8100 Blog Post #6 - Galvan Chapter 12

4/2/2017

1. Ask two friends to read the draft of your literature review and comment on the content. Compare their comments. • On which points did your friends agree? • On which points did they disagree? Which of the two opinions will you follow? Why? • Consider the places in your review that your friends found hard to follow. Rewrite these passages, keeping in mind that you want your friends to understand your points.
Both reviewers found a couple of grammatical mistakes and the one main comment they both made was that my transitions between my sections were weak. One of the reviewers also said I needed to explain more information about the Health Survey.
Of course for the grammatical mistakes I will make those changes. I should not have missed them on my own to begin with. I felt the transitions were weak as well so I will try to work on those. Maybe having been away from it for a few days I can see the sections with new eyes and make better transitions to keep the flow. The other suggestion was about the Health survey, although I understand it, Galvan suggests that the reader is always right so I will follow that sentiment. I understand it, but if the reader doesn't that is what matters. I will add a little explanation about who takes the survey.
2. Write five questions designed to guide your instructor or your friends in giving you feedback on the content of your review. • Reread your review draft, and respond to your own questions by pretending you are your instructor. • Revise your draft according to your own feedback. • Reconsider the five questions you wrote for your instructor or your friends. Which questions would you leave on your list? What questions would you add?
The questions I would write are as follows:

Does the introduction give a good overview of what will be discussed in the review? - Yes I believe so
Do the main topics flow well from one to the other? - not really. They are adequate, but struggle to flow well.
Is there enough detail about the studies discussed? Yes, I believe so.
Does the summary pull the main findings out without belaboring any one point? The summary is a bit short and could probably be expanded.
Is APA format followed for references and in-text citations? APA seems to be correct. Seriation is one area to look up and get a better understanding as well as gender neutrality.

I would keep the 5 questions because I feel they give a good overview of both content and writing structure.

Through this process of reviewing peers' papers as well as reviewing my own in light of the suggestions received by others, I have gained a much greater understanding of the importance of good writing for communication. The content may tell of the various articles in the literature, but if they can't flow from one to the other in the main topic areas and tie them together for the main idea, then they are basically useless in the paper. Transitions are super important to keep the reader engaged and at a good level of understanding.

7 Comments

Shari Howington-Carlin

4/4/2017 07:58:34 am

Hi Keri,
The comment about the reader always being right is mysterious to me. On one hand we want them to understand the information or sensation of the material and yet, sometimes it seems right that the reader be challenged. I agree with you as this is the idea from the book but I have a sense that I have to consider the source. In the past I have had reviews and the feedback I got was questionable so I am weary but I agree with the idea.
Also, I appreciate your awareness about format. I am still learning and unlearning much in this area. Transitions are key to the flow. I think we are all trying to "build better bridges". :-)
Thanks for sharing!
Shari

Keri

4/4/2017 07:15:39 pm

Hi Shari,
I do know what you mean about being leery of the reader always being right. I do consider the source and if there are items they mention that do kind of make sense I do give in. On the other hand, if it is from what I call a "lazy reader", meaning they don't want to put the pieces together or actually concentrate on the reading, then I don't always side with them. This is academic writing and it should have depth to it and not be like reading a kid's book.
Cybele mentioned to me at one point that she learned more through reviewing peers than writing it herself. I have to agree. Seeing different interpretations of the assignment and the approach is always interesting.
Thanks for sharing as well!
Keri

4/6/2017 10:16:16 am

Hi Keri,
The phrase "lazy reader" really spoke to me! Some of my reviewers were not trying to be lazy but you are right in that they were not reading from an academic viewpoint. That helps me understand the many different and sometimes confusing comments. :-) Thanks again!
Shari

Cybele link

4/4/2017 06:28:40 pm

Keri:

I too have weak transitions, as you had pointed out when you reviewed mine. Thank you for being hard on me. One of my other reviewers was not that hard. So, I appreciate the feedback...hopefully your feedback will result in a better paper!

Also, great questions!

Cybele

4/4/2017 07:20:55 pm

Hi Cybele,
We both get to work on transitions:-) We can help each other along the way and I would rather someone let me know it doesn't flow well from one part to the other than not. I do want to become a better writer and the sign of a good writer as good communication with the reader.
As for the review of your paper, hopefully the suggestions spurred you on to better writing and not giving up. Knowing my critique has nothing to do with a grade should give some relief! By the time we finish this degree I'm sure our writing will be much better than it is now:-)
Keri

Niki Lennon

4/5/2017 07:14:27 am

Hi Keri,

You brought up one of the obvious and most important questions that is often times over-looked, in my opinion, which is: "does the title flow with the overall content." I believe that is important and can help to develop a consistent flow of information throughout the paper.

Additionally, the APA format, which can be challenging at times, is a major focus because some of the styles change and requires that we keep up with what is required at such time (sometimes changes from class to class). But, either way this class has enlightened me on many tips to assist in staying consistent with the APA style and format.

Great information Keri and thank you for sharing,

Niki

James Jackson link

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8100 Blog Post #6 - Galvan Chapter 12

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Author: Keri Duncan

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