Dissertation Writing

[Karima Char]

Hello,

I'm writing the 1st chapter of my dissertation about immigration and assimilation in the USA, as you maybe know, every chapter in a dissertation must set a goal/aim at the start and reach/conclude a result in the end. My question is about the expression 'draw a picture', the content in my chapter is . . . the first chapter is an attempt to draw a picture of assimilation in the USA. I need to know if this expression is academic, so that I can use it, or not. 

Thank you

Karima

[juilletmercredi]

Well, the expression is not academic.  That doesn't mean that you can't use it.  (I wouldn't, though.  There are other more...'formal' phrases you can use to say the same thing.)

 

This is really a question that your advisor should answer.  Just keep writing, and submit the chapter as a draft to your adviser and see what they say.

[ldoone]

'Paint a picture' is more idiomatic but I wouldn't necessarily use either 

[Elli389]

You've probably already moved beyond this, but just a suggestion:

 

It's probably best to avoid a phrase like "the first chapter is an attempt to (draw a picture)"

This makes you sound very unsure.

 

Perhaps you'd be better with a phrase such as "the first chapter will (draw a picture)"...