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Chapter 8: Writing Well: The Basics

Abstract

Packed with practical steps and tools, this updated fourth edition of A Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Dissertation or Scholarly Project will help you plan, document, organize, and write your dissertation or scholarly project. Don’t go it alone; let author and fellow dissertation survivor Karen Roush help you get from square one to DONE.

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Description

Chapter 8 Abstract: Chapter 8 provides practical guidance for improving scholarly writing through clarity, conciseness, specificity, and strong organization. It emphasizes the use of precise language, active voice, concrete examples, effective transitions, and appropriate grammar to enhance reader understanding and engagement. The chapter also addresses common writing pitfalls, including redundancy, jargon, misplaced modifiers, and excessive complexity. Finally, it highlights the importance of revision, peer feedback, and proofreading in producing credible and impactful academic work.

Chapter 8 Epigraph: Contrary to popular belief, scholarly papers don't have to be dull and tedious. You're writing about something you think is important. So, you want to communicate that importance. The way to do that is through writing that has energy and voice—your voice. In the process of doing a dissertation or scholarly project, you'll become an expert in your topic; you've read all the literature and been out in the field. So, write with a strong voice. Be direct and confident. 

File Attachment. The attached file includes:

  • Book Cover (front and back),
  • Title Page,
  • Copyright Page,
  • About the Author,
  • Table of Contents,
  • Introduction,
  • Chapter 8, and
  • Index

Notes

EPUB ISBN: 9781646482597

PDF ISBN: 9781646482580

Author Details

Karen M. Roush, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Nursing at Pace University in New York, where she teaches doctoral and graduate students. Roush served for many years as Editorial Director and Clinical Managing Editor of the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) and is currently News Director for the journal. She is an award-winning writer who has authored multiple consumer healthcare books, numerous nursing articles in peer-reviewed journals, essays, and poetry.

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Lead Author Affiliation

Pace University, New York, New York, USA

Type

Book Chapter

ISBN

9781646482498

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Expert Opinion (nationally/internationally recognized)

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Nursing Research, Writing, Academic Dissertations, Literature Review, Artificial Intelligence, AI

Identifier Type

ISBN

Publisher

Sigma Theta Tau International

City

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Version

Publisher's Version

Rights Holder

Copyright © 2026 by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing - All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright. No part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Any trademarks, service marks, design rights, or similar rights that are mentioned, used, or cited in this book are the property of their respective owners. Their use here does not imply that you may use them for a similar or any other purpose.

Review Type

None: Professionally Edited Material

Acquisition

Publisher-submission

Date of Issue

2026-06-22

Full Text of Presentation

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[Excerpt from] A Nurse's Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Dissertation or Scholarly Project, Fourth Edition

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