Scientific Writing, Module 3

Online workshop

Content

For scientists and researchers in today’s world, writing well in English is of utmost importance for professional success. The best scientific ideas and results often become meaningless if they cannot be effectively communicated. In fact, so-called “soft” writing skills often translate to “hard” results for the writer: successfully completing a PhD, or having papers readily accepted for publication.

While writing in general and writing in English in particular are integral aspects of academic life, many researchers are often unsure about what is considered "good writing," what makes a paper written in English successful, or how the writing and publication process can best be managed.

Learning aims

Specifically designed for doctoral candidates, the three Scientific Writing modules offered by the CDS address such questions. The modules’ overall goal is to help you gain a deeper understanding of how you can communicate your research most effectively to your readers. In these modules, we will discuss and practice important strategies for writing English sentences, paragraphs, and papers that meet the expectations of readers, reviewers, and editors alike. Each of the modules will make you aware of fundamental criteria for good scientific writing in English, and will, therefore, help you prepare your own texts more easily for publication.

Please note that the three modules can be taken independently and in any order as they each focus on different aspects of scientific writing. The modules will be taught entirely in English. To participate and benefit the most, you should be able to communicate fluently in English (approximately B2 level or above). Hence, a placement test result or a corresponding international certificate (CAE; IELTS; TOEFL etc.) is required. More information on placement tests can be found on the RWTH Language Center website, www.sz.rwth-aachen.de.

Module 3 will help you to develop the following skills:

• formulating to-the-point research questions

• structuring research papers, i.e. writing effective introductions, methods, results/discussions and conclusions

• creating effective titles

• crafting powerful abstracts

• referencing secondary sources using appropriate citation styles

• paraphrasing secondary sources

• replying to calls for papers and submitting a research paper

Participation Requirements

All three modules are open to members of the CDS with a minimum B2 level of English – as certified by the placement test of the Language Center.

Placement Test:

Writing a placement test at the Language Center before the registration is essential because otherwise a registration via the user-account is not possible.

Please note the dates for the placement tests: http://www.sz.rwth-aachen.de/cms/sz/Fremdsprachen/Termine/~iphr/Einstufungstests/

Technical requirements:

PC/laptop, microphone, loudspeaker, Internet & optional camera

Target Audience

doctoral candidates, who are registered in the Center for Doctoral Studies

Further Information on Target Audience

The course is intended for CDS members who have not submitted their PhD theses and are interested in improving their scientific writing skills.