Writing Exercises - Theory and Hypotheses Tetris
Figure out the best way to organize your Theory and Hypotheses section
As I discuss in the book, you can organize the Theory and Hypotheses section in a variety of ways. This exercise should help you avoid getting too tied to a particular organization scheme early on, and to help you think about the different ways you can organize your story.
Write the following sections as separate chunks of text:
1. Key construct definitions (DVs and IVs, including moderators)
2. Literature review
3. Context description
4. Brief development of each hypothesis and the hypothesis statements
Without worrying about writing the material connecting them to make the story flow, try organizing the sections the following ways:
1. Key DV definitions, lit review, IV definitions, hypotheses, context
2. Key IV definitions, lit review, DV definitions hypotheses, context
3. Lit review, construct definitions, hypotheses, context
4. Context, lit review, construct definitions, hypotheses
5. Lit review, context, construct definitions, hypotheses
6. Construct definitions, lit review, context, hypotheses
7. You can also try interspersing the DV and IV definitions after the lit review and among the hypotheses. Try putting the context both first and last.
Which way seems to flow the best? Why? Take the version that works best and add the connective tissue that takes you from one section to the next, and ties them together.
Do the same thing with the version you like second best. Which do you like better once they are fully drafted?
© 2021 Timothy G. Pollock
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