Outline of Major Writing Assignment 1

Title: The Role of Writing in Psychology
Purpose Statement: Inform the reader of the role of writing in the field of psychology
Thesis Statement: Writing is an important part in the field of psychology

Introduction
~ Interviewee was an English undergrad major-helped her throughout her career based on amount of writing done each day
~ She mostly focuses on academic writing, however...
~ Psychological writing comes in many genres, falls into the two main categories of academic and non-academic

Academic Writing
~ Definition of academic writing
~ Examples of psychological academic writing (just a list)

~ Structural norms of academic psychological writing (APA format, passive voice)

~ Why is this structure beneficial/important in psychology (use AATP)?

~ Language norms of academic psychological writing (simpler vocabulary, though undefined)
~ Example from "mate-poaching" article

~ Why is this language beneficial/important in psychology (use AATP)?

~ Reference norms of academic psychological writing (paraphrased, parenthetical citations)

~ Why is this reference technique beneficial/important in psychology (use AATP)?

Non-Academic Writing
~ Definition of non-academic writing
~ Examples of psychological non-academic writing (just a list)

~ Structural norms of non-academic psychological writing (reads like an article, engaging to audience)
~ Example from New York Times article

~ Why is this structure beneficial/important in psychology (use AATP)?

~ Language norms of non-academic psychological writing (definitions of variables, descriptions of research)
~ Example from The People's Science (pop abstracts)

~ Why is this language beneficial/important in psychology (use AATP)?

~ Reference norms of non-academic psychological writing (quotes from researchers)

~ Why is this reference technique beneficial/important in psychology (use AATP)?

Conclusion
~ Mixture of academic and non-academic writing helps inform the public about psychology and allows other researchers to continue studying in the field
~ Writing is important in psychology