PGT Newsletter – July 2017

The Institute for Academic Development PGT Newsletter (July 2017) is now live. You can download it from  http://edin.ac/16wZUnc

The newsletter provides further information about:

• All workshops available in July 2017
• Events and courses information
• Resources
• EUSA event: Wrapping up your masters
  dissertation?
• Dissertation Writing Resources
• Academic career stories at University of Edinburgh
• Masters Blog and Twitter
• IAD Cancellation Policy

Resources

• Institute for Academic Development  – Postgraduate pages

Workshop – Revisiting Your Structure – 6 July 2017

(PGT) Revisiting Your Structure

• Thursday 6th July 2017 @ 10:00-12:30

This workshop is open to all postgraduate taught (PGT) students.

A dissertation is a significant piece of academic writing and the defining feature of a Master’s degree, so it is worth taking time to consider your structure.

This interactive session will help you step back from the detail of your writing and take an overview of your dissertation. It will suggest practical ways you can isolate the main themes of your work and develop a convincing order to present your ideas. We will also discuss the purpose of key sections of academic dissertations.

You will have the opportunity to self-review your dissertation outline, but the tutor will be unable to give subject-specific advice.

To find out more and to book a place, please click on the following link:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/taught/courses-events/open-workshops

Workshop – Proof Reading – 26 June 2017

(PGT) Proof Reading

• Monday 26th June 2017 @ 09:30-12:30

With that last full stop, the writing task is done. Or is

it? This course looks at the many stages of copy-editing and proof-reading that must be done before the dissertation is submitted or the academic paper published. We look at some myths about writing, identify common errors and offer a range of techniques for spotting them. Proof correction marks are introduced and put into practice in a peer feedback session.

To find out more and to book a place, please click on the following link:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/taught/courses-events/open-workshops

Workshop – Practical Proofreading and Editing – 14 June 2017

(PGT) Practical Proofreading and Editing

• Wednesday 14th June 2017 @ 19:00 – 12:30

This workshop is open to all postgraduate taught (PGT) students. 

A dissertation is a significant piece of academic writing and a major investment of time and effort. It is also the defining feature of a Master’s degree, so it is worth presenting it well.

This interactive session will introduce strategies to help you incorporate revising into your personal writing process.  It will highlight tricky things which tend to catch students out, suggest useful tools and offer tips to help you submit your best work.

To find out more and to book a place, please click on the following link:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/taught/courses-events/open-workshops

Workshop – Revisiting Your Structure – 31st May 2017

(PGT) Revisiting Your Structure

• Wednesday 31st May @ 10:00 – 12:30

This workshop is open to all postgraduate taught (PGT) students.

A dissertation is a significant piece of academic writing and the defining feature of a Master’s degree, so it is worth taking time to consider your structure.

This interactive session will help you step back from the detail of your writing and take an overview of your dissertation.  It will suggest practical ways you can isolate the main themes of your work and develop a convincing order to present your ideas.  We will also discuss the purpose of key sections of academic dissertations.

You will have the opportunity to self-review your dissertation outline, but the tutor will be unable to give subject-specific advice.

Pre-course work Participants are asked to bring a one-page outline of their own dissertation.

To find out more and to book a place, please click on the following link:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/taught/courses-events/open-workshops

Workshop – Is My Writing Academic Enough? – 26th May 2017

(PGT) Is My Writing Academic Enough?

• Friday 26th May 2017 @ 09:30 – 12:30

Does academic writing have to be dull or obscure, or can it be engaging and direct? This workshop explores the standards and expectations associated with academic writing. We will look at relevant linguistic and stylistic choices (active or passive? first or third person? plain English or jargon?) and consider academic conventions in terms of organisation and writing style. This is very much a ‘hands-on’ workshop with plenty of room for discussion.

Pre-Course Work:
Please bring a short piece of (your own) academic writing to this workshop.

To find out more and to book a place, please click on the following link:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/taught/courses-events/open-workshops

Workshop – Writing Bootcamp for Taught Postgraduate Students – 22nd and 27th June 2017

(PGT) Writing Bootcamp for Taught Postgraduate Students

• Thursday 22nd June and Tuesday 27th June @ 09:00-17:00
• Please note: You can only book onto Day 1 of the Writing Bootcamp (22/6/17). Once you have confirmed your place, we will book you onto Day 2 of the Writing Bootcamp by the 15^th June 2017.

Are you a taught postgraduate student working on your dissertation? Or trying to write a publication?  Would you like an opportunity to be able to learn some writing techniques, and have space to practise them?

The Writing Bootcamp will give you a time and place for you to write without the distractions of emails, Facebook, Twitter and everyday life. There will be over 8 hours of writing time across the two days of the Writing Bootcamp. Each day will be split into half-day sessions and begin with a short Bitesize workshop, discussing tips and techniques. These will be followed by writing blocks where you will be writing based on your preparation. There will also be time between day 1 and day 2 to work your writing project. Participants will be sent the schedule and preparation instructions in advance of the Writing Bootcamp.

 

Between writing blocks there will be short breaks and refreshments available. There will be an hour break for lunch, but please note that lunch will not be provided (there are several cafes and shops nearby, or feel free to bring your own).

Thinking of coming along? Here is what you need to know.

• There will be over 8 hours of writing, split into 10 blocks over the two days.

• You will get most out of the time by doing the preparatory work, following the instructions in the “Information for Participants”.
• If you wish to write using a laptop, please bring your own with you. There will be plenty of power sockets.

By the end of the Writing Bootcamp we will have discussed and practised some writing strategies, considered the key aspects of the writing process (including proof-reading and editing), and have a personalised writing plan to take your writing forward, and, most importantly, done some writing!

Places are limited please only book a place if you are able to attend both days, 22^nd and 27^th June, in full.

To find out more and to book a place, please click on the following link:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/taught/courses-events/open-workshops

Workshop – Critical! (Reading, Writing, Thinking) – 24th May 2017

(PGT) Critical (Reading,Writing,Thinking)

• Wednesday 24th May 2017 @ 09:30-12:30

‘Critical’ is a word that is frequently used in academic discourse. Students are advised to think, read and write ‘critically’. But what does ‘critical’ actually mean in an

academic context? In this workshop we identify qualities that are core to a critical engagement with academic work, and we explore through examples how you can apply critical values to your reading, writing and academic practice.

You will be required to bring along a printed copy of a short academic article that is relevant to your research interests.

To find out more and to book a place, please click on the following link:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/taught/courses-events/open-workshops

Workshop – The Writing Process: Getting Started – 17 May 2017

(PGT) The Writing Process: Getting Started

• Wednesday 17th May 2017 @ 09:30-12:30

For many students, starting to write is one of the most challenging aspects of doing a dissertation. How do you know whether you are ready to write? How do you overcome the sense of paralysis or overwhelm that often accompanies the early stages of the writing process? This workshop provides tools and tips for how to get started; for generating, focusing, targeting and structuring material; and for developing a first draft. All of these will be put into practice through the development of a short text.

 

To find out more and to book a place, please click on the following link:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/taught/courses-events/open-workshops

Workshop – Writing a Literature Review – 27 April 2017

(PGT) Writing a Literature Review

• Thursday 27th April 2017 @ 09:30-12:30

The literature review is a key component of a dissertation, because it motivates and contextualises key research issue.

Developing a review is a complex task which involves selecting, organising and evaluating source material; reading actively while taking effective notes; and shaping relevant information into a coherent piece of writing.

This workshop offers practical ways of making this process manageable and beginning to develop a review.

To find out more and to book a place, please click on the following link:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/taught/courses-events/open-workshops