Barbara E. Kahn
The Professor as a Writer
About the Professor
Professor Kahn is the Patty and Jay H. Baker Professor of Marketing and the Director of the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center at the Wharton School. Her research interests lie in applied psychology with respect to marketing including consumer behavior and decision-making processes as well as assortment in retailing. Professor Kahn has published more than 50 articles in leading marketing journals and is the president of the Association of Consumer Research, the Journal of Consumer Research Policy Board and a Marketing Science Institute Trustee. Dr. Kahn’s writing includes academic articles, books and “thought pieces” for magazines. Her recent writing includes a new book on Global Branding published by Wharton Digital Press.
PERSONAL WRITING PROCESS
Dr. Kahn’s writing process emphasizes pre-writing and planning. She remarks "I usually stew for a while until I come up with an outline. That helps me to see what I'm trying to say and how it fits together." Dr. Kahn feels that outlines are especially important for talks and powerpoint presentations. For an academic paper, Dr. Kahn looks towards results and data for inspiration.
Important Criteria for Student Writing
Primary Importance:
- Having original ideas
- Organization
- Demonstrating mastery of others’ ideas
- Following the assignment instructions
- Reasoning and evidence
- Style
Secondary Importance:
- Grammar and mechanics
- Following the discipline’s citation practices
- Proper formatting
RECOMMENDED READING
Behavioral decision theorist Dick Thaler.
MORE INFORMATION AND WRITING EXAMPLES
Barbara E. Kahn's Page© 2013 The University of Pennsylvania
