Did you know that 40% of language production in English is formulaic, that is, made up of common expressions? However, producing effective writing in English can be challenging for many non-native writers of English. The good news is, these formulaic expressions can be learned. This workshop is designed for those who speak English as an […]
One of the major challenges that academic writers encounter is making connections within the text, for example, making comparisons and drawing conclusions. Rather than counting on readers to figure out the meaning of a difficult text, academic writing requires writers to make clear connections between ideas. In this workshop, we introduce a variety of academic […]
Literature reviews accomplish several purposes for scholars. In the introduction to a research article, research paper, or thesis chapter, for example, writers review relevant research in order to establish a research gap, problem, or need that the current study addresses. But how do writers summarize the scholarly conversation already underway and, then, join that conversation? […]
Writing at the graduate level involves participating in ongoing debates and conversations in your field, especially through literature reviews and proposals. Engaging in this conversation requires aligning with certain perspectives while distancing yourself from others, and emphasizing certain interpretations while allowing for other perspectives. Managing this delicate balance of presenting your work objectively, cautiously and […]
Research shows that academic writers of research article Introductions typically establish a research space by pointing out a research gap that the current study addresses. The Introduction offers an opportunity for writers to begin to tell the research story by articulating the gap and, then, taking their own conversational turn. But how do writers persuade […]
This workshop aims to help writers in STEM research to improve their writing by supplementing their intuitions about what “sounds about right” with data-based methods for interrogating the language choices in a STEM sub-discipline and across sub-disciplines. By analyzing the language of published writing, attendees are able to make better-informed choices about the use of, […]
Writing in the STEM disciplines can be an especially challenging task for multilingual writers who speak English as an additional language, as it requires a high level of language proficiency to effectively use the English language with the appropriate level of accuracy, precision, and conciseness. Research shows that common academic expressions can greatly improve writing […]
Writing an effective Introduction is not an easy task, especially for multilingual writers who speak English as an additional language. As a complement to the workshop “Research Article Introductions: Mind the Gap,” this workshop introduces participants to common academic expressions characteristic of Introductions (e.g., background context, literature review, knowledge gap). Participants will walk away with […]
Abstracts play a vital role in the communication of research. Studies show that abstracts are the most frequently read part of a research article, and that abstracts help researchers determine whether or not to read the entire study. But how do writers communicate the relevance and legitimacy of their research to members of the discipline? […]
Writing at the graduate level involves bringing findings into conversation with explanatory and methodological frameworks, and theoretical ideas and concepts. Presenting your specific study requires waves of meaning-making, articulating how your findings can be explained or how ideas are exemplified or illustrated by your evidence. When immersed in your own analysis, it is too easy […]
Writing in STEM is never entirely original. Communications in STEM research typically comprise a foundation of established ideas and practices and a measure of fresh contributions. Exclusive attention to foundations produces a textbook, which is not research per se. At the other extreme, new ideas without reference to a base are typically only for private […]
The research article is the most privileged form of publication in which academics present their intellectual contributions. As such, conclusions offer writers several final opportunities to engage with readers in this high-stakes writing situation. With conclusions in mind, the facilitator explores some of the organizational patterns of research articles written in English, while accounting for […]
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