How to Do a Second Draft in 2hrs

Nicholas Adams University of Birmingham, with help from many friends

Nicholas Adams with students

Introduction

If you are dyslexic and struggle with ordering materials, and especially if you find it difficult to keep track of editing decisions in your head, this set of exercises is for you.

It is common for dyslexic students to have great material and a coherent argument, but still to find it a struggle to find an elegant final structure - perhaps because there are so many moving parts in a big piece of work. Many dyslexic students in the past, some of whom are now lecturers in universities, have found ways to manage. This is an opportunity to learn from them, and try out things which worked for them.

Getting ready

This exercise is for students working in pairs, inspired by chevruta study.

Tasks are in purple
Key information is in bold
There are 10 more pages in this unit, each with one task
Most important advice: take it slowly.
Rough timings are suggested, please take as long as you need
Breaks are included - do take a break when suggested!

Task Zero

What you will need:

a printed copy of an essay/chapter;
a blank sheet of lined paper;
a pair of scissors; coloured pens;
a phone with a camera.

Moving on - Nick will talk you through the series of exercises

Structuring for students with dyslexia p.1