ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ

Introduction

This nine week module provides a genre-based focus on academic scientific papers.

Through a focus on models of professional writing, it explores particular features of science papers such as how to reference to the literature, where and when to outline the methodology, and how to present results and conclusions.

An integral part of this approach is for participants to bring along samples of their own writing (e.g. lab reports or research articles). Students will be asked to provide critiques and action plans, as well as to engage in peer reviews.

Module Aims

• to allow students to develop and demonstrate their capacity to communicate scientific research through writing extended articles;
• to provide a positive learning environment in which students can discuss their written work and engage in peer review;
• to encourage students to systematically think of writing and researching as processes with distinct phases;
• to facilitate the development of a range of critical thinking skills, transferable to a range of careers relating to the Sciences;
• to enable the development of a range of key skills in communicating science, transferable to a range of career options.
• to draw on theoretical aspects such as corpus-based linguistics, readability, genre analysis and stylistics to enhance awareness of text construction and development.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Comprehension of advanced writing strategies
• Advanced understanding of argumentation strategies
• Ability to plan, structure and write an extended scientific essay
• Ability to apply advanced critical thinking strategies to writing

Indicative Syllabus

1. Writing and research as a process
2. The extended scientific paper
3. A genre-based approach to writing scientific texts
4. Appropriate use and reference to the literature
5. Accuracy of language in scientific writing
6. Self and peer editing skills
7. Action Planning and identifying strengths and weaknesses

Weekly Programme

Week 1: ‘Process’, ‘product’ and ‘contextual’ approaches to scientific writing

Week 2: Issues of style and word order in constructing effective scientific discourse

Week 3: Use of the literature, referencing and scholarship skills

Week 4: Writing effective methods sections

Week 5: Developing appropriate argumentation in scientific writing

Week 6: Writing up data, results and discussion sections of a paper

Week 7: Drawing and writing effective conclusions; showing awareness of limitations

Week 8: Peer editing and self-assessment of written texts

Week 9: Developing more effective presentation skills; proofreading and editing

Main course book:

Swales, J. & C. Feak. 2007. Academic Writing for Graduate Students. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on submission of an e-portfolio of 4 pieces of evaluative writing.

Teaching Methods

The module is taught in interactive seminars, involving a balance between small group discussion and teacher-led input. Group work is expected in certain tasks, and peer review is encouraged, as is collaborative research.

Any queries regarding this module, please contact Transferable.skills@warwick.ac.uk

See the module handbook for the full detail of the course and forms to be completed as you progress through the course.