Happy Easter and Passover Blessings

Dr. Maggie

Managing the Length of a Paper

One great way to manage the length of a paper is by using the MEAL method outlined previous blog entries.  By using, more or less E and A sentences (Example/evidence and Analysis) you can easily control the length of a paper.  All paragraphs need a minimum of four sentences M -E-A-L.  The more E and A sentences, the longer the paper.  

A recap of the MEAL method of writing is below:

For each and every paragraph written ask yourself 4 basic questions:

1. What is the main point of this paragraph? (M sentence of MEAL method)

2. What examples and, or evidence (citation) is best to support the main point ? (E sentence of MEAL method)

3. What are the implications and , or significance of the previous information shared (the examples and , or evidence)  So what? Why is this information important to the paper topic?

4) How can I bridge the ideas and thoughts from this paragraph to the main point of the next paragraph? (L sentence of MEAL method)

Remember, a specific purpose of the paper statement in an introduction along with a strong thesis statement, will help focus the writing.


Dr. Maggie

MEAL Method of Writing Example

Academic writing is certainly different from nursing care documentation (M). With care documentation, nurses solely write the facts (E). With academic writing, nurses must write what the facts are, cite and reference the facts, plus provide an example (E). After providing examples/ evidence, the nurse must formulate some type of analysis regarding the information (E). Typically the analysis portion can be the most difficult (A). When writing analysis of information, it is important to answer the questions: so what does this mean, why is this important, what significance does the fact or information have to nursing and nursing practice or with the topic (thesis) of the paper (A)? In addition to writing facts and analyzing them, transition sentences are useful to smooth writing (and lengthen a paper (L). <<grins>>

The other seemingly difficult area for nurses’ academic writing is transitions or links between paragraphs (M).  Nurses find it helpful to initially write down the information and examples (E).  If the nurse cannot  think of an analysis sentence or a transition sentence, the nurse can write the word “analysis” and /or “link” in a different color of font from the text so that the nurse can go back and add  this information later (E).  Academic writing style is important to the profession and therefore takes time to write well (A). The amount of time to write depends on the skill level of the nurse (L).

 A good rule is to allow one hour per page required in an assignment (E). This hour includes researching, writing, and editing (E). Therefore, a five page paper would take approximately five hours but not all at the same time (A).  A beginning nurse writer should allow approximately one and one half hours per page for a well written paper (A).  Academic writing will soon become a  habit with plenty of practice (L).

With all forms of writing, it is a good habit to write a draft first then review the paper two more times (M). Nurse writers need to go back a second time to the paper and add any missing information (such as analysis sentences or linking/transition sentences (E).  Finally, go back a third time for punctuation, grammar, and APA style edits (E). The process calls for allowing several hours to develop a well written paper (E).  Academic writing is an important part of any MSN program and the profession of nursing (A). Using an academic style of writing keeps communication consistent and well regarded in the profession of nursing.

Dr. Maggie

Headings - Multiple Levels

For how to format multiple levels of headings in a paper go to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGFLcrlxMk4

The video is about 15 minutes and instructs you, step by step, to format all of the levels of headings for an APA formatted paper.


Dr. Maggie

Focused Writing

The best way to keep your writing focused (avoid wordiness, going of the subject etc.) is to develop a strong purpose of the paper statement and corresponding strong thesis statement. For graduate nursing courses, these two statements should encompass the overall grading criteria.  The two should appear toward the beginning of the introduction paragraph of the paper, and at the end of the introduction paragraph of the paper, respectively.  Keep the two sentences in front of you as you write the paper.  You can always check yourself as you are writing, so that what- ever you write, aligns with these two statements.

Dr. Maggie