As students, we are used to writing as the preparation for and performance of examinations - Demonstrate learning and ability to think critically - Associated with independent research - separate from other contexts - academia - Treated as procedure > "Studying does not prepare students for independent research - *it is independent research*" - gaining unexpected insight - sharing with the public > "There is no such thing as private knowledge in academia; an idea kept private is as good as a fact you never had - and a fact no one can reproduce is no fact at all." The truth is *public* (not always) > The professor is not there for the student, and the student not for the professor. Both are only there for the truth. And truth is always a public matter. > > - Wilhelm von Humboldt The university's aim is publication - academic papers - presentation handouts Reading, listening is source of writing Developing actual, open questions about the material * this is what is worth writing about Develop ability to distinguish b/w good-sounding arguments and *actually* good ones - make connections w/ previous knowledge, beliefs - cannot rephrase things if we don't know what it's about - creating something new Deliberate practice is the only way to improve