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Contact information

Textkorrektur und Sprachberatung Deutsch

Stephanie Renger


Academic Writing Support in English

S. Mukherjee


Coordinator

​Dr. David Jara

Telephone Icon 17x17 +49 (0)6221 / 54 - 19767
 
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Writing support services for doctoral candidates in German and English

General information
Consultation process
Workshop series "Academic writing in English"
Focused Writing Group Program
Office hours
Our trainers

General information

For many doctoral candidates, working with a long, research-based text is the most challenging aspect of a doctoral degree process. To support them effectively and promote their future success, the Graduate Academy offers a range of writing-related services on an individual (i.e. one to one) or group (i.e. workshops and/or upcoming writing groups) for those writing in English or German.

The purpose of both offers is to improve the writing and language competencies of doctoral candidates during different stages of their doctoral training. For an individual consultation, doctoral candidates may submit their own text passages, which are then revised and commented on by experienced German or English native speakers / scholars. Candidates then may attend a follow-up meeting, where the writing consultant would be willing to discuss the candidate’s errors and provide suggestions for improvement.

The feedback provided by the writing consultants is limited to linguistic issues only, i.e.

  • grammar,
  • spelling,
  • punctuation,
  • and conventions of the respective language.

The consultation aims to identify typical errors which can be avoided in the later stages of writing.

The following aspects of the text will not be discussed:

  • content
  • structure
  • empirical rigor

Please be aware that the completed text passages (be they dissertation chapters or articles) should not be seen as final corrections.

 

Consultation process

If you are interested in using one of the services, please contact our language advisors:

When contacting one of our language advisors, please provide him/her with:

  • The topic of your dissertation
  • Your subject of study, supervisor, and department
  • Progress/stage of your dissertation
  • Your native language and nationality

We will then arrange a preliminary talk with you. Please bring a digital copy of your text (MS Word compatible format) to the meeting.

During this meeting we will:

  • clarify your specific needs,
  • discuss technical terminology or any other concerns that you have,
  • define a time-frame for the feedback.

 

Please note:

  • The submitted text passage/s may not exceed 10 pages or 3.000 words.
  • Only two different passages from a single text (i.e. up to two sections from a dissertation) may be submitted.
  • Your text will be archived at the end of the semester and will be deleted from the Graduate Academy’s server after one year.

 

Workshop series "Academic writing in English for doctoral candidates"

From March 2023, the English writing program within the Graduate Academy will offer 3 different types of workshops at the Graduate Academy.

For a detailed description and registration steps, see below:

Workshops

  • The art and craft of English Academic Writing

    Description:

    Mastering the craft of writing is a core aspect of developing as doctoral students. This workshop provides a comprehensive view (and review) of helpful norms, rules and skills to help doctoral students improve their writing while gaining confidence in their capacity to exercise a foundation skill. As ‘expert writers,’ participants will be encouraged not just to write but also to align with readers’ expectations, and to avoid pretentious prose. Selected issues of grammar, vocabulary, and text structure are discussed in service of these topics.

    Objectives:

    • Identify and fix problems in your own long-form texts with respect to paragraph writing, coherence and unity;
    • Make your writing more impactful and valuable;
    • Address problems relating to grammar and (academic) vocabulary;
    • Effectively proofread your own texts and incorporate feedback from your peers, teacher and doctoral advisor into your own text.

  • Improving Academic Vocabulary, Sentence Style, and Flow

    Description:

    Do you feel stuck with your writing? Are you experiencing writer’s block? Do you feel that you are continuously using the same vocabulary and overly convoluted sentences? Does it seem like everyone else can write in a precise, rigorous, and direct manner except for you? The aim of this workshop is to give you practical tools to help you gain confidence and control in order to write in a clear, concise, focused, structured, and substantiated manner.  

    Objectives:

    • Get you “unstuck” and to help you develop a writing “flow”
    • Fine-tune texts with respect to logic, concision, and unity
    • Make your writing more impactful and valuable
    • Address problems relating to grammar
    • Enhance your academic vocabulary

  • Presenting Scientific Findings and Research Results

    Description:

    Feeling anxious about an upcoming international conference? Is public speaking one of your greatest fears? Unsure how you will sound in front of an audience of experts? The aim of this workshop is to help you plan and deliver an effective academic presentation in English. The workshop will be divided into two parts: Part 1: the nuts and bolts of an effective academic; Part 2: interactive and practice session with attention to both rhetorical devices and non-verbal communication strategies. The workshop’s ultimate goal is to help you gain a sense of comfort and confidence while presenting your research in public. Participants are encouraged to bring a sample presentation of their own for practice.

    Objectives:

    • Identify and review rhetorical and oral presentation strategies
    • Develop confidence and poise for the effective delivery
    • Help you develop your own presentation style

 

Focused Writing Group Program for Doctoral Candidates

Registration for the second round (March to June) is now open.

When and Where? Meetings will take place on Wednesdays every two weeks from 9:30–12:30 at the Käthe Leichter Forum (INF 370).

The focused writing group in English will begin on March 27th. Register here

The focused writing group in German will begin on March 20th. Register here

What are the Graduate Academy focused writing groups?

A focused writing group is a community of 6-8 doctoral candidates who meet on a regular basis to work towards composing an academic text. Participants work on their own projects but do so within a peer-based environment and with the support of a team of tutors. The latter will assist each group over the course of three months with meetings taking place every two weeks. An individual as well as a group working space with power connections, wireless access, and basic office supplies will be made available for participants during each of the three-hour sessions.

What is in it for you?

  • Obtain structured support
    • produce ongoing writing towards specific goals and deadlines
  • Write in a peer-based setting
    • share and discuss work in-progress
    • develop a “community” of academic writers in the interest of support, collegiality, and solidarity
  • Receive specialised tutoring / guidance
    • learn to apply strategies and focused exercises on selected topics related to academic writing

Who can participate?

The focused writing groups are open to PhD candidates from all faculties regardless of the stage of their research. However, the Graduate Academy’s writing support team will facilitate the formation of specific groups based on common goals, interests, and similar levels of advancement.

 

Office hours

NEW!! Open office hours

We are again offering individual writing support services at the Graduate Academy during our bi-weekly “open office” hours.  As with our writing workshops, the service is free to use for all registered doctoral candidates of Heidelberg University (as well as Medicine students at the University of Mannheim).

Please register in advance for a session of ca. 30 minutes via email (ga-writing@uni-heidelberg.de). In order to make optimal use of this service, please contact S. Mukherjee at ga-writing@uni-heidelberg.de, in advance with a list of themes which you would like to discuss. Alternatively you may also submit your own text passages as described in the general information section below.

For further questions, please contact S. Mukherjee at ga-writing@uni-heidelberg.de.

 

Our trainers

Writing consultations are currently offered by the following native speakers:

German:

Laura Herges

Laura Herges, experienced in journalism and science communication, brings comprehensive prowess in conveying complex concepts. Holding degrees in Romance and English Studies, she possesses expertise in language and literature. Her passion for both academia and writing motivates her to support doctoral candidates in their writing processes as a writing coach.

English:

S. Mukherjee

S. Mukherjee is a former Alexander von Humboldt Fellow with +10 years of experience in mentoring advanced students in the ‘art and craft’ of academic writing. Mukherjee holds degrees from Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania, where he conducted his doctoral work in political economy. He is the recipient of the Penn Lauder CIBER Research Grant, U.S. Department of Education’s Center for International Education and Research, the Judith Rodin Fellowship for distinguished work in the social sciences, and Penn’s School of Arts and Sciences Award for Distinguished Teaching.

 

Web Administrator: Eric Herbst
Latest Revision: 2024-03-06
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