studywithheart

[studywithheart]

As I am organizing and writing my thesis, I thought I would share the template I usually follow in order to make my academic writing experience more bearable. I made this myself, learning what worked best for me through (much) trial and error.

I know writing a big paper can feel extremely daunting, but this may be able to help you relax a bit. Once you “fill out” this “template” with all of the information it requires, you’ll realize that all you have to do is write a few paragraphs, weave in some quotes, and you’re good to go! I hope this may be of some benefit to any of you. Good luck with the rest of your semester, darlings! I’m wishing you tons of luck. xx -Jack

How I Organize my Research Papers Before I Write Them:

• Formatting: Headings, pagination, and a (creative) title.

• Thesis: I try to write out a thesis (just one sentence) so I have some foundation to build upon. Usually my theses change or develop as I write—sometimes I change the thesis entirely. Either way, it’s good to at least have some semblance of what you want to write about at the start.

• Organization Outline: I plot out the main topic of each paragraph that way I stay focused while I write. Also that way I can arrange the paragraphs in an order that works most efficiently before I even write the paper. This saves me time instead of trying to blend paragraph topics together in an unnatural way; or not having any idea what some paragraphs should talk about. Here is usually a great place to think up topic sentences you can use later, too!

• Prompt: here is where I type out my prompt for my paper, either given by my professor or one I came up with on my own. I like to keep my prompt closer to the top so I can refer to it throughout my writing to make sure I’m still on the same track.

• Brainstorming: underneath my prompt, I write my initial thoughts—am I arguing? Am I analyzing? What do I want to research? What would make a good idea to focus on? Things like that.

• Research/Academia: After I search through academic and peer reviewed journals, I paste their citation references in this section. That way I can make sure I have enough research (if there is a required minimum), and I can divide my research into categories that I want to address in my paper (so it doesn’t feel too heavy handed in one area only).

• Academic Quotes: I pick out the quotes and research I need to support my thesis here, making sure to organize them in accordance with my citations so I don’t lose track of who wrote what.

• Primary Source Quotes: Here is where I put all of the quotes I think pertain to my thesis from the primary source (book/poem/play/etc). Sometimes I divide the quotes into subcategories, or even color code them, that way I know more smoothly where everything is.

• Works Cited: Finally, I keep a running tally of all of the citations I use so I don’t end up accidentally deleting them (guess how I learned this…ㅜㅜ)

—

And that’s it! Now you just have to write! Everything is organized and ready to go. Start as slow as you need, write that first paragraph, sticking to the topic you assigned to it. Take breaks, come back, and re-read it. Save different drafts if you need to, that way you can always go back and salvage whatever you suddenly need. Enjoy the writing process as much as you can. You are contributing to the academic realm of knowledge and ambition, after all!

[studywithheart]

days at home and at uni.

[studywithheart]

"after all, how can one feel the loss of a thing whose existence one has become unconscious to?"

a wonderful collection of essential and constant truth bombs.

[studywithheart]

september 6, 2024 — brainstorming my new novel, reading articles about women's bodily autonomy and hysteria, re-reading the yellow wallpaper, and sipping my hibiscus tea in the calm hours of the day. the weather finally feels like fall.

[do not repost without credit]

[studywithheart]

A sunny workspace this morning. Sitting down to do some editing after an extra long weekend spent visiting a friend who lives at the seaside— chips on the beach, moseying around vintage shops, a half pint and kissing a framed banksy at the pub, the sea was shining turquoise

[studywithheart]

five recipes for an exciting life (in my opinion)

spending enough time creating things with your hands (baking, drawing, scrapbooking, doodling, crocheting, journaling and so on)

keeping track of things like pretty skies, milestones, happy memories, appointments you're looking forward to

listening to music that genuinely makes you feel happy and energetic

making a habit of reaching out to people in a way that's comfortable to you (i send my dad songs he might like, my friend sends me monthly life updates)

being kind to all your five senses → like investing in a scented candle or essential oil dispenser or body mist, having a soft blanket or socks (or a soft animal to pet), listening to birdsong or the rain, looking at the sky more often, and having your favorite foods enough times

[studywithheart]

[via]

[studywithheart]

[studywithheart]

The Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek, Lebanon, ca. 150 AD. This stunning Roman temple, still very well preserved, is actually larger than the Parthenon of Athens.

Photos courtesy of Varun Shiv Kapur.

[studywithheart]

Frances  

[studywithheart]

I love you, October. I’ve been due a change for a while now.

[studywithheart]

my october so far, as an english masters student in the mountains 🍂

[studywithheart]

Autumn in Cambridge

[studywithheart]

[studywithheart]

alternatives to writing an academic thesis and handing it in for a grade:

- just a really long stroll together with your professor where you talk about all the things you've read and the thoughts and conclusions you've made on this topic

- interpretive dance to illustrate the points you've made and the way you've gotten (t)here

- conceptual art project where you turn in a portfolio of artworks in different medias illustrating the theme of your thesis and the different angles one can look at the issue, could be shown as an exhibition as well

- musical piece where the combination of different tones and harmonies symbolizes different ideas and concepts

[studywithheart]

[studywithheart]