writer’s inescapable prerequisite for achieving even minimal direction, focus, organization, and clarity in a book, dissertation, thesis, or essay.”

They discuss how working regularly at writing results in more hours, and more productive hours, spent on their dissertations over the course of a week.

own, I suggest that you not only underline and use margin markings, but that you also write preliminary notes on a sticky note and post it to the inside cover of the book or document.

Drop a note to the ones whose work you find particularly interesting and useful. If they respond, you have the opportunity to continue the dialogue with them directly. Having such contacts will be crucial when you enter the job market.

Now is as good a time as any for you to learn new and efficient techniques that enable you to read and reference mounds of papers and stacks of books.

The big point addresses the question: “Why is this research important?”

acknowledgment. As you are taking notes, make sure you can distinguish between the instances when you have paraphrased or summarized the author’s ideas and when you have copied down a quotation.

You also want to notice how information is added to the conversation.

make sure to send short monthly or quarterly updates to your committee members. Let them know whether your project is taking a different direction and give them the opportunity to provide input regarding any of these changes.