- Your Grant as Story – the Rogue Character
Humans are wired for story. Your grant, whether you realize it or not, has a cast of characters including a hero, villain, supporting characters, plots and subplots. If you think about your grant in these terms when you write, the ideas will flow better and your proposal will be ...
- Three Tips for Writing to Non-Specialists
One evening, my professor for Dissertation Seminar randomly grouped us in pairs to discuss our dissertations. A student specializing in Literature became partnered with me, a specialist in Composition and Rhetoric.
“What’s your dissertation about?” I asked.
“Narrative historiog...
- Beginner’s Eye for the Science Guy (or Gal)
The beginner’s eye, not to be confused with Bette Davis eyes, is looking at things as if you’ve never seen them before. What if you reviewed your last several months’ worth of experiments as if you’ve never seen them before – no hypothesis, no preconceived notions, just a clean ...
- Big Words
My PhD mentor was a great guy, but like most of us he wasn’t perfect. What was his flaw? He liked to use big words. Depending on the audience, airing out the “big words” might be appropriate, but for the most part big words make for cumbersome and confusing writing. William Zinss...
- Practical Writing Advice from a Writing Teacher
How to Write an Essay Like an Equation, by Eric Sentell, PhD, a writing instructor at Southeast Missouri State University, offers step-by-step advice for communicating ideas clearly. While some sections are more applicable to undergraduate essays, most chapters feature strategies...
- Making Writing More Memorable and Persuasive
In the last week, you’ve reviewed a couple hundred grant proposals. Or skimmed a couple hundred CVs and cover letters. Or graded a hundred papers. Which proposal will you advocate for? Which candidate will you pound the table to interview? Which student will you write an enthusia...
- Tips for Scoring a VA Career Development Award
For those with a connection to the Veterans Health Administration, the VA CDA 2 can be a great way to propel your career. These awards are bigger than an NIH K, but come with unique requirements. Dr. Eric Tkaczyk recently received one of these grants, and he shares his tips for s...
- StrengthsFinder 2.0: Discover Your CliftonStrengths
He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened. – Lao Tzu
I cannot sing, dance, or act. Regardless how passionately I longed as a kid to be a Broadway triple threat, my desire could not compensate for lack of talent. Lining the pockets of coaches and teachers f...
- An International Postdoc Experience
Edge for Scholars recently had the honor of discussing international postdoctoral experiences with Dr. Brian Mautz, Postdoctoral Fellow with the Division of Epidemiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). Prior to coming to VUMC, Dr. Mautz spent two years at the Univ...
- The Scientist’s Adverb
In today’s class, we’re going to talk about the scientist’s adverb. I bet you didn’t know that scientists have an adverb all their own, so you’re no doubt thrilled that you stumbled upon this post.
Before I get too far, I sense some of you are struggling to remember the specific...
