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Review”Fifteen minutes!” you say. “That’s too good to be true!” Okay, author Joan Bolker admits she gave her book the title Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day to get the reader’s attention. And she admits that it’s improbable you’ll actually finish a dissertation at that speed. As she tells her clients, however, a mere 15 minutes is much better than no writing at all when they’re stuck. As a clinical psychologist who cofounded the Harvard Writing Center, Bolker has helped hundreds of writers finish their dissertations. She offers suggestions on how to formulate a writing addiction so that you feel not complete if you don’t write each day and stresses the need to set reasonable goals and deadlines for yourself to keep from getting discouraged. She likewise offers systems for dealing with both internal and external obstacles to attention and for fending off writer’s block. Even more crucial is the counsel on a good deal of of the more awkward issues affiliated to dissertation writing, such as how to choose your adviser carefully. (For example, when faced with the tradeoff among a famous advisor who is inaccessible and a less famous advisor who is more than willing to make time for you, Bolker advises, “If choosing a politically advantageous, widely known and esteemed consultant makes it improbable that you’ll finish your degree, it’s distinctly not worth it.”) The book even includes a helpful appendix for advisers that could become the basis for an honorable discussion of what student and adviser may suppose from each other. Throughout this magnificent book, Bolker acts as a therapist, cheerleader, and drill sergeant, all rolled into one. While a great deal of of the book’s counsel is of interest only to dissertation writers, much of the information–on battling writer’s block, for instance–is priceless to any individual engaged in writing. Rather than being filled with rules defining how to become a great writer, Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day is when it comes to finding the procedure by which you may be the most productive–it’s a set of exercises that you may use to find out more in regards to you and the way you write. Along the way, you’ll do a bit of writing. And that’s what matters, exceptionally when you experience writer’s block–as Bolker says, “Write anything, because writing is writing.” With it is helpful counsel and supportive tone, Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day must be required reading for any person giving careful consideration to writing a dissertation. –C.B. Delaney About the AuthorEditor of the best-selling The Writers Home Companion, Joan Bolker, Ed.D., has taught writing at Harvard, Wellesley, Brandeis, and Bard colleges. She is presently a psychotherapist whose speciality is working with engaged in a struggle writers. She lives in Newton, Massachusetts.

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Most helpful customer reviews

136 of 140 people found the following review helpful.
This book helped me finish my dissertation quickly
By Cassandra White
This book was extremely helpful. I bought this book about 9 months ago when I had only 2 chapters of my doctoral dissertation done. Now I am done with my dissertation (500 pages!) and about to graduate with a Ph.D. in anthropology. The tips and suggestions in this book were fantastic, and the tone of the book is very positive, unlike other dissertation-writing books I’ve read. Whenever I didn’t feel like writing, I would go to Joan Bolker’s book, and usually within a few minutes of reading, I would find something that would inspire me to write again. I would recommend this book to anyone trying to complete a writing project of any kind.

68 of 70 people found the following review helpful.
A Quick Read
By Jeffrey Leeper
The subtitle for this book is probably the more telling about the contents. This book is more of a guide to the whole process of writing the dissertation rather than the physical act of writing. Bolker discussing the writing as well as choosing a topic, choosing an advisor for your dissertation, and choosing a committee for your dissertation defense. Covered in the book are some of the psychological barriers that can hinder your finishing the dissertation, and some pitfalls to avoid (such as political battles with your advisor).

The primary thought is to develop the habit of writing. Some of the ideas may sound familiar to you, but they are no less true. Bolker states that you must develop the habit of writing everyday if you are going to build up the stamina and fortitude to completing the task. She does suggest a support group to assist in this.

The biggest draw for this book, for me, was that Bolker is an authority. She started two dissertations, one of which she did not finish. She has also worked with many students in writing their dissertations, and she knows from experience what works and what doesn’t (she points out a problem that can arise from writing solely on the computer).

I would recommend this book to anyone beginning the journey to finishing a dissertation. Do not take this information lightly.

147 of 161 people found the following review helpful.
START NOW
By Bonita L. Davis
When I first saw the book a strong urge came over me to get it. My inner critic said, what for? You’re not a Phd candidate. Sure, you’re writing a paper for a masters program but it isn’t the same as a dissertation. Don’t waste your money.

The argument was sound but the book’s call was much stronger. I purchased it. It was the best investment that I had made. Whether you are a Phd candidate trying to get your dissertation done or a wannabe intimidated by the thought of having to write one, this book must be on your required reading list!

If you have successfully completed high school, college and graduate school (masters level) then you have already written your fair share of papers. You have the technical and disciplined skills to write. Well then, what is the problem in doing a dissertation?

Bolker teaches one about learning how to develop a process of writing that is best for you. Once done she moves you from the process to the basic mechanics of getting the dissertation done. It is never to late in getting a head start on learning how to finish your doctoral thesis even before you are accepted into a Phd program. Start Now! The book is a tremendous stimulator.

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