Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article: Second Edition (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) [Kindle Edition]
Author: Howard S. Becker | Language: English | ISBN: B002L2GKCC | Format: PDF, EPUB
Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article: Second Edition
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Students and researchers all write under pressure, and those pressures—most lamentably, the desire to impress your audience rather than to communicate with them—often lead to pretentious prose, academic posturing, and, not infrequently, writer’s block.
Sociologist Howard S. Becker has written the classic book on how to conquer these pressures and simply write. First published nearly twenty years ago, Writing for Social Scientists has become a lifesaver for writers in all fields, from beginning students to published authors. Becker’s message is clear: in order to learn how to write, take a deep breath and then begin writing. Revise. Repeat.
It is not always an easy process, as Becker wryly relates. Decades of teaching, researching, and writing have given him plenty of material, and Becker neatly exposes the foibles of academia and its “publish or perish” atmosphere. Wordiness, the passive voice, inserting a “the way in which” when a simple “how” will do—all these mechanisms are a part of the social structure of academic writing. By shrugging off such impediments—or at the very least, putting them aside for a few hours—we can reform our work habits and start writing lucidly without worrying about grades, peer approval, or the “literature.”
In this new edition, Becker takes account of major changes in the computer tools available to writers today, and also substantially expands his analysis of how academic institutions create problems for them. As competition in academia grows increasingly heated, Writing for Social Scientists will provide solace to a new generation of frazzled, would-be writers.
Sociologist Howard S. Becker has written the classic book on how to conquer these pressures and simply write. First published nearly twenty years ago, Writing for Social Scientists has become a lifesaver for writers in all fields, from beginning students to published authors. Becker’s message is clear: in order to learn how to write, take a deep breath and then begin writing. Revise. Repeat.
It is not always an easy process, as Becker wryly relates. Decades of teaching, researching, and writing have given him plenty of material, and Becker neatly exposes the foibles of academia and its “publish or perish” atmosphere. Wordiness, the passive voice, inserting a “the way in which” when a simple “how” will do—all these mechanisms are a part of the social structure of academic writing. By shrugging off such impediments—or at the very least, putting them aside for a few hours—we can reform our work habits and start writing lucidly without worrying about grades, peer approval, or the “literature.”
In this new edition, Becker takes account of major changes in the computer tools available to writers today, and also substantially expands his analysis of how academic institutions create problems for them. As competition in academia grows increasingly heated, Writing for Social Scientists will provide solace to a new generation of frazzled, would-be writers.
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Students and researchers all write under pressure, and those pressures—most lamentably, the desire to impress your audience rather than to communicate with them—often lead to pretentious prose, academic posturing, and, not infrequently, writer’s block.
Sociologist Howard S. Becker has written the classic book on how to conquer these pressures and simply write. First published nearly twenty years ago, Writing for Social Scientists has become a lifesaver for writers in all fields, from beginning students to published authors. Becker’s message is clear: in order to learn how to write, take a deep breath and then begin writing. Revise. Repeat.
It is not always an easy process, as Becker wryly relates. Decades of teaching, researching, and writing have given him plenty of material, and Becker neatly exposes the foibles of academia and its “publish or perish” atmosphere. Wordiness, the passive voice, inserting a “the way in which” when a simple “how” will do—all these mechanisms are a part of the social structure of academic writing. By shrugging off such impediments—or at the very least, putting them aside for a few hours—we can reform our work habits and start writing lucidly without worrying about grades, peer approval, or the “literature.”
In this new edition, Becker takes account of major changes in the computer tools available to writers today, and also substantially expands his analysis of how academic institutions create problems for them. As competition in academia grows increasingly heated, Writing for Social Scientists will provide solace to a new generation of frazzled, would-be writers.
Sociologist Howard S. Becker has written the classic book on how to conquer these pressures and simply write. First published nearly twenty years ago, Writing for Social Scientists has become a lifesaver for writers in all fields, from beginning students to published authors. Becker’s message is clear: in order to learn how to write, take a deep breath and then begin writing. Revise. Repeat.
It is not always an easy process, as Becker wryly relates. Decades of teaching, researching, and writing have given him plenty of material, and Becker neatly exposes the foibles of academia and its “publish or perish” atmosphere. Wordiness, the passive voice, inserting a “the way in which” when a simple “how” will do—all these mechanisms are a part of the social structure of academic writing. By shrugging off such impediments—or at the very least, putting them aside for a few hours—we can reform our work habits and start writing lucidly without worrying about grades, peer approval, or the “literature.”
In this new edition, Becker takes account of major changes in the computer tools available to writers today, and also substantially expands his analysis of how academic institutions create problems for them. As competition in academia grows increasingly heated, Writing for Social Scientists will provide solace to a new generation of frazzled, would-be writers.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Humane, wry, reflective, gentle, wise....A primer in the sense that it teaches the elements of good writing [and] a shrewd and subtle essay on the social organization of scholarship." - Kai Erikson, Contemporary Sociology "This little book is must reading for any would-be writer, social scientist or not, who has sat in front of a blank piece of paper...and wondered whether the plants have been watered lately." - Jane Delano Brown, Journalism Quarterly"
About the Author
Howard S. Becker lives and works in San Francisco. He is the author of several books, including Outsiders, Tricks of the Trade, and Telling About Society.
Product Details
- File Size: 847 KB
- Print Length: 220 pages
- Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0226041328
- Publisher: University of Chicago Press; Second Edition edition (December 15, 2007)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B002L2GKCC
- Text-to-Speech: Enabled
- Lending: Enabled
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,648 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #22in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Reference
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- “He was thrilled with the book and feels like it will help him. ”
- “Howard S. Becker, the author of "Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article", is a social scientist. ”
- “This book provides practical advice, as well as encouragement, motivation, and clarity. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 starsGood, but the second edition has few changesJanuary 21, 2008
By Hal JordanVINE VOICE
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
I bought the first edition of this book about 20 years ago and found it very helpful. I long ago misplaced my copy and so was happy to order the new second edition. On reading the book again, I found Becker's advice to be as good as I remembered, but I was disappointed that he had made so few changes in the "second edition." Essentially, the first edition has been reprinted verbatim--even typos weren't corrected--with a relatively few pages of additional material added to the last two chapters. Chapter 9 now contains Becker's general thoughts on recent software that he considers useful to writers. This discussion would have been more helpful if he had been willing to mention specific programs. I guess he decided not to either to avoid giving free advertising or to avoid dating the discussion. The last chapter gives some interesting, if brief, observations on the place of writing in modern academic life.
In short, if you already have the first edition, there's not much point in buying the second edition. If, on the other hand, you haven't encountered this book before and you would like some useful tips on academic writing, it's well worth the price.
In short, if you already have the first edition, there's not much point in buying the second edition. If, on the other hand, you haven't encountered this book before and you would like some useful tips on academic writing, it's well worth the price.
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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 starsAll filler, no thrillerOctober 13, 2012
By Robert
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
I am a communication graduate student working on my master's thesis. I purchased this book based on the many positive reviews here on Amazon. I found the book to be basically worthless. The book has a few practical suggestions, but is otherwise padded with personal anecdotes. Throughout the book I found Becker's writing style to be long-winded; he spent pages saying nothing of import. His writing style contradicts the advice he espouses for academic writers. The chapter "Writing with a computer" was written in 1986, making it outdated to the point of irrelevance, and should not have been included in the book. In my opinion, the worthwhile advice contained in this book can be summarized in two points:
1. Don't be afraid to write.
2. Don't be afraid to revise.
Other reviewers seem to have found this book to be helpful, and perhaps you will, too. But it told me nothing I didn't already know. The time I spent reading it would've been better spent writing my thesis.
1. Don't be afraid to write.
2. Don't be afraid to revise.
Other reviewers seem to have found this book to be helpful, and perhaps you will, too. But it told me nothing I didn't already know. The time I spent reading it would've been better spent writing my thesis.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 starsGreat Author, Great WorkDecember 7, 2008
By Daniel Douglas
Format:Paperback
Howard Becker is indispensable to any student of the social sciences. This book, which provides insight into how to work efficiently as a scholar in the discipline, is an excellent resource. Read it while you're writing so you don't lose sight of the goal of finishing your work.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 starsObviousSeptember 7, 2013
By Sean Berry
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
This book was required reading for a graduate level class and it is embarrassingly useless. If you managed to write your personal statement then you really don't need this book.
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsWriting for All ScientistsMarch 10, 2009
By Antonio Dias de Figueiredo
Format:Paperback
Howard S. Becker, the author of "Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article", is a social scientist. Of course, no respectable scientist, social or non-social, would dare generalizing to other fields of knowledge the findings laboriously made in his own field. So, Becker conservatively addresses his book just to "social scientists". Writing is, however, an essential aptitude for any scientist. In fact, it is no less crucial to the survival of the scientist, as a scientist, than his or her own aptitudes to read or think logically. So, what Becker writes in his book is just as important to social scientists as it is to any other kind of scientist. Quite paradoxically, most scientists initiate and develop their scientific careers without devoting a single minute of their time to specifically learning how to write. Anyone would agree that it is impossible to play good tennis without proper training, and whoever wished to become a professional tennis player by just playing along would very likely be regarded as downright naive. This is, however, what most scientists do when it comes to writing. Becker's book does not fall in the category of the so called "how-to" books. It is, rather, a personal reflection written in a very entertaining and conversational style by an academic who addresses his fellow academics, not from the top of a pulpit, but from the cultural standpoint of the beliefs, traditions, aspirations and rites of their common academic life. It covers, in this way, a remarkably diverse collection of central aspects of scientific writing, such as the crucial role of editing and rewriting (and rewriting, and rewriting), the fear of scorn, the encounters with writer's block, or the urge to produce pompous and obscure texts. Read more ›
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsBought as a gift for my son-in-law - he was thrilled!August 21, 2013
By L. Brenton
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
My son-in-law is writing his undergraduate thesis (his school actually requires a thesis to graduate with a B.A.). I was attracted to the title based on his and my daughter's strong interest in sociology (her major) and their relentless research into why people do the things they do. He was thrilled with the book and feels like it will help him.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat TextApril 21, 2012
By Chocolate Man
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
I was encouraged to get this text as I prepare for my dissertation. Never regretted it. Easy to read; spot on examples which seems like the writer was addressing me;focuses on what mattered to writers and a book which can be read as though it were a novel which you don't want to put down.
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5.0 out of 5 starsproducing an easy to read document absent of the "academic fluff"June 28, 2014
By Jason Solema
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
This booked changed the way I write. It is full of lessons/stories that compare how I previously thought an "intelligent writer" should write (or sound) vs. producing an easy to read document absent of the "academic fluff"...It is very beneficial as I worked my way through a graduate school grounded in social science.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 starsA lot of help
This book was assigned to me but the first chapter alone gave me a new perspective on writing. You'd be surprised how it allows you to re-think your process and be more creative,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dana L. Thayer
4.0 out of 5 starsI found this book comforting.
This is an easy to read beautifully written book, which made me realise that the difficulties I have writing are not unique, on the contrary, they are pretty much the norm. Read more
Published 4 months ago by D. Holmes
5.0 out of 5 starsLove the book, love the author
Recomened 100% for social scientist who want to enhancec the writting skills and the communictive skills. Ok, that will be all
Published 5 months ago by laura
4.0 out of 5 starsCommentary on the Process
Here Becker offers a series of essays about various aspects of the academic writing process, and the life of the academic while all of this is going on. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Prof MacCreedy
5.0 out of 5 starswroting for social scientists
I have not received this products and all the others I ordered since Oct 2012. I have nothing to iove or hate! Where are my stuff?
Published 13 months ago by JOHN CHERUIYOT
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat and very useful book!
Excellent book when you are stucked in writing your dissertation, paper, or thesis. A must have fo every academic writer or potential teacher. Unavoidable!
Published 14 months ago by Manuela Thourte
5.0 out of 5 starsDelightful and useful.
Howard Becker is a delightful writer, and his book is an idiosyncratic rehearsal of the virtues of plain, powerful writing that sounds like a real person. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Heath Sledge
5.0 out of 5 starsThis book made me excited about my research again!
Howard Becker doesn't just re-hash rules of style and syntax. He addresses the real problems social scientists face in writing and re-writing. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Stephanie
4.0 out of 5 starsa practical and comforting guide
Just like my headline says, this book it a practical guide to writing big papers. Lots of advice on how to get yourself writing. Read more
Published 19 months ago by KSawrey
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- File Size: 847 KB
- Print Length: 220 pages
- Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0226041328
- Publisher: University of Chicago Press; Second Edition edition (December 15, 2007)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B002L2GKCC
- Text-to-Speech: Enabled
- Lending: Enabled
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,648 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #22 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Reference
Howard S. Becker, the author of "Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article", is a social scientist. Of course, no respectable scientist, social or non-social, would dare generalizing to other fields of knowledge the findings laboriously made in his own field. So, Becker conservatively addresses his book just to "social scientists". Writing is, however, an essential aptitude for any scientist. In fact, it is no less crucial to the survival of the scientist, as a scientist, than his or her own aptitudes to read or think logically. So, what Becker writes in his book is just as important to social scientists as it is to any other kind of scientist. Quite paradoxically, most scientists initiate and develop their scientific careers without devoting a single minute of their time to specifically learning how to write. Anyone would agree that it is impossible to play good tennis without proper training, and whoever wished to become a professional tennis player by just playing along would very likely be regarded as downright naive. This is, however, what most scientists do when it comes to writing. Becker's book does not fall in the category of the so called "how-to" books. It is, rather, a personal reflection written in a very entertaining and conversational style by an academic who addresses his fellow academics, not from the top of a pulpit, but from the cultural standpoint of the beliefs, traditions, aspirations and rites of their common academic life. It covers, in this way, a remarkably diverse collection of central aspects of scientific writing, such as the crucial role of editing and rewriting (and rewriting, and rewriting), the fear of scorn, the encounters with writer's block, or the urge to produce pompous and obscure texts.
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