How to Write a Research Paper: from blank page to complete draft (117)

24 and 25 March 2021

Dr Kaycie Butler

The ability to write effective research papers is one of the keys to a successful academic career, though it is often expected that academics will pick up the necessary skills in real time without any formal teaching – causing writing to be often stressful and inefficient. The goal of this workshop is to equip young researchers with the skills necessary to compose compelling research papers as well as provide key information to include and pitfalls to avoid. A good grasp of these basics of paper composition will help academics save time and energy when they sit down to write.

This workshop will teach the basics of composing a research-based paper, meaning those manuscripts that follow an IMRAD (introduction, materials, results and discussion) format and include experimental results. The workshop will cover how to write the introduction, results, discussion, conclusion, and abstract from a blank page and how to self-edit these sections. We will review in depth:

- the most efficient writing order for getting un-stuck when drafting;
- the basic details of each paper section;
- step-by-step formulas for composing each section;
- techniques for writing a paper with the reader in mind.

At the end of the workshop participants will be able to:

1. Effectively organize a research paper with a flow suitable to the study (outlining).
2. Compose first drafts of individual sections of a research paper.
3. Recognize patterns in the paper sections to provide self-feedback for editing.
4. Receive feedback on individual manuscript sections from both trainer and peers, if desired (with pre-drafted sections).

Participants will receive the biggest benefit from this workshop by bringing their own laptops such that they can participate in various exercises and receive immediate feedback.

This workshop will be useful for anyone with either minimal academic writing experience or previous stressful experiences, regardless of their completed years in academia. It is designed for writing research papers formatted with materials and methods and results sections, and is not recommended for those seeking to write papers of alternative formats.

ONLINE !

Date : Wednesday 24st and Thursday 25st March 2021

Schedule: From 9 am to 1 pm on both days

Location: Online

Trainer:

Dr Kaycie Butler is a writing consultant for EPFL and her independent company (www.butlerscicomm.com) – providing editing and manuscript consultation services to researchers across Europe and the US. In helping with hundreds of published manuscripts, she has developed simple, step-by-step tips and techniques that she teaches to busy researchers to enhance their writing, reduce their stress, and increase their impact. She has a Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA, USA and did her postdoc in chemical biology at EPFL.

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