The purpose of this course is to help you to produce more effective argumentative writing within your science discipline. Key aims of the course are:
To develop familiarity with common features of scientific arguments through the analysis of examples
To consider the reasons underpinning these features of scientific writing
To provide opportunities for controlled practice in producing these features of scientific argumentative writing
Syllabus
Week 1 – Anatomy of a Scientific Argument
Week 2 – Stance Part 1 - Expressing Caution
Week 3 – Stance Part 2 - Boosters and Self-Mentions
Week 4 – Confounds and Alternative Explanations
Week 5 – Organisation: Coherence and Cohesion
Week 6 – Referring to Literature
Please note that while all students are welcome to attend, this course focuses on developing and communicating academic arguments within the natural and applied sciences, not the social sciences.