| Module aim This module will provide participants with the opportunity to develop their writing processes through the practice of writing and through engagement in a writers’ group, including peer review. The module is presented by staff from the Writing Centre with occasional inputs from other University colleagues.
Prerequisites In order to participate in this module you must be engaged in writing a chapter of your PhD thesis. The module is not appropriate for PhD candidates who are honing their research question or who are at pre-thesis writing stage.
Attendance Attendance at each of the scheduled sessions is essential for successful completion of this module. Participants should note in advance the scheduled time commitment associated with the module and should not choose to participate if they believe that they cannot meet this time commitment.
Methods The module will be delivered primarily in a face-to-face setting. There will be some online elements but it is anticipated that these will not account for more than 30% of the module delivery. Interaction and group participation will be very important features of the module. Participants should be prepared to work collaboratively with each other and to contribute regularly in the face-to-face and online sessions.
Module objectives - To create a dedicated space and forum for the discussion of doctoral writing - To acknowledge that writing is a social act that it benefits from discussion and feedback from others - To stimulate prioritizing and goal setting for writing and to prompt the drafting of writing plans - To share information, skills, tactics and strategies towards successful and productive doctoral writing - To create an environment where participants write and review regularly - To encourage a habit of writing and enthuse participants to write - To build writers’ confidence and fluency - To model good practice in writing support and development.
Module content - Effective writing processes and writing strategies - Exploring writing projects with reference to audience, purpose, genre and stance - Phases in writing - pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing and polishing/publishing - Reviewing and peer reviewing – giving and receiving feedback - Planning writing projects – goal setting and project management - Participating in a writers’ group (face-to-face and online) - Journaling - Using technology as part of writing strategies and the writing process |