COM600 Graduate-Level Writing Paper -Individual Graduate-Level Writing Paper

Graduate-Level Writing Paper
Catherine Whitaker
COM/600


Graduate-Level Writing Paper
Graduate-level writing can be one of the most important elements in one's academic program. Discovering the best possible techniques and methods to successfully and efficiently write at this academic level will become a distinct benefit. Learning and understanding key elements to effective writing as well as managing time and balancing school-life relationships and activities will aid in achieving a higher level of success and wellbeing. Graduate programs, when approached with the appropriate tools, can be enjoyable and rewarding.
Characteristics and Differences
"Write what matters. If you don't care about what you're writing, neither will your readers". – Judy Reeves as quoted in Effective Writing in Psychology 2nd Ed. 2012 (Beins, 2012).
It is a common opinion that scientific writing is dry, dull, and difficult to understand. And this may be the case in earlier writing of this type. However, it is not necessarily true today. It is possible to clearly and concisely convey important information while maintaining a flow and readability that will not discourage the reader.
"When you write about psychology or any of the other scientific field, you are telling a story about people" (Beins, 2012). As human creatures we are all interconnected in the scientific arena and therefore psychological writing is certainly telling the story of people. It is the choice of the graduate student to create this 'story' in such a way that is informative yet entirely readable. As psychology is the advocate of the human experience, so the graduate student, researcher, instructor, and professional are the protectors of this story. And as protectors we are charged with clearly and carefully communicating pertinent information in a way that will advance our human story.
"It would be hard to overstate how important it is to write effectively" (Beins, 2012). Writing effectively may mean one thing to one person and something to another outside of the scientific arena. However, there are specific guidelines for those writing in the sciences to aid in producing a uniform way of writing that can be recognized and understood by all professionals within the scientific community. Therefore, it is vital to the graduate student to acquaint one's self with these guidelines and key elements.
"Many companies noted that writing was important in hiring. Potential employees who do not write well are unlikely to be hired and, if they are unlikely to be promoted" (Beins, 2012). While this statement refers specifically to the professional world, it is important for the graduate student to understand the long-reaching impact that effective writing will have on obtaining a job and maintaining it successfully.
The type of writing that you learn in psychology provides the same skills that will help advance your career. You develop clarity and logic in your ideas, along with a style that will engage the reader (Beins, 2012).
How Psychological writing differs from other writing:
Unlike literary writing or artistic prose, scientific writing should be straightforward and unambiguous, focusing on the specific content of the message, report, or research. Other forms of writing may emphasize crafting artistic prose and impressing the reader with content and style, however scientific writing should convey specific information with precision, minimizing ambiguity and the possibility of misunderstanding.
This style of writing is clear and concise without omitting important information; it engages the reader without obscuring the point or sounding repetitive. Scientific writing attempts to persuade the reader are by making credible and well supported arguments.
Another difference from other types of writings is apparent in that scientific writing requires vocabulary or nomenclature specific to the topic. These specific terms and vocabulary will be understood commonly by those in the field of study. As well as specific terms, psychology, sociology, education, and nursing fields require the use of APA style writing form and include seven distinct sections: Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, and Reference. (Beins, 2012)
Elements Outlined
Written communication is, if described critically, unnatural to human creatures. We are oral and physical communicators by instinct. We were not born striving to put pen to paper, however effective and efficient written communication has come to play an integral role in our daily lives. it is critical that science professionals understand the necessity of effective and efficient written communication and follow distinct guidelines.
Some of these guidelines include: Structured presentation of information with detail which allows the reader to go back and review the background cited, methodology, and evaluate results and discover conclusions. Efficient scientific writing is free of colloquial or informal expressions and is entirely grammatical. And the wording is carefully chosen for best content and meaning.
Plagiarism
According to iParadigms, LLC, (2014); the Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines plagiarism as: stealing and passing off the words of another as one's own, using another's production without crediting the source, committing literary theft, and presenting as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.
Steps to avoid plagiarism include:
When in doubt ask. Ask instructors, consult guidelines for citing sources appropriately, and then follow the advice and guidelines.
Although accidental plagiarism can occur when the cultural conventions of academic writing and citation are not fully understood, in most western countries and the United States it is understood that writers 'own' their ideas and words used to express those ideas (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2016).
Flagler College offers five tips to Avoiding Plagiarism; use your own ideas, use the ideas of others sparingly – to support or reinforce your own argument, include complete citation information for each item used in notes/outline, use quotation marks when directly stating another person's words, and begin by writing a quick outline without notes or using resource material to formulate one's own general ideas and argument (Flagler College, 2016).
School – Life Balance
In all things the by-word is balance. In work-life, relationships, finances, goalsetting, as well as academic life there is a need for balance. Graduate school or higher education is no different. To be successful, happy and achieve goals there must be a modicum of balance.
According to SAGE Publications, Inc., (2012); graduate school 'super-stars' have strong GPA's and GRE scores as well as; visibility, hard work, reflection of the graduate program's values, attachment to a professor, and have the 'W' factor. The 'W' factor includes being easy to teach, not complaining, and receiving feedback well.
To be successful humans need happiness, contentment, and peace. If these things are sacrificed at the altar of excellent grades where is peace and contentment?
It will be important to balance and divide time between graduate work and family while remaining visible in the program, working hard, reflecting the values of the program, conducting strong research, and embodying the 'W' factor.
Support of family and significant others during graduate school can be a blessing as well as an additional stressor, finding the right balance that allows for focus on academics and on relationships will be the overall success (SAGE Publications, Inc., 2012).
Helping one's support system to understand the need for time, understanding, and support during graduate school while reaffirming a commitment to relationships will help to involve everyone in some way in the graduate student's academic process. This does not propose that the process will be easy, but that it will be a more smooth and rewarding experience for all involved.
It will be important for the student to make time for relaxation as well as academics, for relationships with family and friends as well as academic relationships. Using good time management methods, appropriate and meaningful self-care activities and planning activities will help to maintain a positive balance. Positive self-care activities may include physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual renewal. The well-balanced student will be better able to succeed academically as well as in other aspects of his or her life. Understanding limitations while striving for constant positive growth will exhibit balance.
In closing it can be said that graduate-level education is not for everyone. However for those who have an effective support system, are driven to achieve, are organized and plan carefully there can be success. Much will be required, and much will be given, and the potential for much to be gained is the reason for trying. The graduate student will understand how writing, written communication, plagiarism, and school-life balance can come together to become the building blocks for future career and life success.
References
Beins, B. C. (2012). Effective Writing in Psychology (2nd ed.). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Flagler College. (2016). Five Tips for Avoiding Plagiarism. Retrieved from Flagler.edu: http://www.flagler.edu/library/polaris/mod6/06-tips-plag.html
iParadigms, LLC. (2014). Plagiarism 101. Retrieved from Plagiarism.org: http://www.plagiarism.org/plagiarism-101/prevention/
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (2016). Comparative Media Studies - Writing. Retrieved from CMSW.MIT.EDU: http://cmsw.mit.edu/writing-and-communication-center/avoiding-plagiarism/
SAGE Publications, Inc. (2012). Your Graduate Training in Psychology: Effective Strategies for Success. Thousand Oaks, CA.: SAGE Publications, Inc.














GRADUATE-LEVEL WRITING PAPER
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Running head: GRADUATE-LEVEL WRITING PAPER
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