ENGL221 Introduction to Linguistic Analysis

People research and write in different ways that are dependent on how they process information. In general, there are two personality types when it comes to writing papers. By the way, there does seem to be a 'Mars/Venus' piece to this. More females tend to be holists, more males linearists. I don't know why.

Holists. These folks discover a paper as they research and write, often trusting their unconscious mind to come to discovery along the way. People who write and then...sometimes...outline, discovering what they mean as they go along may not really have a thesis, or any real point at all. Such papers tend to meander, and all too many students stop at the end of their first draft, handing in the resultant stew as if it actually represents a study. Believe me, your professor knows the difference.

Positive: There is room for the discovery process and serendipity up front. The process feels organic to people who work and think this way.

Negative: The paper may sprawl or journey up blind alleys, developing large bulges away from the central argument that look like a bunny eaten by a boa constrictor. If the paper is about the boa, put the bunnies in an appendix or save them in your slush pile for another paper. You may find that some of your explanations belong in the glossary, or chatty footnotes. Outline before the final draft to see if the overall shape and logic of your paper -- its flow -- is working properly. Be SURE to write the introduction and thesis after the conclusion.

Linearists. These folks work from a schedule and an outline, planning first and then writing to fit the plan. People who write from outlines tend to write too little, and to write in a staccato style, as though the paper is a string of headings and little else. Points can go undiscussed and unproven.

Positive: The paper logic is clear and easy to follow. The work stays manageable and efficient. Now, you must step back and ask yourself to what degree the end result was worth the journey. Have you carefully investigated your points and examined the validity of your hypotheses?

Negative: The paper does not say everything it must to make its point or is under researched. Literature review and brainstorm interesting research problems early on. When the topic is delineated too early, the learning curve remains shallow and expectable. Make sure that your research remains dynamic and leave room for surprises. Be careful not to get caught up in making and checking off lovely lists. For you, that's the beginning, not the endpoint of the paper

How to write around your blind spot: Nobody can do it all and it's best not to try.

Find another reader -- A paper buddy who is willing to look at the work. In fact, you may want more than one reader: one for ideas and flow; another for grammar, punctuation, and other mechanics.
Avoid writing everything the night before if at all possible. It is amazing what you will find to improve and fix if you just sleep before the final draft and corrections.
Review: Go back over the logic of your paper, insuring that the points are presented in the best, most logical, order each expert's opinion is fully documented, and each hypothesis and its evidence is fully discussed pro and con.
Know the rules for grammar and punctuation. You can't just punt...particularly if you are in a rush. And, you can't always expect a friend to catch the error.
ALWAYS RUN SPELL CHECK AFTER FINISHING YOUR LAST DRAFT. Even if you ran it earlier, I promise you that errors will have crept in. But, spell check won't fix everything. You need to check for words that are spelled correctly but ... well, just not the right word. You need to be particularly careful of this if (a) you don't read often and have only heard the word spoken, or (b) don't know the term well, as it's particular to the discipline you are learning. In either case, look it up.
Maintain logic, balance, and truth in your conclusion. Be careful that your conclusion is measured and does not get caught up in emotionalism or personality. Just state what you fairly have proven, and if the paper doesn't prove what you thought it might, honestly say so. There's nothing wrong with an inconclusive paper or one that failed to prove it's hypothesis. Finally: never, ever say that you're a better person for having written this paper. You aren't, and those suck up statements just make everybody feel like squirming.

2002; Last revised July 14, 2008
Dr. Bonnie Duncan
bduncan@millersville.edu
1-717-871-2080
English Department
Millersville University
Millersville, PA 17551

Other Contacts:
Millersville Information Technology Help Desk:
1-717-871-2371, 1-800-509-9605

Blackboard Help Desk:
Help Desk # for B' board
1-866-334-9174