Academic Writing: How to Compose a Seminar Paper, Research Article or Thesis

This course is for bachelor and master students across the University who want to work towards completing a longer academic text such as a research article, a thesis or a seminar paper.

This academic writing course is most suitable for students who have started their research and are already writing a paper to submit to a supervisor or publisher. The course follows the write – review – revise cycle to nurture productive writing strategies and ensure quality output. It combines the following components to help you turn your own concepts and/or data into a solid draft or a readable manuscript.

<b>Instruction by the lecturer</b>
During input sessions, the lecturer familiarizes you with the structural and language-related requirements for each section of your research output. You are introduced to templates, style guides and digital writing resources and supported in adapting them to your discipline.

<b>Structured and regular text production</b>
Throughout the course you are motivated to grow your text by regularly writing parts according to goals and milestones you set for yourself.

<b>Feedback from peers and the lecturer</b>
Feedback sessions with peers and the lecturer develop your ability to formulate and receive constructive written and oral comments that improve the quality of texts and steer them towards completion.

The total break time will be 30 minutes per session.

<b>Should the progression of the pandemic allow it, classes will again be offered on site.</b>

Course information

Course level
C1
20 Lessons
Lecturer
Riana Paola, PhD
Credit points
2 ECTS
Registration deadline
Thursday 07.10.2021
Course fee
Students and PhD candidates: CHF 243.00
Members of staff: CHF 483.00
Alumni: CHF 483.00
Alumni FHNW: CHF 483.00

Course materials

Script

Attendance

Number of absences allowed: 1

Coursework

Participants are expected to:
  • participate actively in class;
  • complete learning assessments;
  • spend 3 hours per course session on preparing and reviewing the lesson and on autonomous learning.

Credit points

To earn the credit points, students must fulfill the attendance requirement, complete the coursework, and pass the required number of assessments. The course is graded on a pass-fail basis.

Homework

± 180 minutes / week

Placement test

To gain entry to this course, participants must submit a writing sample on at least level C1. You will receive instructions in this regard shortly after registration.

Replacement date

The supplementary replacement date for lessons that might not take place is: 4 December 2021 from 10:00 - 16:00.

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