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Five Online Tools for Doing Social Research

Phyllis L. F. RippeyApril 25, 2025May 18, 2026

Since the late 20th century—and especially with the rise of Google, new technologies, and AI—the academic landscape has evolved to offer significant support to writers and researchers through a variety of tools, websites, and software. These advancements provide ease and assistance throughout the writing process, from crafting introductions and developing research questions to organizing ideas, structuring conclusions, and managing citations.… Read More “Five Online Tools for Doing Social Research”

Writing Prompts to Overcome Writer’s Block

Phyllis L. F. RippeyApril 25, 2025May 18, 2026

by Vera Oko

Just like creative writers, academic writers experience writer’s block—a state where ideas and words refuse to flow, making writing feel impossible. In addition to this challenge, finding time to write and being in the right mood can be difficult.… Read More “Writing Prompts to Overcome Writer’s Block”

Show notes

In this episode, we find our host particularly giggly with Dr. Maggie M. Werner, professor of writing and rhetoric at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, as they explore the politics of language and writing. The conversation begins with Dr.… Read More “Researching Writing & Portmanteau Words with Dr. Maggie Werner ”

Navigating Risky Research with Philippe Frowd, PhD

In this episode, Phyllis speaks with Professor Philippe Frowd, PhD, about his research on the politics of security and migration governance, particularly in the Sahel region of West Africa. Philippe shares his experiences accessing hard-to-reach participants, such as border guards and policymakers, using networks and unexpected encounters to build trust.… Read More “Navigating Risky Research with Philippe Frowd, PhD”

Please stop starting letters like this…

Phyllis L. F. RippeyDecember 10, 2024May 18, 2026

Dear Admissions/Grant Funding/Whatever committee,

My name is Phyllis Rippey and I’m applying for your program in _______________. blah blah blah…

Sincerely,

Phyllis Rippey

Please, for the love of all that is holy, please stop starting letters, statements of purpose, emails, or any other kind of persuasive writing by stating your name.… Read More “Please stop starting letters like this…”

Show Summary

In this episode, Phyllis digs into what we can learn from error (our own and others) with the brilliant Dr. Michael Allan, a comparative literature professor at the University of Oregon. They kick things off with Mike’s latest research on late-19th-century filmmaker Alexandre Promio of the Lumière Brothers, unpacking what it means to “research an ellipsis.”… Read More “Researching an Ellipsis with Dr. Michael Allan”

Good Writing Checklist

Phyllis L. F. RippeySeptember 12, 2019May 19, 2026

Below is a checklist you can use to help guide your writing, whether it’s for a term paper, a thesis, or a peer-reviewed publication. Good papers should be able to answer yes to all of the questions.

Organization

Does the title clearly and accurately tell the reader what the paper is about?

… Read More Read More

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Tag: writing

Five Online Tools for Doing Social Research

Writing Prompts to Overcome Writer’s Block

Please stop starting letters like this…

Good Writing Checklist

Organization