How to be a better Academic Writer (Beginner) 

My former mentor in undergrad gave me the best advice on academic writing. When their advice wasn't misinformed and annoying unhelpful, it was always hilarious (but that's a subject for another time). One day, I went into his office to present them with my most recent conference paper. My lecturer told me, after reading my grad school application statements, "Do or do not." “There is no such thing as a try."  They were also a big fan of Top Gun and those aviator glasses Tom Cruise wore..(was it Tom Cruise?). I realize now looking back at how uncertain and insecure I was about my future research projects, heck, Im still uncertain as a disabled female in Academia.

 

"Do it or don't do it."
There is no such thing as a try."
Yoda's legendary words to Skywalker the young. 

But what is the significance of Yoda? 

So, what's the deal?

Because I'd done something that all too many young academics do. I'd hedged my bets. 

On the opening page of the paper, the statement "Findings attempt to demonstrate people’s increased medical knowledge, improved bodily knowledge, and a greater sense of patient empowerment between physician and patients, as people speak of ‘The Wise Body’ as a source of truth when medicine fails to provide patients with concrete solutions to physical ailments,” appeared.

How many of you reading this would have given that phrase a second thought. What is it about young academics (and not only young academics, mind you) that makes them define their research as "attempts"? 

Could it be true that they are so insecure? Is there really so much question about the outcome? 

• In this study, I intend to demonstrate that...
• Through such an examination, I will attempt to demonstrate that....
•  I feel that by presenting this argument, I will be able to show that...

Hope?                  Try?                  Believe? 

Why are so many academics starting their studies with such skepticism? And such a lack of self-assurance?

Perhaps you'll argue that these phrasings are just literary conventions with no actual meaning. But why utilize them in the first place? Do you not stand by your findings if you do the study and arrived at them?

Attempts to soften or moderate them using hedging statements only serve to throw doubt on the validity of your findings. You have no right to claim that you accomplished anything if you couldn't truly verify it.

1. Take responsibility for what you've discovered. 
2. Take control of the situation. 
3. Remove these power-sucking terms from every phrase where you encounter them. 

Replace them with the following:

1. In this investigation, I will establish that...
2. Through such an analysis, I will demonstrate that....
3. In establishing this case, I may be able to show that...

 

Stop if you're one of the many graduate students and young academics who have learned to rely on such statements unknowingly, and I'm sure you are. 

They are useless to you. 

They're just another way that junior faculty, particularly women, go out of their way to show deference and demeanor in their writing. And if you want to work in academia, you'll need to let go of your graduate school habits of deference and submission.

Stat. 

  ~JTTT

Listen to the words of Yoda:
“You must unlearn what you have learned…
Try not!
Do! Or do not!
There is no try.”
And may The Force be with you.

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3. Using the FORCE to Write Better (Academically): "Do. Or Do Not. There Is No Try"
4. How To Write a Journal Article Submission Cover Letter