Writing style differences with supervisor

[deadmau5]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Just wondering if anyone has run into a similar issue:

I would say I write pretty well, I've contributed to a number of publications. I'm not perfect, but I do encourage feedback and I am certainly open to it. I'm fine with going through multiple revisions.

Over the past couple of months (even before grad started), I was involved in writing things for my supervisor. Whenever I submit anything to the supervisor, it comes back 90-95% rewritten. My own thoughts are no longer apparent on the page.

For example, I sent my funding application proposal, which is to be a 1-page research design. I had worked on it for a two days straight. I read it over several times and out loud. The supervisor re-wrote 95% of the proposal, while I only asked for general comments. I have not had this problem before. I usually got post-docs and other supervisors to read over my documents and would get suggestions based on the overall points of the proposal/paper. The supervisor has told me that this is will benefit me, however, I do not see the benefits. The writing is significantly better, I'll admit, but like I said, I thought I was able to convey my thoughts clearly.

 

[PsychPhDone]

It sucks but it's par for the course. Part of academia is learning that you aren't as good as you think you are and not as good as you could be. If you'd prefer a different sort of feedback you might have to ask for it more directly or switch mentors.

I swear it's common:
http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1441

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Piled Higher & Deeper... I love that comic strip!

As for writing styles....get used to it. I've "acquired" at least 6-8 different writing styles during my training. 2 paragraph summaries, 2 page summaries, 20+ page neuro evals...you never know when you'll need something new! 😉

Supervisors aren't going to change their style, so you need to learn how to adapt. Whenever you get a new supervisor, ask for example notes/reports/etc. One of the best things about graduating and getting out "in the real world" is that you can have your writing style back. I can write pretty much however I want now, and it is oddly satisfying.

 

[deadmau5]

well thanks for the replies.

I am the first graduate student to this person. i talked to several undergrads in the lab and they have the same problem.

i ended up calming down and accepting the changes. however, i am planning to talk to the supervisor about the process of "revising". i would like more of a critique and less of a re-write, as i find that more instructive and helpful.

 

[Psychadelic2012]

I am the first graduate student to this person. i talked to several undergrads in the lab and they have the same problem.

i ended up calming down and accepting the changes. however, i am planning to talk to the supervisor about the process of "revising". i would like more of a critique and less of a re-write, as i find that more instructive and helpful.

I'm in the same position--first student to a new, tenure-track professor (although she has taken on others now, 2 years after I started). I think you'll just have to suck it up. Don't take it personally. I think it would be better to keep the peace. Maybe ask if your advisor has time to give you an explanation of the rewrite so that you can learn from it--it may sound better to them. But then you may just have to realize that this will continue to happen, at least until s/he calms down and gets tired of doing so much work every time!!