While PhD candidates become subject experts during their candidature, many lack expertise and confidence in their academic writing. This is problematic since the outcome of their research will be examined through their written thesis. This workshop has been designed in response to requests from PhD candidates at VUW who are struggling with various aspects of thesis writing. The presenter will introduce academic writing strategies which address questions such as:

How can I organise a lengthy academic text (proposal, journal article, thesis) effectively?

How and why should I make the argument of my thesis salient?

How can I develop and use academic vocabulary accurately and effectively?

How can I make my academic writing more lively?

Participants are encouraged to bring a hard copy of a (draft) thesis chapter or journal article they have written so they can apply the strategies to their own writing during the workshop.

Dr Sara Cotterall is the Doctoral Development Coordinator in Victoria University of Wellington's Faculty of Graduate Research. Sara has been teaching academic writing for more than 30 years at universities in New Zealand and abroad. She has also conducted and published research in doctoral writing and worked with PhD candidates in Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.

Venue

Murphy 632