Top Tips

Read your work aloud

Writing tipsRhythm and flow and sense can all be put to the test when you read your work aloud, because the ear is so sensitive to dissonance. And because reading aloud is strangely alienating (work you’ve written doesn’t sound like your own), you judge it differently, listening for flow and movement, and how engaging it is. The exercise also catches faulty punctuation: when your tongue trips, so does the mind. Reading aloud helps you to check that your voice is coming through clearly in an appropriate tone and you find that you can easily detect any clanging notes of falseness. The tool is simple, but it’s invaluable.

Marina Benjamin
16 November 2016

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What a truly fantastic experience. I really cannot enthuse about it enough. The combination of Max and Trevor as facilitators – so different and yet superbly complementary – was simply perfect. I feel privileged to have attended and I will ensure that my institution is made aware of what a brilliant opportunity this is for all academic staff.
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Loved this workshop!
Doctoral student
The two facilitators were great. Trevor and Max had very different styles that complemented each other very well. ... I really enjoyed the week and gained a lot – confidence and skills and tools for my own writing, and hopefully much better ways of teaching and mentoring others in writing. Highly recommended for writers of all levels and confidence.
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Social Sciences doctoral student
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Undergraduate student
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Chris has been very helpful in giving me great advice to improve my writing skills. I would recommend this to anyone out there.
Undergraduate
Really helpful – encouraged openness and made the environment feel very safe.
Doctoral student
The ‘taught’ content was carefully blended with the practical exercises, so that the practice led the theory, rather than the other way round. … Marina and Tina were helpful, insightful and concise, without being overly critical or judgmental … every moment has been suffused with creativity. Thank you for waking me up.
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Arts doctoral student
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Arts doctoral student
The activities were really helpful. They got me thinking in different ways.
Doctoral student
This workshop has been a turning point for me.
Social Science doctoral student
It was fun… I think that made everyone relaxed and interact more.
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Chris helped me pinpoint the problem areas of my writing that I could not see myself.
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The consideration and design put into the creation of this session is obvious. Using the workshop to reflect on our own practice outside of my discipline has been enlightening and extremely enjoyable. Thank you.
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Really enjoyed this workshop.
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Great workshop – reminded us of the basics while giving us helpful suggestions for different approaches to tackling essay writing.
Undergraduate student
The trainer engaged with each individual, listening to and answering each individual’s problems and questions.
MA student
Gained knowledge on applying narrative structures to my essays.
Undergraduate student
Many thanks, great to see such positive feedback from the students.
Lecturer, University English Department
Really great session, thank you. I wish I knew you existed before now!
Doctoral student in Health Science
Very informal and professional at the same time.
Departmental Administrator in a School of Art
This is the most useful Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities workshop I've been to (I'm a 3rd year student)
Doctoral student, arts and humanities
I feel completely enlightened about how I want to present my work in future. I feel more confident in my writing and I understand how best to write for my audience.
Science doctoral student
This course invited us to think about how to do it, not just tell us what to do…
Doctoral student in the Arts
Of course it’s a given that you need the proper space and time to write – but without focus on content and narrative craft we’d be churning out the same turgid stuff, just more efficiently. ... The week vastly exceeded my expectations and I think will have a profound effect on my writing.
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It was a great experience … it pushed me out of my comfort zone and I learnt that writing is primary for me.
Second year Modern Languages undergraduate
[The tutor] was great. Very knowledgeable, patient, active and helpful.
Social Sciences doctoral student
Most of all I am confident about giving any presentation in the research area that I am interested in.
Doctoral student
Would love more workshops like this.
MA student
I wanted to say thank you for delivering this workshop which has been greatly appreciated both by the students and the course directors. I think this is something we’d be keen to do again in the future.
Head of Graduate School
Ann identified key areas of essay writing which people often struggle with, and worked through them with useful and thought-provoking activities.
English Literature undergraduate
It was really great! I would definitely recommend – so happy to have attended.
Doctoral researcher
James made every effort to accommodate everyone’s needs and desires. This was one of the most interesting, informative and engaging workshops I’ve been to and I would attend another one if the opportunity arises.
Doctoral student
The mix of ... presentations, group discussions and practical exercises was very beneficial for me to apply new knowledge to my own situation. Anna’s wide experience of writing and editing was demonstrated by her depth of understanding and ability to tailor her teaching to the needs of her students.
Senior Lecturer in Research Methods
What a brilliant session on Friday. The last hour of the session was extremely useful and is beginning to make a significant difference to my data analysis. My friends could not believe the difference. Thank you.
Psychology postgraduate
The course was excellently executed. It was relaxed and convivial, yet we were undertaking learning that was substantial and worthwhile.
Team Leader in a Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
The ‘taught’ content was carefully blended with the practical exercises, so that the practice led the theory, rather than the other way round. … Marina and Tina were helpful, insightful and concise, without being overly critical or judgmental … every moment has been suffused with creativity. Thank you for waking me up.
Senior Lecturer in Film Studies
I have benefited so much from this retreat ... The training sessions covered various writing styles from publishing a book to applying for research grants to writing journal papers.
Postdoctorate in Energy Security and Environmental Protection
...please keep in touch with any new projects – the students clearly loved your work!
Grammar School Assistant Head Teacher
This was the best inkpath session I have had to date, really informative and I have left the session less anxious about writing the impact statement!
PhD student: (medical research)
Appropriate content…Enjoyed the session – lively, engaging.
Doctoral researcher
The three hours [Write Powerfully workshop] passed very quickly. Can I please be included in further workshops?
Team Leader, School of Nursing & Midwifery
I thoroughly enjoyed it, and loved the weekly assignments and the feedback in class.
Postgraduate student in Creative Writing
Thank you again for the workshop. I really feel I have profited from it and also enjoyed it a lot! It not only has made me think about my own writing more critically and effectively but will also help me working with undergraduates and marking their essays.
History doctoral candidate
The best and most interesting course I have done at the university so far.
Biomedical Science doctoral student
Fantastically insightful. Great tips for writing.
Doctoral student
I really enjoyed the workshop and found it informative and interesting.
English Literature undergraduate
What a truly fantastic experience. I really cannot enthuse about it enough. The combination of Max and Trevor as facilitators – so different and yet superbly complementary – was simply perfect. I feel privileged to have attended and I will ensure that my institution is made aware of what a brilliant opportunity this is for all academic staff.
Life Sciences Researcher
Our facilitator was incredibly friendly, professional and very knowledgeable. A simply wonderful workshop, thank you.
2nd year Social Science undergraduate
This workshop has surpassed my expectations. I can't thank you enough!
First year doctoral student in social sciences
I found it very interesting and feel it has equipped me with very relevant skills.
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