Hi Jill

I suppose encouragement would be a key form of support. It would feel daunting to me, and I'd be worried that what I was writing was going to be judged by people who have (or think they have) a far better grasp of theories and concepts than lay people, and CD practioners. It would be really useful to see examples or extracts of articles written by practioners, to get ideas about different styles that practioners could write in. Support might be needed around expectations or conventions around referencing. Also advice on acceptable word counts - is there such a thing as too short? And perhaps advice on the overall structure of shape of an article - could it be written as a sort of story of experience or learning, or does it need to have an initial proposition (is that the right term?) which the writer goes on to prove or disprove with evidence? And I think it is worth remembering at all times that CD practioners come from all walks of life and very different experiences of formal education.

Although I went to university I didn't do much essay writing as an engineering undergraduate, so have no idea if my argument in a given piece of writing is coming from a Marxist or any other perspective, as I don't really understand what such perspectives are and remember finding that very alienating when I took a human relations module in another department. It would be good to bust myths or perceptions that people writing articles need to have any particular level or type of education. So again, back to encouragement, that feels most important to me - perhaps provide buddies to encourage and guide aspiring article writers.

<p>The most important part of the process is having someone suggest writing to you specifically in the first place and then be supportive, critical and encouraging to get you started. I'd like to have a clear outline of the 'normal' pattern of academic articles, showing how the argument needs to start from placing it in the existing knowledge through the context for the 'action-research' to the methods, findings and bibliography. Links to some scholar-activist (or activist-scholar) pieces would be helpful and an encouragement to be open about limits and constraints of the work. It takes time to write well and an estimate of how long an author might need to set aside for each element of the process would be great. Access to an academic library and to a 'tutor' would also really help to support the process. I'd love to write up my work but feel nervous of the response of a wider academic audience to my pratlings! </p>

<p>thanks Lorna - most useful. Writing buddies seem to be the most useful aspect that has arisen so far. I am just about to post some documents on changes networking site which you find useful.<br /> cheers<br /> jill </p>