Transferable Skills Course: Scientific Writing

Please email gindrat@molgen.mpg.de to register for this course.

This workshop enables life scientists to communicate their research clearly and effectively.

Participants Learn How To:

• Apply five key principles of scientific writing.
• Write for their readers.
• Construct a memorable “take-home message”.
• Connect all parts of their paper in a flowing narrative.
• Overcome writers’ block.
• Structure their paper for increased impact.
• Use the writing process to inform their own research.
• Understand the role of “story telling” in scientific writing.

Our Teaching Approach:

• Encourages participants to see “the big picture” of their research.
• Uses discussions, exercises and homework to underscore key-points.
• Equips participants with writing tools rather than burdening them with writing rules.
• Includes editing of participants’ Abstracts and follow-up one-to-one consultation.
• Includes class discussions that facilitate an understanding of the writing process; encouraging interaction and the sharing of writing experiences.
• Creates an informal atmosphere that motivates students to enjoy writing

Program

Monday 25th March (9:30 – 17:30)

9:30 – 11:30

• Participant Introductions, Workshop Overview.
• Discussion Topic: Scientific Writing as Scientific Communication
• Exercise: Pitch your Paper

11:30 – 11:45 Break

11:45 – 13:00

• Choosing Words (part 1)

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch

14:00 –15:30

• Choosing Words (part 2)
• Structuring Sentences (part 1)

15:30 – 15:45 Break

15:45 – 17:30

• Structuring Sentences (part 2)
• Building Paragraphs

Tuesday 26th March (9:30 – 17:30)

9:30 – 11:30

• Arranging the Text
• The Structure of a Research Article
• Writing the Introduction (part 1)

11:30 – 11:45 Break

11:45 – 13:00

• Writing the Introduction (part 2)
• Framing your Research Article
• Writing the Materials & Methods section

13:00- 14:00 Lunch

14:00 –15:30

• Writing the Results section
• Writing the Discussion section (part 1)

15:30 – 15:45 Break

15:45 – 17:30

• Writing the Discussion section (part 2)
• Writing the Abstract & Title
• Extended Writing Exercises: Framing your Research & Title Writing
• Workshop Conclusion

Before signing up for this workshop, please make sure that you can attend all the dates and write them in your calendar. If you do not show up or cancel at very short notice, other interested students will not be able to participate.