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.
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