Sharing another post in our new semi-regular series, "Missives from the Editing Trenches" written by long-time TPII editors. They are the real MVPs, working in the trenches to catch you in all your job document pitfalls -- from the self-deprecating … [Read more...] about How to Turn Your Teaching Duds into Memorable Statements
Teaching and Research Statements
Another Teaching Statement Cliché: The Messiah- Narrative
Today we are launching a new semi-regular series, "Missives from the Editing Trenches" written by long-time TPII editors. They are the real MVPs, working in the trenches to catch you in all your job document pitfalls -- from the self-deprecating to … [Read more...] about Another Teaching Statement Cliché: The Messiah- Narrative
The Job Search is Not a Striptease
One of my pet peeves in job documents is when the job candidate coyly gestures toward a research conclusion, without actually coming out and saying what the conclusion is. I have no idea why so many job seekers are so invested in this coyness. The … [Read more...] about The Job Search is Not a Striptease
Dr. Karen’s Rules of the Research Statement
We've looked at the Cover Letter and the CV and the Teaching Statement. Today we look at the Research Statement. An expanded and updated version of this post can now be found in Chapter 27 of my book, The Professor Is In: The … [Read more...] about Dr. Karen’s Rules of the Research Statement
The Dreaded Teaching Statement: Eight Pitfalls
We've looked at the Cover Letter and the CV; today we look at the Teaching Statement. An expanded and updated version of this post can now be found in Chapter 25 of my book, The Professor Is In: The Essential Guide to Turning Your Ph.D. Into … [Read more...] about The Dreaded Teaching Statement: Eight Pitfalls
Update on My Book: Blurbs, Reviews, and a Promotion
The book inches closer to actually existing in the material world (August 4)! It has gotten some lovely blurbs by amazing people, like this one by the inimitable Rebecca Schuman: “If you would like your academic career to begin in delusion and end … [Read more...] about Update on My Book: Blurbs, Reviews, and a Promotion
Buy My Book!
Love the blog? Now get it in handy book form--only $11.40! Available for pre-order now--comes out August 4! Buy it at all these places! It also makes a great gift for all those struggling grad students in your life! For bulk orders for use … [Read more...] about Buy My Book!
Dr. Karen’s (Partial) Rules for the Artist’s Statement
It may surprise you to hear that I edit Artist Statements, but I do. Not a ton, but enough that this post has become necessary. I want to urge everyone to read this excellent post on the subject by Ben Davis, which targets the kind of overblown, … [Read more...] about Dr. Karen’s (Partial) Rules for the Artist’s Statement
Adjectives Are Not Arguments, Part I
It is time that all of you grasped a simple yet profound truth of academic writing: adjectives are not arguments. Simply repeating the words: complex multivalent/multidirectional/multiplicitous unique diasporic transnational … [Read more...] about Adjectives Are Not Arguments, Part I
Break The Cycle of List-Addiction (Or, Just Say No To Flabby Logic)
[This is a repost] Too many of you are addicted to lists in your writing. What does this look like? Well, something like this: “In sum, my dissertation uses interviews, surveys, textual analysis, and internet research in order to explore the impact … [Read more...] about Break The Cycle of List-Addiction (Or, Just Say No To Flabby Logic)