Best practices presentation to students, faculty, staff and alumni of the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies.

1. Best Practices Writing and Research School of Continuing StudiesBreakfast ForumSeptember 22, 2011 Daniel Hocutt, M.A.Web Manager, SCSAdjunct Professor, Liberal Arts Carrie Ludovico, M.S.Instruction Librarian, SCSAdjunct Instructor, Liberal Arts

2. Communication is the primary objective of academic & business writing. “Communication.” Merriam-Webster Online. Merriam-Webster. n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2011.

3. Writing is a process that happens to have a product.

4. The process of writing is nearly miraculous: pure idea substantiation. Pure ephemera [idea, thought] converted to substance [written, typed].

5. Drafting extends from initial brainstorm to putting word to paper/computer. Thinking and brainstorming about your topic is DRAFTING. Conducting directed research on your topic is DRAFTING. Talking about your topic is DRAFTING. Outlining or organizing your paper in your head is DRAFTING. Oh, yeah. Writing is DRAFTING, too. “Picture of Drafting and CAD Technology.” Drafting and CAD Technology. Tennessee Technology Center at Crump. n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2011.

6. Writer’s block results from trying to revise and proofread while drafting. Let the words GO and FLOW Fix them later, when the flow subsides When the hurly-burly’s done,When the battle’s lost and won.(Mac. 1.1.3-4) Shakespeare, William. “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” The Riverside Shakespeare. Ed. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1974. Print. 1312-39.

7. REFLECTION will improve your perspective

8. Selecting the “just right” word makes all the difference in communicating. “[I]it seems quite probable that English has more words than most comparable world languages” (“Is it True…”). “If distinct senses were counted, the total [number of English words] would probably approach three quarters of a million” (“How Many Words…”). “Questions about Language.” Oxford Dictionaries Online. Oxford UP. 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011.

9. The primary purpose of research is… To validate your understanding of a topic To convince your reader of the truth of your argument To expand the body of knowledge

10. Research is a Non-Linear Process

11. Research is NOT miraculous Nor is it easy.

12. Feeling overwhelmed?

13. We can help Research Guides Ask a Librarian Research Appointments