996004 Advanced Academic Writing for Doctoral Researchers in the Social Sciences and Humanities (WS) (WiSe 2012/2013)

This course is intended for those who intend to write their doctoral thesis in English or would like to publish in English. It will include an explanation of the key features of academic writing, structural principles, and aspects of linguistics related to readability. Central to the course are peer review workshops in which participants’ own writing will be reviewed and improved. Some of the topics that will be covered:

• Generating Ideas – the Origins of Creativity
• Appropriate Academic Style: “Show the Data/Tell the Story”
• Building Effective Arguments: From Critical Reading to Critical Writing
• The Classic Moves of an Academic Introduction
• Review/Improve Your Storyline
• Third Person, Past Tense & Passive Voice: Who Says?
• Proof-checking, Collocation & Idiom Exercises
• (Alternative) Structures for Academic Papers
• What Makes a Proficient Writer?

Course trainer: Mike Gould – director of communication consultants Michael Gould Associates in the Netherlands – teaches academic writing at PhD level.

As preparation for the course, you are required to hand in 4-6 pages of your own writing in English beforehand, complete a short writing assignment (more information will follow) and read Chapter 3 of Hengl/Gould: The Unofficial Guide for Authors (see
below) Note: The deadline for submitting your work is Oct 15th.

Requirements for participation, required level

To participate in this course you must possess proficiency in written English and be currently engaged in academic writing in English (e.g. for your thesis).

If there a vacancies, doctoral researchers from other social science and humanities departments may participate in this course. However, preference will be given to BGHS-members. The maximum number of participants is 12.

Bibliography

Hengl, T., Gould, M., Gerritsma W., 2nd edition, 2011. The Unofficial Guide for Authors (From Research Design to Publication), 149 pp. Published by www.lulu.com. ISBN: 978-90-817741-0-9

http://www.archive.org/details/TheUnofficialGuideForAuthors