MET513 Academic Writing in a Research Setting

• Topics

  • In order to turn a research idea into a text which is able to persuade other researchers of the relevance of the research question(s), the acceptability of the data interpretation and the claims made, it is important to become consciously aware of the linguistic and argumentative tools used in one's discipline. The course focuses on a number of issues (listed below under Topics) pertaining to writing as knowledge construction. The overall aim of the course is to become familiar with the writing practices of the social sciences/economics. Illustrations and exercise material will be drawn from the (sub)disciplines represented in the group. The following topics are included:
  • Academic writing as persuasion
  • The concept of discourse community (who are we writing for, what research community/communities do we belong to?)
  • The role and characteristics of English as a research language
  • Cultural differences in academic writing (linked to discipline/language)
  • Characteristics of research text genres
  • Argumentation patterns and linguistic features linked to reader/writer interaction
  • Interaction with previous research
  • Developing a writer identity
  • The publication process

• Learning outcome

  Upon completion of the course the candidate:

  knowledge

  • has knowledge of the main differences between language use in everyday contexts and language use in research communication
  • has knowledge of relevant linguistic concepts and terms within discourse analysis
  • has knowledge of the main genre characteristics and functions of the various parts of a research article
  • has knowledge of the social constructionist and rhetoric of science traditions in academic writing

  skills

  • can reflect on his/her own writing practices
  • can target a text to the intended audience
  • can reflect strategically on publication issues

• Required prerequisites

  Students must have produced a research-based text (minimum: master thesis)

• Requirements for course approval

  - Submission of own text for discussion in class

  - Attendance and active participation in all five lectures is expected; minimum attendance requirement is four lectures

• Assessment

  Individual term paper (3 weeks).

• Grading Scale

  Pass/Fail

• Computer tools

  None

• Literature

  A selection of articles and book chapters