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Unit 6 Writer's block

Learning outcomes

By the end of this unit you should:

  • understand the need for multiple drafts
  • know to focus on content before grammar
  • understand the writing schedule
  • have written 300 words in under 12 minutes
Rubik

Activity 1 Writing schedule

Read.

Do you find it difficult to start writing? If you have a pen and paper, but can writing nothing, you have writer's block. If you open your text editor, and type nothing, you have writer's block. There are many ways of overcoming writer's block. The proposed writing schedule is designed to help you get started.

Writing a graduation thesis takes time. Writing a graduation thesis in English takes more time. Many people find it difficult to start writing. This unit is aimed at making sure you can finish your graduation thesis on time. We adopt a systematic approach involving multiple drafts. The writing schedule is given below:

  1. LateX template: Formated with tex, bib and png/eps files
  2. Bullet point outline: Headings, subheadings and lists
  3. Speed draft: Rough draft in Japanese and/or English
  4. Rough draft: Rough draft in English
  5. Revised draft: Draft incorporating feedback received on rough draft
  6. Polished draft: Edited and proofread draft

This is a list of six drafts, but there may be more drafts between the rough to polished draft.

needs analysis

Activity 2 LaTeX template

Read.

It is sometimes difficult to control the positioning of figures and tables in documents. LaTeX is a very powerful document preparation system that makes it very easy to position and format images, equations, etc.

Activity 3 Bullet point outline

Read.

The aim of the bullet point draft is to create a structure. First, you create the subheadings. The most common section headings related to the TNT lab are: Introduction, Background, Related works, Development, Evaluation, Conclusion and References. Sections that include multiple paragraphs may be further divided into sub-sections. In the bullet point draft, the aim is to decide generally what to include in which section. An example first bullet point draft of an introduction is given below:

  • Attention-getting hook
  • Problem statement
  • Research aim
  • Overview

Activity 4 Speed draft

Read.

The aim of the speed draft is to write a complete draft of the graduation thesis without stopping. As you will be writing this draft before you have completed your research, it will not be possible to provide specific details, but you can write you best guess. Naturally, in the final submission, the best guess must be replaced with accurate specific details. In the speed draft, you can write in either Japanese or English or both.

Activity 5 Rough draft

Read.

This is the first draft that must be completely in English. In this draft, the aim is to ensure that the content is clear. At this stage, the superficial details, such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation are not important. What is important is that readers can understand what was done, how it was done, what the results are, and why they are important. The focus is on meaning. This is not the time for grammar-checking. This is the time for fact-checking.

Activity 6 Revised draft

Read.

The focus of the revised draft is on meaning. In this draft, you act on feedback received on your rough draft. The aim is to make sure that this revised draft is clear and concise.

Activity 7 Polished draft

Read.

The focus of this draft is on accuracy and formality. The text needs to be spellchecked and grammar-checked to ensure its accuracy. The choice of words needs to be checked to ensure that informal terms are replaced by formal terms.

Knowledge and application

Activity 8 Speed drafting

Write 300 words in English on any topic. Submit the writing in the general channel on Slack.

Other students may read and comment on your topic. The topic should be one that you know well. With a typing speed of 100 words per minute, it will take 3 minutes. My typing speed is around 50 words per minute so it should take me 6 minutes. Even with a very slow typing speed of 25 words per minute it should only take 12 minutes.

mindmap

Source: Medium

Review

Make sure you know the meaning of the following terms:

  1. outline
  2. speed draft
  3. rough draft
  4. revised draft
  5. polished draft