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| Rob Jacob, Assistant Professor, Environmental Geophysics and Hydrology, Department of Geology |
Writing is a
chore. Writing for a geophysical audience about research to be published as a
manuscript is not meant to be the fun part. Developing the idea for the
research, honing your skills within new and diverse areas of science,
developing equations using physical laws in order to predict an expected
outcome, collecting data in spectacular locations, analyzing/interpreting the
data to develop the results, and comparing the results to the expected outcome
– all of this = excitement, fun, and constant enjoyment. In order to communicate my findings with my
colleagues in science, it is critical to write. Hence, when I am in the final stages of the
gratifying research process, writing begins in my head, with short notes, maybe
even sentences, expressing thoughts toward the final manuscript. The key for me is simple: 1) do not stop
writing, 2) carve out 6+ hours to write, and 3) fake a deadline. I write best when I have enough time to
formulate coherent thoughts and when I’m under pressure - or at least I write
under pressure. When I’m not under
pressure or have only a short amount of time, I plod along, writing quick notes
and only portions of the complete manuscript, or I switch to a new project in
order start the next thrill ride.
Currently, I
am on the west coast of New Zealand working on data collection during the day
and data analysis/interpretation at night to examine the subsurface of an
unexplored glacial feature - icy debris fan - that stores and translates
material to the rapidly retreating glaciers. In addition to this "cool" research,
I am writing this blog (and giving myself a deadline of tonight), and have
several other active projects in various stages of the writing process. Several are in the late intermediate period,
where data has been collected and analysed (yes, in Kiwi - and British - you
spell this with a "s"), and I return to each in short (<20 min)
intervals and write down notes or different ways I can rephrase aspects. I have
one manuscript in final stages of publication, and the next manuscript in the
queue is waiting for a solid block of dedicated time.
In addition
to my three listed tricks, I provide students who conduct research with me or
are looking to improve their writing process several further suggestions: 1)
write early, write often, don't delete - just make a new version until you have
fleshed out the particulars, 2) READ OUT LOUD. Ideally, you do this step a
couple weeks after finalizing a draft – my short term memory will insert words
that aren't there if I read a draft silently or when it is too fresh in my
mind. I have to read out loud or the writing will be rubbish - or close
to it.
Every form of
communication is important, but the more I gain experience communicating to
clients, students, colleagues, administrators, the public, and my children, the
more I realize that writing is different. Writing is expected to be
polished, not abbreviated or left unclear. Eventually, as you gain experience/ voice,
even your spoken words are expected to be polished. And the best way I have
been able to improve my ability to speak in front of an audience (such as a
class or some clients looking for an underground storage tank or sinkhole) is
by improving my written communication.
