SITUATING YOUR WRITING IN THE REVISION PROCESS
The proposal marks the beginning of your original research, the contribution of which will help foster growth in your academic field. An important component of your proposal is the literature review, the focus of this workshop. There are multiple requirements for writing a successful literature review, and this workshop is aimed at helping you address them.
While Walden University provides a number of resources to help you navigate the process of drafting your literature review, many students find this stage of their academic writing daunting. You may have questions such as:
Which components must be covered in the literature review?
How can I conduct effective literature searches?
How can I effectively synthesize information?
Where can I turn for help?
For this Discussion, you will explore the various resources and guidelines outlined in the Learning Resources for this week for writing the literature review. You will also review the current state of your literature review draft, comparing it to the proposal rubric and template to determine any gaps.
Examining your draft’s status against the literature review requirements will help bring clarity to the focus of your work. This Discussion will also be used to help tailor the individualized feedback provided for your literature review throughout the duration of the workshop.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
To prepare
Review and complete the Student/Program/Chair information and Part 1 (Goals) on Page 1 of the Revision Tracker.
Review the Office of Research and Doctoral Services: Office of Student Research Administration web page and select your specific program of study, and then review the appropriate evaluation documents for the required components of the literature review chapter or section.
Ensuring that you have addressed the required components, examine your draft and identify at least three specific areas of concern about your writing that you would like to address.
Also, consider any particular writing strengths or strategies that may support your writing.
BY DAY 3
Draft an email to your Chair that outlines three areas of concern you have about your writing and that includes a copy of the Revision Tracker with a completed Part 1.
Note: You may choose to reiterate the areas identified in your initial needs assessment or you may include other areas based on initial review of this week’s Learning Resources.
Include the following information:
Identify your goals for this workshop, specifically what you hope to accomplish by taking this workshop.
Identify what concerns you most about writing your literature review. These might include the writing process (e.g., time management, maintaining motivation) and/or writing mechanics (e.g., following APA guidelines, synthesis).
Include specific details about your concerns.
Attach your Revision Tracker with the completed Goals section to your main discussion post.
Note: Do not send your email to your Chair until after receiving feedback by Day 5. You have until Day 7 to revise and send your email.
BY DAY 5
Respond to at least two colleagues’ posts in the following ways:
Provide feedback on the professionalism and clarity of their email.Provide suggestions as to how your colleague might overcome their concerns.
Provide additional insights with similar experiences you might have had and how you managed through the challenges.
Share ways you might support each other throughout the workshop as you each strive to improve your writing.
Return to this Discussion to read the responses to your initial post. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made. If necessary, revise your draft email to your Chair based on feedback and send by Day 7.
Required Readings
Walden University Office of Research and Doctoral Services. (n.d.). Office of Student Research Administration.Links to an external site. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/researchcenter/osra
As you review this website, consider your doctoral program of study and focus on the processes related to your dissertation or doctoral study’s literature review. Focus on the appropriate proposal rubric for your specific program.
Walden University Writing Center. (n.d.-b). Doctoral capstone form and style: Form and style review homepageLinks to an external site.. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/formandstyle
As you review this website, focus on the appropriate template and the form and style checklist required for your program. (Note: You might want to review the appropriate template with your faculty member or doctoral chair.)
Walden University Writing Center. (n.d.-e). Writing CenterLinks to an external site.. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter
As you review this website, focus on the resources provided and how these resources might support the writing of your literature review.
Document: Revision Tracker Download Revision Tracker(Word document)
Use this document to complete the Goals section for this week’s Discussion.
