Writing Science

In this course, students learn to think about scientific writing as storytelling. Every week, teacher and students will engage in group analysis, dissection, and editing of written work, both of previously published papers and own manuscript sections. Through writing exercises and peer review, students will learn about proper paper structures, effective figures and tables, power positions, and SUCCES elements.

Contents

* Scientific papers as stories

* Creating an outline

* Story structure and story elements

* IMRaD

* Paragraph structure

* Sentence structure

* Energizing writing

* Approaches to revising

Final competences

1. Knowledge on theory about writing sentences, paragraphs, papers

2. Ability to provide constructive criticism to colleagues (peer review)

3. Ability to engage the reader

4. Ability to apply SUCCES and OCAR concepts in writing manuscripts

5. Write sections of a manuscript throughout the semester

Teaching methods

Lectures, group work, peer assessment, independent work, in-class discussions, independent work (written assignments and peer review). A typical class consists of three parts: lecture by the instructor, analysis of written work as a group, and writing exercises and peer group discussion.

Target audience

Recent graduates, PhD students, (short-term) visiting scholars, adults interested in R&D

Exam / Certificate

Grading will be based on written assignments (40%), peer group discussions during class (25%), and a written exam (35%). 

Type of course

This is an on campus course. 

Schedule

As soon as we have enough interested parties, we will organize the course. Therefore we recommend that you register on our waiting list.

Waitinglist

Textbooks

• Heard SB (2022) The Scientist’s Guide to Writing. Princeton University Press, New Jersey, USA. 368 pp. https://scientistseessquirrel.wordpress.com/the-scientists-guide-to-writing/ 
• Schimel J (2012) Writing Science: How to write papers that get cited and proposals that get funded. Oxford University Press, New York, USA. 221 pp. https://www.bol.com/be/nl/f/writing-science/33430004/ 

PDFs of book chapters will be provided for assigned readings. Two copies of these textbooks can be borrowed from the instructor for those wo prefer physical books.

KMO-portefeuille

Information on "KMO-portefeuille": https://www.ugent.be/nl/opleidingen/levenslang-leren/kmo

Organisation

Science Academy (IPVW)

Faculty of Science

science-academy@ugent.be

Website