alright, here we go. Lesson 1 🔴 Academic writing isn't just about publishing. 🟢 Academic writing is a way to share your knowledge with the world.

Lesson 2 🔴 Only the accuracy and facts of your writing matter. 🟢 The clarity and precision of your writing reflect the depth of your thinking.

Lesson 3 🔴 Never challenge existing facts and conventional wisdom. 🟢 Don't be afraid to challenge conventional wisdom in your writing.

Lesson 4 🔴 Every insight comes from existing literature. 🟢 Every research question is an opportunity for new insights.

Lesson 5 🔴 You have to get your writing right the first time you submit. 🟢 Effective academic writing involves ongoing revision and improvement.

Lesson 6 🔴 The best academic writing is driven by format and impassionate writing style. 🟢 The best academic writing is driven by curiosity and a desire to make a difference.

Lesson 7 🔴 You write for your peers to build on your research. 🟢 Your writing should be accessible to a broad audience.

Lesson 8 🔴 You should use exotic terminology to make yourself sound brilliant. 🟢 Your writing should be clear and concise, not verbose or jargon-filled.

Lesson 9 🔴 Effective academic writing needs time crunch and a deadline. 🟢 Effective academic writing requires discipline and focus.

Lesson 10 🔴 Your writing should shake up existing content structures. 🟢 Your writing should be well-organized and logical, following the IMRD (introduction, methods, results, discussion) structure.

Lesson 11 🔴 You can frame your evidence even with non-credible sources. 🟢 Your writing should be supported by evidence and credible sources.

Lesson 12 🔴 You can water down all of your ideas to the basics. 🟢 The structure of your writing should reflect the complexity of your ideas.

Lesson 13 🔴 You don't need to proofread your manuscript, just get it done and submitted. 🟢 Effective academic writing requires careful proofreading & editing.

Lesson 14 🔴 Your results can just confirm existing research. 🟢 Maybe, but your writing should contribute something new to the conversation.

Lesson 15 🔴 Language does not matter as much as content. 🟢 The language you use in your writing should be appropriate, active, and professional.

Lesson 16 🔴 Great results require hyperbolic writing to state the importance. 🟢 The tone of your writing should be respectful and unbiased.

Lesson 17 🔴 You can always catch your mistakes in the camera-ready version. 🟢 Your writing should be free of errors and mistakes as much as possible for the first submission.

Lesson 18 🔴 You can write using the same style for different disciplines and fields. 🟢 Your writing style should be appropriate for your audience and purpose.

Lesson 19 🔴 Effective academic writing is not creative. 🟢 Effective academic writing requires a balance between formality and creativity.

Lesson 20 🔴 Your writing should just be formal. 🟢 Your writing should be engaging and inspiring.

Lesson 21 🔴 Writing is done alone. 🟢 Writing is a collaborative effort that involves feedback and input from others.

Lesson 22 🔴 Your writing should not have personality. 🟢 Your writing should reflect your passion and dedication to your field.

That's a wrap. Thanks for your time. If you liked this, give it a RT and follow me @acagamic to learn more about games, UX research, and writing. twitter.com/acagamic/status/1609217648369467393