Title: Simultaneous Writing and Reading Process
In the world of academic research, the process of writing a thesis can be a daunting task. One writer, faced with this challenge over the summer, found themselves hesitant to start writing too soon. This apprehension led to a valuable conversation with their Junior Professor (JP) adviser, who offered invaluable advice on how to approach the project.
The adviser suggested a balanced approach to a research project, recommending that roughly 3:2:1 of the time should be dedicated to reading, writing, and editing respectively. This means around 50% of the effort should be spent on deeply engaging with literature, data, and background, 30-35% on drafting the text to communicate ideas, and 15-20% on revising for clarity, accuracy, and style.
This ratio is designed to ensure that understanding guides writing, while editing refines without replacing the foundational grasp of the material. The adviser cautioned against overusing editing tools, implying that extensive reading and writing are essential first steps before editing carefully.
However, the writer discovered that they had way too much material for their background section and almost nothing for their third chapter. This predicament led to a realisation that the writer should treat reading, writing, and editing as parts of a cycle, not as macro chronological steps.
Writing can also transform a dauntingly empty Word document into a solid early draft with minimal extra effort. The writer found it beneficial to start putting the information they read directly into their draft, even if it belongs in a chapter they haven't started yet. This practice can help clarify what needs to be read next in a research project.
Moreover, writing and editing are considered part of the research process, not just its end products. The writer realised that they had written pages and pages of notes but had made very little progress on their actual argument. Starting to write immediately, even before fully processing the argument or evidence, applies equally well to smaller writing projects.
When on a time crunch for shorter research papers, the practice of starting to write immediately is particularly beneficial. The writer found that this approach helped them make significant progress, despite the constraints of a tight deadline.
In conclusion, striking a balance between reading, writing, and editing is crucial in academic writing. By following this advice, the writer was able to make steady progress on their thesis, turning a daunting task into a manageable one.
Despite the initial apprehension, the writer learned that the process of writing a senior thesis isn't solely about writing but also encompasses independent work such as reading, learning, and editing. To create a well-rounded junior paper, the writer should strive for a balanced approach, dedicating 50% of the effort to reading and absorbing literature, data, and background, 30-35% to drafting ideas coherently, and 15-20% to refining the work for clarity, accuracy, and style.
