Researchers
Thesis Writing Groups
Offers regular meetings for postgraduate research students in a structured environment to write, share experiences and writing advice in groups of six.
Academic Writing Series
A yearly course starting in November and ending in July (also main part of the Research Student Skills Programme (RSSP)).
As the standard of academic writing is most advanced at postgraduate research level, you should be able to:
- critically engage with material at expert level;
- produce complex, analytical arguments;
- make substantial contribution to knowledge through your research.
Here, your writing ability needs to access aspects of
- semantics
- grammatical versatility
- detail emphasis
- lexical fluency
- coordination.
Its result should be a written product which investigates specific topics in a manner aimed towards discovery and, essentially, education of readership.
This series of practical talks and workshops covers the intricacies of writing required in an academic research-level context. It addresses all students of all disciplines.
Workshops in the series: |
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“…when I was writing my PhD – a real shot in the arm”
Dr Deborah Biggerstaff, Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School
- Craswell, G. 2004. Writing for Academic Success. Sage Publications.
- Gillett, A. 2009. Inside Track to Successful Academic Writing. Pearson.
- Murray, N. 2012. Writing Essays in English Language and Linguistics. Cambridge University Press.
- Murray, R. Thomas, 2008. Theses and Dissertations: A Guide to Planning, Research, and Writing, Corwin Press.
- Creme, P. and M. Lea, 2008. Writing at University: A guide for students. Open University Press.
- Hamp-Lyons, L. and Heasley, B. 2006. Study Writing. Cambridge University Press.
- Oshima, A. & Hogue, A. 2005. Writing Academic English. Addison-Wesley, New York.
- Swales, J.and C. Feak. 2012. Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Skills and Tasks. Michigan University Press.
Getting It 'Out Now!': Publisher Gatekeepers and Co-Authoring/Editing (for final year doctoral students)
This session looks at publisher gatekeepers. Publisher gatekeepers are standing between you and publication. We examine this as it relates to journal editors, commissioning editors and all kinds of journalistic editors (including radio and TV producers). The session considers the point of forming such relationships and how this connects with an impact agenda as well as career development from MA to PhD and onwards. What is the best way to navigate the dynamics of these relationships in terms of how we should present ourselves both professionally and personally? What do publishers of text and copy want? What do TV news editors and radio producers want? How and when do these stakeholders want it? What is the right way to behave for success? The session looks specifically at initial enquiries to journal editors to gauge interest (thereby avoiding futile submissions), book publisher proposal forms, and speculative pitches to journalism editors as well as handling journalistic responses in a timely manner. We deliberate the thorny decisions involved in co-authorship and consider some of the joys, benefits, difficulties and pitfalls of teaming up to write. Overall the session is designed to help you feel confident in beginning such enquiries and dealing with this part of the academic landscape. This course suits those with ambitions to write, edit and perhaps speak publicly outside of academia.
Please note: this course does not cover matters such as how to write a good abstract or to utilise submission portals. Warwick Student Development covers these matters in a separate course – please note this course is about navigating the publishing landscape in respect of formation of relationships to get ahead.
Taking place 26 March 2019. Book here via SkillsForge.
Writing Consultations for PGRs
Starting 30 October, every Tuesday 2-4.30pm. Drop-in sessions, University House
This Autumn we introduce weekly Writing Consultations for PGR’s in support of the Academic Writing Series above and, indeed, more widely. If you are a Masters by research or Phd student and would like to talk specifically academic writing, then please simply go to the Learning Grid in the University House, between 2 and 4.30pm on Tuesdays (starting 31 October.) No need to book.
A Quick Guide to Research Study and Thesis Writing for, and as, International Students
This talk focuses specifically on explaining the challenges which await PhD international students, presented from an international student’s perspective. You may think of this as part of your induction and a chance to learn about various aspects of PhD life and writing which your department may not have mentioned. It is a talk designed to make PhD experience easier, under the influence of expected cultural shock, by knowing and being prepared for certain difficulties typically experienced by international students in a new and very unfamiliar environment.
We will make sure we have 15 mins dedicated to your questions. Please bring them along.