On November 27 and 29, 2024, the EHU hosted a workshop on academic writing for students of the “History”, “European Heritage”, and “Cultural Heritage Development” programs. The speaker was Alana Felton, a PhD candidate at Yale University (USA) and Assistant Director at the Yale Writing Center. The workshop focused on key principles of academic writing in formats accepted by Western scholarly journals.
“The most common mistake I see in student writing is an unclear thesis. You must clearly show what you are arguing and why it matters. A good paper is not just a description but an argument that leads the reader to new conclusions,” Alana Felton told EHU students.
During the workshop, she provided detailed guidance on how to develop a strong thesis, structure an article, and edit the text to meet the standards of international journals.
5 KEY TIPS FROM THE WORKSHOP:
1. A clear thesis is the foundation of your article.
A thesis should be analytical or interpretive, not descriptive. It formulates the main argument and represents the author’s contribution to scholarly debate.
2. Define the significance of your topic.
Alana advises asking yourself: «Why is my article important? What does it contribute to the field?» This helps focus on argumentation and create a logical text.
3. Don’t delay introducing the thesis.
Present your main argument within the first few paragraphs so readers immediately understand the focus of the paper. Use an engaging hook but avoid lengthy introductions.
4. Support arguments with evidence.
Academic papers must include examples, data, or quotes that support the claims. It is essential to explain why this evidence matters and how it strengthens the argument.
5. Revise and check for logical flow.
Alana recommends using the “reverse outlining” method: create an outline of your completed draft to check its structure and coherence.
About the Speaker:
Alana Felton is an expert in academic writing and research. She works at Yale University as the Assistant Director of the Writing Center, where she advises undergraduate and graduate students on preparing academic texts. She also has experience working at Yale’s Graduate Writing Lab and the Office of Fellowships, helping students secure funding for research and studies. Currently, Alana is in Lithuania on a Fulbright Schuman Grant, conducting research on contemporary Belarusian culture.