First, you may be asking, “What is a writing model?” A writing model is an example of writing like the one you need to produce.

Allow me to illustrate. Very early in my graduate program, I had never read a dissertation. But I knew I needed to write one. The best advice I received was to familiarize myself with the structure of a finished dissertation. I found dissertations that students in my own program had successfully written and defended under the guidance of my advisor.

Once I had my writing model in front of me, I asked myself questions such as:

• How long are dissertations? Apparently, they vary quite a bit depending on their methodology!
• How are dissertations organized? Most had a set, traditional structure with chapters. However, some included a collection of journal articles within a broader chapter structure.
• How does each dissertation section begin and end? I discovered most dissertations are rather repetitive at the beginning and end of each chapter. They guide the reader about what has come before and what is coming next.
• How does the writer sound (i.e., tone)? Rather formal, clear, and direct, I would say. This may seem obvious, but it is not to everyone. Knowing your audience expectations is very important.

In using writing models, the mystery and anxiety of what I was supposed to do in terms of structure and expectations – which is a huge part of any writing piece – evaporated.

You can study writing models and use them to guide nearly any type of academic writing (e.g., dissertations, journal manuscripts, book chapters, grants — if you are able to get a copy – and white papers). I recommend Danielle Steven’s, Write More, Publish More, Stress Less! The book includes a chapter which guides you through how to analyze and learn about the genres of academic writing, with templates and ideas – super helpful for guiding your own investigation of writing models.

When you use writing models, you’ll be miles ahead in your writing process. Think about it – would you rather endure multiple rounds of structural feedback from your dissertation committee or external reviewers? Or would you rather have your structure down solid from the beginning? I would much rather have the latter. In fact, having the structure down allows me to focus on my content – the part only you can do (and the most fun!).

In writing journal articles, I found it particularly useful to study articles from journals I was wanting to publish in. In addition, the more I wrote and successfully published in different academic writing outlets, the more models I built up within my own writing that I could also refer to.

I encourage you to become an investigator of the format, length, and tone of a writing model that mirrors what you are planning to produce. This is not about plagiarizing. This is about becoming a student of the structure, conventions, and expectations of academic writing.

So, how about it? This month, go find a writing model and study it. Whether you are a beginning academic writer or a well-seasoned one, you can always use writing models to enhance your writing, productivity, and likelihood for writing success and growth.

---

Dr. Margarita Huerta’s passion is to help aspiring, established, and everything-in-between academics find joy, community, and success in their careers. With over 20 years of higher education experience, Dr. Huerta founded Real Academics to do just this.