Academic Writing

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 learned. 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 organizational 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

Amanda Habbershaw, was born in London and has a Master’s degree in Applied Foreign Languages. She is a certified English language and cross-cultural trainer for adults and has taught English in various universities for twenty years. Since 2012, she has developed a specialization in scientific English and holds workshops on English communication skills for researchers and PhD candidates.