Need help with your writing? You’re not alone

@MaliniDevadas

Dr Malini Devadas is an academic writing coach. She gives free monthly webinars on various aspects of academic writing and also runs her Academic Writing Community, a place where academics can develop confidence in their academic writing.

There’s an idea floating around that academics should just be able to write a journal article or grant application without the need for any assistance or guidance, particularly if English is their first language. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy when they get negative feedback on their writing.

For the past 10 years (up until the pandemic), I have been giving writing workshops for EMCRs and graduate students at universities around Australia. At the start of each workshop I ask people about their biggest struggle when it comes to academic writing. The answers from every group are pretty much the same, with a big issue being a lack of confidence. For a lot of workshop participants, this introductory exercise is hugely valuable as they suddenly realise that they are not alone in how they are feeling. For many people, it is simply a relief to express their insecurities without judgement.

The reality is that even professional writers work with lots of people along the path to getting their work published. So, if it’s good enough for a best-selling author to be edited, why is it that academics think their writing won’t benefit from editorial intervention or some other kind of support?

Why academics don’t seek support

I think part of the problem is that most people outside of publishing don’t understand what editing is. Many people think that editors only fix grammar, spelling and punctuation errors. But in fact, an editor can help ensure that a document is logical, complete, clear, concise and compelling (as well being as close to error-free as is humanly possible). It is really hard to edit our own work, as we tend to see what we meant to say rather than what is on the page. Having a ‘second pair of eyes’ on your text will make it easier to determine if the reader will understand it and, just as importantly, enjoy reading it.

The second issue is that editors are stereotyped as nit-picking, unkind people who take pleasure in pointing out flaws in their clients’ work. This can make the idea of working with an editor distinctly unappealing. But the reality is that a good editor works with their client in a partnership and supports the author to help them create the best piece of writing possible. They are there to boost the morale of the writer, not do the opposite. 

The final problem is that it seems to be taboo to admit that you have received help with your writing. As a writing coach, I have worked with academics to help them find their confidence, make time to write, or get their document into a logical structure. I know they enjoy working with me and find it beneficial. But I also know that they are hesitant to tell others that they have worked with a coach, lest they be judged in a negative way.

Top tips for improving your writing

So, what can you do right now to improve your writing? 

• Learn skills and strategies. I encourage you to learn as much as you can about the writing process. But bear in mind that there is no one ‘right’ way to write; you won’t know which strategies work best for you unless you try them. Make sure you implement what you have learnt rather than simply acquiring more and more theoretical knowledge.
• Read widely in your field. Read not just for content but also to note the style of writing being used in your discipline. I always encourage academics to be true to their own voice, but being aware of what style of writing is acceptable in the journal where you want to publish is useful knowledge to have.
• Do some writing and do it often. I encourage academics to write every day by doing a focused 30-minute sprint. It is easier to find short bursts of time rather than a longer stretch, not to mention that most people cannot concentrate on one thing for 4 hours!
• Ask for feedback. Yes, it’s scary to get feedback. And not everyone is skilled in the art of diplomacy. If you can, find a writing buddy and give each other feedback in a constructive manner. Editing other people’s work is a great way to improve your own writing skills.
• Hire a professional. There are plenty of editors and writing coaches who specialise in academic work. If you have the budget, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much better your writing can sound with some expert assistance, not to mention the time you can save.

Practice makes progress

Writing is a skill that everyone can get better at, with practice. And, like all skills, it is quicker and easier to get better with some instruction or feedback from a professional.

If you think you could benefit from some writing support, I’d love to hear from you. Even if I am not able to help you myself (these days I rarely take on editing jobs), I can definitely help to find the right expert for you.