As it's that time of the year again(big thesis docs
time), this is my essential writing tools email. I recommend using both a reference manager
and an automated proofreading tool. Find
one of each that you like and get to know it very well. Your supervisor might thank me....
Every year I fix broken thesis documents that have all
kinds of manually created messes. Spend
your time focusing on writing (or procrastination); but don't spend it working
on reference lists or looking for typos and poor writing style. Make your computer do the heavy lifting where
it can help.
Reference Managers
Endnote - http://libguides.scu.edu.au/content.php?pid=455662&sid=3732637
(PC & Mac. The SCU solution and it works)
Mendeley - http://www.mendeley.com/features/reference-manager/ (Has fans among the phd's )
MS Word Reference Manager - http://libguides.scu.edu.au/content.php?pid=356517&sid=2915399
More Reference Managers
Reference Managers Comparison on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_reference_management_software
Automated Proofreading tools
StyleWriter - http://www.editorsoftware.com/ (PC. This is the one I have the most
experience with and use)
GingerPage http://www.gingersoftware.com/ (PC, Android, IOS ... Mac via online service)
Grammerly http://www.grammarly.com/ (Web based...??)
Whitesmoke http://www.whitesmoke.com/ (Web based... ??)
PerfectIt - http://www.intelligentediting.com/ (Word plugin...?)
More Proofreading tools
Using the tools you already have
Get familiar with the automated tools in MS Word that are
there to help. (Anyone working in another editor... you're on your own)
1) Use the Style manager to style your document.
2) Use the cross-reference tool to create in-text
references to tables, graphs and figures.
3) Use the "Table of Content" generator to
automatically create and update your TOC. Ditto for tables of figures
4) Use the Page break and section break tools to split
your sections.
5) Use the caption tool on all tables, figures, graphs
etc.
6) Use your reference manager to automatically inject and
style your Table of references.
All these tools work together to automate the
"grunt" work of producing large documents. Use them or go crazy.
Guides for working with Word on large docs
http://libroediting.com/blog/students-small-businesses-word-users/#wrd
More advanced Tools
Reference Checker - Word macro to verify correctness of a reference.http://www.goodcitations.com/
APA Style Guides
http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/
