Writing for Academic Journals

Writing for Academic Journals Synopsis

• What does publishing in academic journals involve?

• What constitutes good academic writing?

• What is a productive academic writing process?

Busy academics must develop productive writing practices quickly. No one has time for trial and error. To pass external tests of research output we must write to a high standard while juggling other professional tasks. This may mean changing writing behaviours.

Writing for Academic Journals draws on current research and theory to provide new knowledge on writing across the disciplines. Drawing on her extensive experience of running writing workshops and working closely with academics on developing writing, Rowena Murray offers a host of practical and tested strategies for good academic writing:

• Providing more than 'hints and tips', this book helps readers develop understanding of how writing happens, what good writing looks and feels like, what gets published and what does not and why
• Combines all dimensions involved in writing: rhetorical, behavioural and psycho-social
• Analyses successful published examples
• Uses boxes, checklists and bullets to vary the pace of reading and facilitate learning of key points
• Makes it clear why some practices fail and others succeed
• Helps academics and aspiring academics overcome writing barriers and blocks.

Reviews and endorsements:

This approach provides scientists with a systematic step-by-step method of producing a paper for publication. The approach streamlines the process and provides strategies for overcoming barriers. Feedback from the professions using the approach was excellent:

- "I have totally changed my approach to writing an article".

- "I feel more productive and in control of my writing."

- "The strategies of "snack" writing and writing in small sections has allowed me to progress."

Dr Mary Newton, Practice Development Facilitator, Physiotherapy Department, Greater Glasgow Primary Care NHS Trust, UK

Rowena Murray's book is extremely useful for new lecturers. This book provides guidance, strategies and tips for all of the different writing tasks that make up the process of writing a paper. Whether writing the first draft or the final draft, this book enables and inspires academics to develop their own writing strategies and goals.

Lorna Gillies, Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Leicester, UK

Our experience is that Rowena's practical approach works for busy academic staff. Not only does it enable them to increase their publication output and meet deadlines, but it boosts enthusiasm for writing and stimulates creative thinking. "Get on that course!" is what our academics say to each other about Rowena's Writing for Publication programme.

Kate Morss, Director, Centre for Academic Practice, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh, UK