1

Course introduction and schedule.

A brief history of scientific communication through writing and presentation.

Introduction to IMRAD and core principles of logic, conciseness, clarity.

Cargill & O’Connor, Chap. 2

*Homework exercise (1) Review of basic English grammar

2

Scientific writing basics (1):

Paragraph structure

(1)Boxman & Boxman, Chap.10, pp 193-195

(2) Heard, Chap. 17

*Homework writing exercise (2)

3

Scientific writing basics (2):

Sentence structure

(1)Turabian Chap.11

(2) Matthews & Matthews, Chap. 11

(3)Boxman & Boxman, Chap.10, pp 195-229; 230-232; 238-241

*Homework writing exercise (3)

4

Scientific writing basics (3):

Word choice

(1) Matthews & Matthews, Chap. 12

(2)Boxman & Boxman, Chap.10, pp 193-195; 232-252

*Homework writing exercise 4

5

Scientific writing for journal articles (1):

Introduction - Major components; typical sentence structures and signal words; verb tenses; referencing styles.

Mogull, Chap. 5

*Homework writing exercise 5.

6

Scientific writing for journal articles (2):

Methods - Organization; headings and subheadings; standard reporting guidelines; issues in writing reproducible procedures; verb tenses and voice.

Day & Gastel, Chap. 11

*Homework writing exercise 6.

7

Scientific writing for journal articles (3):

Results - Variations in science and medical journals; paragraph development: text summaries of key findings in tables and figures

Mogull, Chap. 11

*Homework writing exercise 7.

8

Scientific writing for journal articles (4):

Discussion and conclusion (a) Major structural components;

(b) Paragraph development: Structuring a claim with supporting evidence; verb tenses modifying strength of claims

Cargill & O’Connor, Chap 9

*Homework writing exercise 8.

9

Academic presentation (1):

Steps for preparing an engaging and balanced scientific talk

Foster, Chap. 11.

10

Academic presentation (2): Creating visually effective PowerPoint slides

Foster, Chap. 11.

11

Academic presentation (3):

Presentation workshop - Analysis of an article’s structure and language to identify key points for presentation and slides

Foster, Chap 11

12

Student academic presentations (1) (1 hour)

Strategies for manuscript preparation (1):

Steps to take when starting your manuscript

Boxman & Boxman, Chapter 10, pp 185-192

Benson & Silver, Chapter 8, Appen. 1-4.

13

Student academic presentations (2) (1 hour)

Strategies for manuscript preparation (2): Steps to take when editing and completing your manuscript

Heard, Chaps; 21&22. Matthews & Matthews, Chapter 10;

Boxman & Boxman, Chapter 10, pp 254-260

*Homework writing exercise 9.

14

Student academic presentations (3) (1 hour)

Strategies for manuscript preparation (3):Ethical issues - plagiarism and copyright; correct paraphrasing and citation

Roig pp 1-48 (“Guidelines” in red); pp.49-62

*Homework writing exercise 10:

University of Indiana plagiarism tutorial (This web-based tutorial can be taken at any time during the course. A certificate of completion must be downloaded and submitted to the instructor.)

15

Student academic presentations (4) (1 hour)

Strategies for manuscript preparation (4): Next steps - Refining your communication skills through reading. How to assemble a corpus for identifying generic sentence templates and typical word collocations in a field of medicine

Cargill & O’Connor, Chap. 17.