One of my students came in the other day to ask a question about the research paper assignment in our graduate class in Cancer Biology.
In speaking with her I realized that she did not know about bibliographic software that allows writers to create reference lists without typing every single one.
That's when it became clear to me that students may not know what tools are out there to help them with the important and rewarding task of academic writing.
These are the tools I can't do without: 1.
A good word processor program.
There are a number of popular software packages for writing and editing documents.
The important thing is not to use any one specific program, but to find the program that works for you and for the people to whom you'll submit.
Look for a program that has a user-interface that is comfortable to you, that has a file output and formatting options that are useful for your field, and that can accommodate the special symbols you might use.
Some useful features to look for include ability to modify document layouts, ability to check spelling and grammar, and ability to work with add-on programs like bibliographies.
2.
A good bibliographic program.
I could not do without my bib program.
The one I use is called EndNote.
It integrates into my word-processor so that I can add in references as I write.
It has a search function that allows me to search within my library, or to connect to online databases in my field and import new references as I need them.
It also accommodates the preferred reference formats of hundreds of academic journals, so it can do all that work for me.
It is incalculable how much time this has saved me.
3.
A dictionary.
Sometimes you just need to look something up.
I have a real paper dictionary within reach of my computer both at home and at work.
It's always better to look up a word or usage than to get back a dry comment in reviews about the odd grammatical error you made.
4.
Scholarly writing requires some background reading to generate a knowledge base and source for comparison with your own thoughts and findings.
For this you need access to reference material - online, physical books, colleagues.
Make sure you have the resources you need and that you know the ropes in your library for requesting reprints or additional sources.
Cite all of your sources - this is part of writing with integrity.
5.
Once you have completed your manuscript the most important resource is a reader.
Find a friend or colleague willing to read your paper, article, or grant before you submit it to its destination.
It helps so much to have a fresh set of eyes look at your work from a friendly perspective and to provide you with some critical feedback that will let you put the finishing touches on your work before it goes before your professor, your committee, an editorial board, or a grant review panel.
If you have these five tools at your disposal, you will have a great start at doing great things in your academic writing.
In speaking with her I realized that she did not know about bibliographic software that allows writers to create reference lists without typing every single one.
That's when it became clear to me that students may not know what tools are out there to help them with the important and rewarding task of academic writing.
These are the tools I can't do without: 1.
A good word processor program.
There are a number of popular software packages for writing and editing documents.
The important thing is not to use any one specific program, but to find the program that works for you and for the people to whom you'll submit.
Look for a program that has a user-interface that is comfortable to you, that has a file output and formatting options that are useful for your field, and that can accommodate the special symbols you might use.
Some useful features to look for include ability to modify document layouts, ability to check spelling and grammar, and ability to work with add-on programs like bibliographies.
2.
A good bibliographic program.
I could not do without my bib program.
The one I use is called EndNote.
It integrates into my word-processor so that I can add in references as I write.
It has a search function that allows me to search within my library, or to connect to online databases in my field and import new references as I need them.
It also accommodates the preferred reference formats of hundreds of academic journals, so it can do all that work for me.
It is incalculable how much time this has saved me.
3.
A dictionary.
Sometimes you just need to look something up.
I have a real paper dictionary within reach of my computer both at home and at work.
It's always better to look up a word or usage than to get back a dry comment in reviews about the odd grammatical error you made.
4.
Scholarly writing requires some background reading to generate a knowledge base and source for comparison with your own thoughts and findings.
For this you need access to reference material - online, physical books, colleagues.
Make sure you have the resources you need and that you know the ropes in your library for requesting reprints or additional sources.
Cite all of your sources - this is part of writing with integrity.
5.
Once you have completed your manuscript the most important resource is a reader.
Find a friend or colleague willing to read your paper, article, or grant before you submit it to its destination.
It helps so much to have a fresh set of eyes look at your work from a friendly perspective and to provide you with some critical feedback that will let you put the finishing touches on your work before it goes before your professor, your committee, an editorial board, or a grant review panel.
If you have these five tools at your disposal, you will have a great start at doing great things in your academic writing.
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