The (Slightly Dull but Ultra-Useful) Things I Wish I’d Known Part 4: Writing

Dec 5

Dec 5 The (Slightly Dull but Ultra-Useful) Things I Wish I’d Known Part 4: Writing

Image: Quill on paper. From: https://unsplash.com/photos/y02jEX_B0O0

This is a short (and hopefully handy!) guide on how to build strong writing habits that will take you through your PhD. No matter which school you find yourself in, you’ll need to have time set aside to write, as well as skills set aside to rely on.

Read on for a whirlwind tour of everything you need to know when it comes to writing.

Ask For Help

Writing can be a daunting task and the most important thing is that there are places, people and systems to help you.

One person you can turn to is Dr. Jennifer Boyle who is the PGR Writing Advisor. She delivers a range of our PGR courses and also provides one-to-one support. One important point to remember is to identify your needs early on, if possible, so you’re not pressed to book a space. Dr. Jennifer Boyle also gives the sage advice to start early and write straight away but remember note-taking is also writing. If you feel you haven’t written but you have screeds of notes, then you have been writing and connecting thoughts and ideas – have faith in yourself!

Another place you can turn to is our wonderful University of Glasgow Library. There are specific college library and support teams who can help you as well as subject advice, guidance and support. If you haven’t already, contact your College Librarian - they have a wealth of knowledge and can point you in the right direction.

Put Systems In Place

Systems are there to help you, make sure you use them. You don’t need index cards or to handwrite anymore (you can if you want, of course) but here are some handy tips for an easier life.

Reference Managers

Have you ever gotten to the end of a piece of writing or chapter and can’t find where you got the quote from? Everyone has done this, even if they won’t admit it and this is why you need to choose a reference manager. Reference managers organise all of your citations and references into one programme. Some will even let you attach a file so you can store the pdf under the reference.

The university provides access to Endnote and you can even take a course on how to use it. There are other options, such as Mendeley and Zotero as well.

The best piece of advice is to try all three out one day, pick one and stick to it. It’ll make writing and referencing easier.

Thesis Formatting

This is a key aspect of your PGR journey as this is your final product. The top tip here is to format it as you go along and attend the course for how to do this. Put in headings as you go along, use styles, add page numbers and references – your future-self will thank you.

Handle Your Storage

Please back-up your work. Please store your work on the cloud. Please do not rely on one copy.

Reread that sentence.

You need to make sure you have an effective storage solution and also handle versions well. There is no point calling something “final draft” and other “final final draft”. Find a system that works for you, some people recommend “version control”. For example, “Portugal Presentation V1”, “Portugal Presentation V2”. Ultimately, the system is unimportant – so long as you have one and you use it.

Plagiarism Checks

This is simply checking for levels of similarity between your writing and others. This is something to do routinely – don’t wait until you have a final thesis! This supports healthy habits and developing strong writing and referencing. You can access Turnitin via the IT Helpdesk.

Join A Study Group

Remember that while your PhD is likely to be your own personal project – it doesn’t have to be a lonely experience. There are a whole host of writing groups, online and in person, like Writefest.

If you haven’t found a writing group to suit you – why not start one with some of your peers? Simply set a pomodoro timer and get started, it’s a great excuse to have coffee and discuss your work.

Start Write Now!

Take some time to process all this advice, a real one-stop shop, and put what you feel is relevant to you into action. Do remember that there are systems, places and people to help you so don’t feel stuck or lost – reach out for help. Remember that you’ve been writing all this time (notes, reports, essays, journals, blogs) – you can do it again!

Rachel Eager is a second year PhD Candidate in Comparative Literature and is the Communications Intern 22/23.