A Scientist's Guide to Writing

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their effective writing process developed through years of experience as a student and PhD researcher. They emphasize the importance of organizing research and gathering evidence before starting to write, using tools like brain dumps, reference managers, and mind maps. The speaker discusses the importance of creating a strong narrative structure and using techniques such as Pomodoro sessions and reverse outlining to draft and refine papers. Additionally, they share tips on overcoming writer's block and staying open to feedback throughout the writing process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Writing can be a struggle, with many facing challenges like staring at a blank screen or deleting large chunks of work.
• 😀 Developing a personalized writing method can help ease the process and make it more efficient.
• 😀 A big 'brain dump' or unstructured document can be a useful starting point for any writing project, especially when gathering research or evidence.
• 😀 A large, unstructured document allows for free thinking and avoids prematurely editing or shaping the narrative.
• 😀 Use a reference manager (e.g., Zotero) to collect and organize relevant papers for your research, which can number from 50 to 100 or more.
• 😀 Structure and argument crafting take up the most time in the writing process, accounting for 60-80% of the overall work.
• 😀 Looking at examples of well-written papers can be helpful, especially for early-stage writers, to understand effective argument structure.
• 😀 Presenting the argument visually, such as through PowerPoints or whiteboard diagrams, can clarify the narrative structure and make writing easier.
• 😀 Speed writing a first draft helps overcome perfectionism and allows you to receive early feedback for improvement.
• 😀 Reverse outlining—reconsidering the structure of your argument—helps refine the narrative and ensures logical flow.
• 😀 Grammar checking and citation management tools (e.g., Grammarly, Zotero) are essential for finalizing your paper and ensuring compliance with submission guidelines.
• 😀 Avoid getting overly attached to your first draft, as it will likely undergo multiple revisions based on feedback from professors or colleagues.
• 😀 If you're stuck with writer's block, consider freewriting or rewriting a section to get back into the flow of writing.
• 😀 Keeping a writing log helps track what works in your writing process, such as which environments help you focus best.

Q & A

What is the initial step in the writer's method described in the script?

The first step in the writer's method is to do a big brain dump, where they collect all the research and results related to the project in a single unstructured document. This includes any writing, pictures, and notes, similar to a lab notebook.

Why is the brain dump document kept unstructured?

The document is kept unstructured to avoid prematurely editing the material, which could disrupt the narrative and results. It’s intended to be a pure record of the research process.

How long do these brain dump documents typically become?

These documents can range between 50 to 100 pages, especially for larger PhD projects, but for smaller projects like Master's or Bachelor's, they could be shorter.

What is the role of reference managers like Zotero in the writing process?

Reference managers like Zotero are used to collect and organize research papers. The writer gathers between 50 to 100 papers for a typical research project, or over 150 for a review, to support their arguments.

How does the writer suggest structuring the argument in a paper?

The writer suggests using examples of well-written papers to understand the structure. By highlighting the first sentence of each paragraph, you can map out the entire structure of the paper and use it to guide your own narrative.

What is the importance of creating a narrative or argument skeleton before starting to write?

Creating a narrative skeleton is crucial because it forms the framework for the paper. It helps structure the argument logically and saves time during the actual writing process, which accounts for a smaller portion of the overall writing time.

What technique does the writer recommend for writing a first draft quickly?

The writer recommends speed writing, where you write as fast as possible without getting bogged down by editing. This allows for the creation of a minimal viable product that can be revised later with feedback from colleagues and professors.

How does the writer incorporate feedback into the writing process?

The writer seeks feedback from professors and colleagues after completing a first draft. This feedback helps refine the argument and improve the paper. The writer also uses a reverse outlining technique to adjust the structure based on feedback.

What tools are suggested for grammar and citation checking?

For grammar checking, the writer uses tools like Grammarly and also seeks feedback from native speakers. For citations, they rely on reference managers like Zotero to ensure proper citation style according to the target journal.

What is reverse outlining and how does it help in the writing process?

Reverse outlining involves reviewing the first sentence of each paragraph to ensure the overall structure makes sense. If something doesn't fit, paragraphs can be moved or deleted. This helps to refine and adjust the paper's argument during the drafting phase.