“I am now more motivated to write”

GRK2162: Neurodevelopment and Vulnerability of the Central Nervous System, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, May 2019

“The friendly open atmosphere on this course promoted participation and learning”

IZKF, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen, August 2019

“I learned how to write faster with a better structure”

GRK2162: Neurodevelopment and Vulnerability of the Central Nervous System, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, May 2019

“The language tips were really useful”

GRK2162: Neurodevelopment and Vulnerability of the Central Nervous System, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, May 2019

“It was really helpful to get a clear sense of ‘what has to be covered’ in each section”

GRK2162: Neurodevelopment and Vulnerability of the Central Nervous System, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, May 2019

“It was good to get some techniques for how to get started and how to keep writing”

GRK2162: Neurodevelopment and Vulnerability of the Central Nervous System, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, May 2019

“I’ve always found writing the discussion section difficult, but now it’s clearer for me”

GRK2162: Neurodevelopment and Vulnerability of the Central Nervous System, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, May 2019

“This workshop was amazing and so helpful”

GRK2162: Neurodevelopment and Vulnerability of the Central Nervous System, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, May 2019

“The workshop really gave me motivation to work on the thesis, which was something I felt very negative about before”

GRK2162: Neurodevelopment and Vulnerability of the Central Nervous System, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, May 2019

Training:
Kick-starting
your PhD Thesis

For many PhD students, writing the PhD thesis can seem like an enormous mountain to climb. With little or no guidance, it is all too easy to lose yourself in searches for sources, stray away from the overall message of the thesis and feel frustrated with writing progress. This workshop provides a roadmap to help participants through this process, helping them to use their time more efficiently.

Overview
This workshop helps participants create a clear, detailed structure for their thesis, providing them with a roadmap to help them continue their writing after the workshop. Participants receive tips on how to create an effective structure and learn strategies for improving writing productivity. They also discover key elements that must be included in each section and are given practical tasks centred around crafting key subsections of their thesis.
Target group
Post-graduate students that are either in the process of writing, or about to write, their PhD thesis. Training can be provided for both individuals and small groups (max. 6) from a post-graduate programme, research group or university department. It is recommended that participants share similar disciplinary backgrounds.
Course content

A typical example of course content is shown below.

  • Differences between a thesis and a research article
  • Techniques for productive writing
  • Creating a clear structure
  • Key elements of each section
  • Crafting crucial subsections
Method
Instructional sessions focus on the key ideas behind coherent and cohesive writing, with practical sessions providing participants with many opportunities to apply the new ideas to their own work. The small group size fosters discussion between participants, prompting peer feedback and new perspectives.
Course Format/Duration
This workshop consists of ten 90-minute units that are delivered during two 90-minute sessions per day over four days (e.g. Monday to Thursday 09:00-12:15). Friday is devoted to 30-minute individual feedback sessions with the workshop facilitator.
Course fees
€1900 + expenses (travel, accommodation, printing of handouts)
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