Writing problems--to disrupt or not?

topic posted Thu, July 12, 2007 - 7:48 PM by  offlineSadie Spins
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I just received the first 2 pages of my first draft of my master's thesis (approaching year 3, time to get out, fast fast fast defend in september) and it is covered in red, more red than ink, no sentence untouched, not a square inch of paper without text. My adviser is re-writing the whole thing, mainly because he doesn't edit, but only re-writes, and we have a very different idea of what academic writing ShouldBe

So...I need some advice. Do I bring up how frustrating, unproductive and potentially offensive this is before my adviser super-edits it all? Or shut up, do the edits, and wait another few weeks for the next?

Side notes:
The only thing I've liked about my thesis in the last 18months is when I've written things
I was really happy to receive all the crazy corrections on draft 1, instead of the usual minor minor corrections for 3 drafts before the big one.

Thoughts? Experience?
posted by:
Sadie Spins
Toronto
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  • Re: Writing problems--to disrupt or not?

    Thu, July 12, 2007 - 9:13 PM
    There's help, and then there's this. This isn't helpful.

    My suggestion? Take the most useful bits, and incorporate them, and then be very blunt and tell him that he really needs to let you have your own voice.
  • Re: Writing problems--to disrupt or not?

    Fri, July 13, 2007 - 11:27 PM
    Wow, sorry this happened. If he's that unhelpful then he probably won't listen to how frustrating, unproductive and potentially offensive this is. Maybe you can do the edits you agree with and keep the stuff you think is right, and be ready to defend why you are right and he is wrong.

    Remember, your name is on it. I hope this helps.

    Peace,

    John

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