Wr_08: ONLINE Shaping the storyline: focus on introduction, discussion and conclusion of research papers

For researchers from life, natural and engineering sciences | Level all

Online Workshop

Date: 22.-24.11.2023
Time: 09.00 - 17.00 hrs with flexible time schedules and breaks
Trainer: Prof. Dr. Monique Dorang
Language: English
Participants: max. 12 persons
Credit Point: acknowledged with 1 CP for the doctoral training programme of RUB-RS Certificate
Participation requirement: you should be ready to submit an individual text as well as a publication by a leading author in your field prior to the workshop (you will get a "Call for text" with all details ~ 2 weeks before the workshop).

This workshop addresses doctoral researchers whose English language skills are advanced and who are currently in the process of drafting or revising a journal manuscript. Activities are aimed at strengthening the scientific narrative in the Introduction, Discussion and/or Conclusion sections.

Course Description

Ahead of the course, participants will receive a “Call for two texts” inviting them to submit a 500-word writing sample from the Introduction, Discussion or Conclusion section, on the basis of which they will receive individual trainer feedback during the course. Participants will equally be asked to select and submit a published research article authored by a leading scientist in their field.

These self-selected research articles will serve course participants as a reference on text genre with regard to the organization of content and the use of structural elements of style. In a comparative approach, participants will first explore the build-up of the scientific argument in the Introduction, Discussion or Conclusion section of the research articles they have selected. Then, with a focus on shaping their own scientific narrative, they will be guided through mini drafting sessions that will help develop relevant sections of their own manuscript.

Finally, course participants will be invited to put newly gained skills and understanding into practice by drafting and revising a second writing sample, on which they will again receive trainer feedback with regard to language correctness and style. This second writing sample is to be submitted within three days of the final course day.

Course activities will include

• submitting a 500-word Introduction, Discussion or Conclusion for trainer feedback
• selecting and submitting a published research article authored by a leading scientist
• sudying self-selected research articles to see how leading authors: 
  • define the research context and join the scientific discourse
  • illustrate the pertinence of their research approach
  • highlight the relevance of their findings
  • and point to future research
• developing the scientific narrative in mini drafting sessions:
  • anticipating reader questions
  • interpreting findings
  • addressing potential limitations in one’s own research
• evaluating course achievements and setting future goals
• finalizing and revising a second writing sample for trainer feedback

Online course design

In a blended learning environment, this course combines remote Zoom conference meetings, which include forum debates or small group discussions, and guided individual work. Participation in the video conference meetings via audio and video is therefore required in order to validate attendance.

English language skills

Please note that a prerequisite to benefit from this course is that participants should have achieved the English level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and be progressing towards level C2.

Trainer

Professor Monique Dorang, PhD, is a trainer and consultant for academic writing and publishing. She conducts courses for graduates and postdocs in collaboration with graduate schools and research centres and offers editing and counselling for individual authors.

Please click here to register for the workshop: REGISTRATION

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