IMPRS workshop: Academic writing: How to create good texts

Category: Transferable skills
Credit points: 0.4

1. Time & place

March 20, 2017: 09.00 - 17.00
March 21, 2017: 09.00 - 16.00

MPI for Chemical Ecology, Haeckel room

2. The instructor

Melanie Lynn Conrad from Golin Wissenschaftsmanagement
For logistic matters (including registration issues), please contact the IMPRS office (cvoelckel@ice.mpg.de).

3. Description

For many young scientists writing is the most difficult part of research work. Poor structure, breakneck formulations and unclear argumentation lead to texts which are not too user friendly. However, for the success of academics it is essential that the content is successfully conveyed to the relevant target groups – from the subject community to the wider public.

The methods and instruments of scientific writing can be learnt. With a few select mechanisms for structuring and techniques for building arguments, it becomes possible to articulate even complex data clearly and comprehensibly. Coherently built up and convincingly formulated, even academic texts can be an exciting read!

In this workshop the process of academic writing is highlighted from the first idea through the structuring and formation of the text to its completion. The participants engage with the content related, formal and organisational aspects of writing and train their text competency with exercises. The following topics are covered:

>> Abstract, article, thesis:

Text types and reasons for writing in academia

>> From idea to text:

Topic selection, structure, argumentation

>> Rummaging, digging, serving it hot:

Research strategies

>> Writing as a process:

Utilising creative bursts – avoiding blocks

>> The eye reads too:

Convention and form

>> Academic writing:

My next steps

4. Feedback

Click here to see the feedback of the participants. Statistics and statements should not be taken as an exhaustive or exclusive list.