Academic Writing for Junior Researchers
Science, Engineering and Technology
INGE VAN DURME
inge.vandurme@ilt.kuleuven.be
COURSE INFORMATION
SEPTEMBER 2015 CRASH COURSE
1
Times and venue
Classes will take place at ILT, Dekenstraat 6, in Room 01.135. All sessions are scheduled on five
days only, with four days of 2 two-hour sessions (10-12 am and 2-4 pm).
Please check the class schedule below for exact dates and times.
2
Course fee
The course is funded by the University, so no fees are due. Should you wish to cancel or
postpone your registration, please do so before the start of the course, so the place can still be
offered to someone on the waiting list.
3
Resources
Classes will consist of a mixture of direct instruction, text editing and language practice
activities. The following course book will be used:
Kristin BLANPAIN, Academic Writing. A Resource for Researchers, Acco, 2012.
(ISBN: 9789033488566 / Price : 32 Euro)
You will be able to buy the book in the first session. Please bring the exact amount of cash.
4
Course requirements
In order to receive a certificate for this course, you will be expected to

attend at least 8 sessions: participants who miss more than 1 class will not be given a
certificate;

hand in a number of writing assignments based on your own current work; you will have to
submit (1) an abstract or introduction and (2) a methods section or discussion of a paper in
progress;

participate actively, for instance by reviewing your colleagues’ texts during the peer review
sessions.
1
5
Class schedule (September -October 2015)
08 SEPT
(10-12 AM)
CLASS 1
Introduction
Biographical notes
Grammar: Tenses / Adverb position
08 SEPT
(2-4 PM)
CLASS 2
Expanding academic vocabulary
Grammar: Relative clauses
10 SEPT
(10-12 AM)
CLASS 3
Research proposal
Improving coherence and cohesion
Grammar: Parallel constructions
10 SEPT
(2-4 PM)
CLASS 4
Improving clarity and conciseness
Abstract
Grammar: Participle clauses / Dangling modifiers
Peer review 1
14 SEPT
(10-12 AM)
CLASS 5
Articles: Introduction
Grammar: Punctuation
Peer review 2
14 SEPT
(2-4 PM)
CLASS 6
Articles: Literature review
Grammar: Tense use in literature reviews
Peer review 3
17 SEPT
(10-12 AM )
CLASS 7
Articles: Methods / Results
Grammar: Passive voice
Peer review 4
17 SEPT
(2-4 PM)
CLASS 8
Managing tone
Discussion sections
Grammar: Modal verbs
Peer review 5
1 OCT
(10-12 PM)
CLASS 9
Email writing
Grammar test
Peer review 6
2