(This course was offered in 2017. Please see our Events Calendar for current offerings)
We are offering a 6-week intensive course for postdocs who are preparing a manuscript for publication.
Course description: Writing a manuscript for journal publication is a daunting task, especially for non-native speakers of English. This 6-week course is designed for non-native speakers of English who are at the beginning stages of writing a manuscript. The course will focus on the IMRaD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) + Abstract template for journal publication, and the understanding of how language and structure produce the necessary component parts. As the weeks pass, the writers will construct and develop manuscripts, section by section. Topics such as culture, the western writing process, revising and editing, and grammar conventions will be discussed. Weekly grammar, structure, and vocabulary will target clarity of writing for the reader. The writers will utilize peer writing groups, peer editing/review, and teacher workshops to explain and describe research, and receive feedback on writing. Ultimately, all writers will learn that language matters – the contiguity of words matters.
Course meets on Mondays & Fridays for 6 weeks, Monday, October 2, 2017 - Monday, November 13, 2017*
Mondays: 3:00-5:00pm | TMEC 106, 260 Longwood Ave.*
Fridays: 12:00-2:00pm | TMEC 128, 260 Longwood Ave. (except for final class, which meets on Monday, November 13, 2017, 3:00-5:00pm due to Veteran's Day holiday)
(*Monday, October 9 is a holiday, class will meet on Tuesday, October 10 and final class will meet on Monday, November 13 as November 10 is a holiday)
Course Instructor: Kathy L. Brenner, Writing Consultant, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Instructor at Friedman School of Nutrition/Tufts University;
APPLICATION CLOSED - THIS COURSE TOOK PLACE IN 2017Apply HERE by Monday, September 18, 2017 @ 12:00pm (EST)
Application Materials Include: Name, Email, Position, Department, as well as a brief statement of interest.
Statement of interest should not exceed 150 words.
Cost to attend: $20.00 (Refundable upon completion)
Eligibility: This program will be limited to 20 participants. You must be a quad-based, HMS/HSDM postdoc or faculty to apply. Please contact the Postdoc Office if you are uncertain of your eligibility.
Please note: Application completion does not guarantee your participation in the course. You will receive a notification email by Friday, September 22, 2017 @ 4:00pm.
Upon confirmation of your participation in the course, you will be required to pay the course fee before receiving the course materials. We will provide more details in the notification email.
Week 1
The Western Writing Process and IMRaD+Abstract
Overview: Introduction to the western writing process; cultural aspects of writing; pre-writing strategies; peer writing groups for editing, revising, reviewing; IMRaD+Abstract components; journal selection and guidelines
Learning objectives: To develop awareness of writing for journal publication in Western publications; to become familiar with the components of IMRaD and clearly understand what is required of the writer in each section; to realize the benefits and usefulness of peer writing groups; format; citing sources and plagiarism
In-class activities: Writing diagnostic; introductions; pre-writing strategy exercises; analysis of a literature model for grammar, structure, patterns, and vocabulary; review IMRaD+ Abstract handout; what are peer writing groups? peer writing group activity
Writing resources: IMRaD+Abstract components; pre-writing strategies; format; books and online references
Assignment: Write a one-paragraph biosketch (10-15 sentences); prepare “3MM”; start writing the Methods section
Week 2
The Methods
Overview: Analysis of the Methods section and required components; start looking at grammar conventions, rhetorical styles, and complex sentence structures
Learning objectives: To become familiar and more comfortable with required components; to better understand sentence structures and focus (topic, action, stress)
In-class activities: Start working in peer writing groups for review and feedback of first draft of Methods section; class discussion on complex sentence structures and sentence focus (topic, action, stress)
Writing points: Complex sentence structures; sentence focus (known to new)
Class 1
Assignment: Continue work on Methods section/first draft revisions
Class 2
Assignment: Continue work on Methods section/additional draft revisions
Week 3
The Results
Overview: Analysis of the Results section and required components
Learning objectives: To become familiar and more comfortable with required components; to better understand nominalization and strength of claim
In-class activities: Peer writing groups for review and feedback of first draft of Results section; class discussion on nominalization and strength of claim
Writing points: Nominalization; strength of claim
Class 1
Assignment: Continue work on Results section/first draft revisions
Class 2
Assignment: Continue work on Results section/additional draft revisions
Mid-Term course/teacher evaluation
Week 4
The Introduction
Overview: Analysis of the Introduction section and required components
Learning objectives: To become familiar and more comfortable with required components; to better understand lexical nuance, discourse markers, and verb tense/voice
In-class activities: Peer writing groups for review and feedback of first draft of Introduction section; class discussion on lexical nuance, discourse markers, verb tense/voice
Writing points: Lexical nuance; discourse markers; verb tense/voice
Class 1
Assignment: Continue work on Introduction section/first draft revisions
Class 2
Assignment: Continue work on Introduction section/additional draft revisions
Week 5
The Discussion
Overview: Analysis of the Discussion section and required components
Learning objectives: To become familiar and more comfortable with required components; to better understand parallel structure and “flipping” the sentence
In-class activities: Peer writing groups for review and feedback of first draft of the Discussion section; class discussion on parallel structure and “flipping” the sentence
Writing points: Parallel structure; “flipping” the sentence
Class 1
Assignment: Continue work on Discussion section/first draft revisions
Class 2
Assignment: Continue work on Discussion section/additional draft revisions
Week 6
The Abstract and Title
Overview: Analysis of the Abstract section and required components
Learning objectives: To become familiar and more comfortable with required components; to write the appropriate title; to better understand mechanics and other particulars for publication
In-class activities: Peer writing groups for review and feedback of first draft of the Abstract and title; class discussion on mechanics and other particulars for publication
Writing points: Mechanics and other particulars for publication
Class 1
Assignment: Continue work on Abstract section and title/first draft revisions
Class
Assignment: Complete draft of the manuscript; prepare for authorship team submission; final discussions on writing and resources; wrap up
Final course/teacher evaluation
