Writing Retreat

PrerequisitesNew

If one of the few criteria for the Cambridge PhD is ‘clearly written’, yet as Bourdieu said ‘academic writing is … no one’s mother tongue’, how do we solve this puzzle and write clearly? The overall aim of this intensive, interactive and practical two-day course is to help you get better at writing academically – whether on your dissertation or a journal article – in other words, writing more clearly. With this aim in mind, Day 1 focusses on Writing; Day 2 on Editing.

Day 1 will explore two fundamental principles of writing English clearly: ‘old before new’ and ‘simplicity first, complexity last’, and will look at these principles at ‘different levels’ of writing from the level of the sentence through to the level of the paragraph and larger work. In the process the course will look at the ‘rhetorical templates’ of introductions, conclusions abstracts and articles.

Day 2 will explore these two principles through the process of editing, and will cover common qualities of academic writing, including using the passive voice, nominalisations and ‘hedging’ appropriately.

To make Writing Retreat even more effective, please bring samples of your own writing that you can work on during the retreat. Writing sample should be a work in progress and not a polished final draft.

Please note, if your booking is successful and you gain a confirmed place you will be expected to attend the whole two days. If you fail to attend or do not stay for the duration of the course you will be charged for your place on this course.

IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL IN SECURING THE PLACE YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL DURING THE WEEK COMMENCING 28th MAY 2018.

All PhD Students
Further details regarding eligibility criteria are here

Please bring samples of your own writing that you can work on during the Writing Retreat. Writing sample should be a work in progress and not a polished final draft.

Please note, if your booking is successful and you gain a confirmed place you will be expected to attend the whole two days. If you fail to attend or do not stay for the duration of the course you will be charged for your place on this course.

Presentations and practicals

Two full day sessions

Annual