What we intend to do in this book is to explain, and exemplify, in a
nuts-and-bolts way, what we are calling Scholarly Personal Narrative
(SPN) writing. This is a genre created over 15 years ago by Robert, one
of the co-authors of this book. The other co-author, DeMethra, has
actually written a thesis and dissertation using this genre, so she
brings an author's direct SPN experience to the table. Both of us
co-teach a course that we call "Scholarly Personal Narrative Writing for
Pre-Professionals and Professionals." In the chapters that follow, we
will present a step-by-step approach for composing an SPN manuscript.
The book will be comprised of four general parts, consisting of several
short, practical chapters, written in non-technical language. We will
write each of the chapters as a way of responding to the most common
questions that our students have raised about SPN writing through the
years. We will attempt to write as we teach, with no frills and with
clarity, empathy, and understanding. We will also provide several SPN
writing examples, as well as authorial toolbox tips, throughout the
book. In addition, we will conclude with a bibliography of the most
relevant personal narrative writing guides we have been able to muster.
Our desire is to minimize the number of in-text citations and references
in order to maximize the space for us to present a useful,
nuts-and-bolts guide to writing, as well as a realistic, down-to-earth
rationale for scholarly personal narrative writing in the academy. After
reading the book, and practicing the writing exercises, undergraduate
and graduate students will be able to author research papers, theses,
and dissertations using the Scholarly Personal Narrative research genre.
Hundreds of students have done this already throughout the country.
