## Write your paper by playing a game ### Adam Schmideg ### March 11, 2020 --- ## Why I failed ## How you can do better --- ## The construction plan to write a paper 1. Select a topic 2. Read the literature 3. (Experiment) 4. Have an insight or conclusion 5. Write it down ---- ## Why the plan fails ---- ## Clear topics are NOT given Note: - The topic emerges on the way - Research topic is clear only in retrospect - A topic emerges during the process of research - A clear topic is not the beginning but one of the end results of research - Clarity around the topic is a sign of the research being halfway through. ---- ## Reading is NOT a linear absorption of knowledge Note: - Reading jumps from text to text - Reading is not filling a blank slate with external thoughts. - Reading is a conversation. - Reading is about integrating new stuff to what you already have. How? - You see how it challenges what you know. - You see how it bridges a gaping hole of what you don't know. ---- ## Insight is NOT one big Aha-moment Note: - A single, big, clear insight is rare. - An insight usually lacks the specifics. - It takes more small insights to have a paper. ---- ## Writing does NOT come after thinking Note: - Thinking doesn't take place in the mind - Thinking takes place in writing and in conversation. ---- ## Anxieties from planned writing - Blank page - Overwhelmed by criteria - Changing course - Interest conflicts with expectations Note: - Expectations may be real or assummed --- ## Planned vs emergent --- ## The collectible card game to write a paper - Collect cards - Build your deck - Select cards - Play with others - +1 Bonus --- ## Card types - Quick - what catches you - Permanent - what you build from - Project - what you share - References - what you refer to - Workflow - how you play the game ---- ## Quick cards - The 5 second rule - One list - Collect everything - Idea, quote, observation, picture ---- ## Read with a pen in hand - Rephrase, don't highlight - Handwrite, don't type - Save the reference - Follow your interest, not what seems important ---- ## Permanent cards - Your second brain / second language - Thousands of cards - Rich connections - Shelf life of a thought ---- ## Parts of a permanent card - Context - Crafted text - Why it matters to you - Title - Keywords and links ---- ## Project cards - Temporary - Index and outline - Publication details ---- ## Reference cards - Easy to revisit - Respect others ---- ## Workflow cards - Personalize your system - Review your workflow after every session - Unstuck yourself --- ## Starter deck - Quick: empty - Permanent: empty - Project: empty - Workflow: 4 cards - References: 4 cards ---- ### Workflow card 1: ## Processing quick cards ### Pre-selection 1. Mark the first card with X 2. Read the next cards and ask the same question: 3. What do I want to work on more than X? 4. Mark that card with X 5. Repeat it until you reach the end of the list ---- ### Workflow card 2: ## Processing quick cards ### Working on cards 6. Work on the marked cards (start with the last marked) 7. You don't have to complete a card 8. After work, move card to the end of the list ---- ### Workflow card 3: ## Regular work - Process quick cards every day - Write a permanent card every day - Show a writing project every month ---- ### Workflow card 4: ## Tools used - Physical index cards - Note-taking app: Dynalist - References: Zotero - Document writing: Markdown and Pandoc ---- ## References - Sönke Ahrens: How to Take Smart Notes: One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking - [Mark Forster: The Final Version time management system](http://markforster.squarespace.com/blog/2015/5/21/the-final-version-perfected-fvp.html) - Gerald Weinberg: Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method - ([Richard Hamming: You and Your Research](https://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/YouAndYourResearch.html)) --- ## Summary - Collect cards: read with a pen in hand and take quick notes - Build your deck: process your notes with FV time management system - Select cards: work on multiple projects, let patterns emerge - Play with others: share your writing and integrate feedback - +1 Bonus: reflect on and update your workflow