This course is for students interested in writing in English for purposes of academic communication. The instructor is a native English speaker with a lot of experience in research in academia and industry, and writing/editing of scientific papers. S/he will help you develop practical writing skills in science. The course will be challenging but relaxed in a small class setting. A semi-private lesson allows a high level of personal attention and support by the instructor.
The course is aimed at graduate students who have intentions of working internationally using English.
At the end of the course students can write: 1) complete descriptions of people, objects and places, 2) descriptions of procedures and processes, 3) instructions on how to do something or how to make something , 4) write descriptions using dimensions and specifications, 5) write a resume or curriculum vitae for a job application, 6) write an acceptance or rejection email.
science writing, E-mail, CV
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Students are notified in class about the topic of the lecture, asked about the frequency with which they use writing techniques interesting for research, asked to give examples, are grouped into pairs to discuss problems, practice writing, discuss as an entire class, and are assigned homework.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Go through introduction to the course; class rules and orientation | Students learn to write introductions and describe themselves. |
Class 2 | Methods for describing structures: descriptions using vocabulary Writing methods for acceptance, rejection and informative emails for communication; and general email. | Students learn to write rejections, acceptances, notices giving new information, announcements and general email |
Class 3 | Writing methods for giving descriptions and introduction of vocabulary to describe dimensions; colors; shapes; materials; spatial, structural and physical characteristics or properties | Students learn methods and vocabulary to write descriptions of features using specific vocabulary |
Class 4 | Writing methods to describe people or animals using physical features; describing facial features; body shapes; clothing and materials; styles and pieces of clothing | Students learn to use physical features to give general descriptions of people or animals |
Class 5 | Writing methods to make comparing and contrasting statements between two subjects | Students learn to make contrasting or comparing statements for two or more different subjects |
Class 6 | Writing fundamentals for summarizing and writing summaries | Students learn to summarize articles and write a summary. |
Class 7 | Writing methods to give descriptions of procedures or processes to make, use, or repair things | Students learn to write instructional documents such as user manuals or how to do something |
Class 8 | Methods for writing resumes, CVs, and cover letters | Students learn how to write a resume or CV and cover letters. |
Not determined yet
Not determined yet
Homework assignments, in-class writing exercises, mid-term and final exams
None