Chapter 9

‘The Hero’s Journey’: Paying Attention to the Emotional Aspects of Academic Writing, and Making Meaning from its Ups, Downs and Paradoxes

Sarah Moore

Abstract

This chapter explores the emotional dimensions of academic writing, identifying its important emotional drivers and prohibitors. It highlights the difficulties associated with the writing process and emphasizes that the process is experienced often as a series of challenges and struggles to be navigated. By drawing parallels between the writing ‘journey’ and the features of Campbell’s ‘hero’s journey’ it provides a framework and language for supporting academic writing that could be helpful for supervisors and their students. Associated concepts including the paradoxes of academic writing and issues of genre and expression within disciplines are also explored. References cited in this chapter include the link to a video clip of the author discussing similar themes.

Total Pages: 204-215 (12)

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