The process of writing can sometimes be a struggle for me; occasionally, I find it difficult to organise my thoughts and generate content, which is why I have found the blogs incredibly helpful.
Don't think, just write!
Just like the workshop that we had last month, I will task myself with just writing about a topic continuously to see what words appear on the page. I try not to think too much and just to see what words come to mind, then afterwards, go back and pick out the best bits; at one time I managed to have roughly 9000 words in the document that has now been condensed down to below the 6050 threshold.
Over the past few weeks, I have knuckled down every day to compose the Research Report for my inquiry portfolio. It has been a strenuous and exhilarating process, and last weekend I submitted the first draft for formative feedback. It feels great. But with 3 weeks to go, I know that I can still make improvements to produce the highest quality piece of writing I can.
Talk, discuss, listen
This week, we had a Skype session about analysis and the synthesis of information, which I found the most challenging part of the Research Report. The technique of writing without thinking has been particularly helpful for this part, and the Skype sessions have been a wonderful addition; it is always reassuring to speak or listen to others that are going through a similar process and finding the same difficulties as you. Although I didn't have. chance to speak, just listening to the others and their ideas or methods was really enlightening. From this week, I have taken away some great points to help with the analysis process:
- Look at the participants backgrounds, not just their point of view.
- Data that isn't mentioned is just as important at the data that is.
- Link the ethical considerations to your professional practice.
- Emerging themes are products of the analysis, not just the preconceived ideas and thoughts.
- Themes can be the participants' feeling and emotions as well as the topics they discuss.
