Writing Matters

Instructors: apl. Prof. Dr. Pierre Capel
Shortname: 08.128.6001
Course No.: 08.128.6001
Course Type: Vorlesung

Requirements / organisational issues

"Writing Matters" is the second part of the Soft-Skill course offered by the Fachbereich 08 to the students in Physics. The first part "SpeakYourScience", which focusses on the oral expression, takes place during the winter term.

This course is specifically tailored for MSc. and PhD students in scientific disciplines. It provides practical tools and strategies to help students understand the key elements of good scientific writing. The main focus of the course is on practice. Therefore a sufficient knowledge of the field is required (equivalent to at least 5th Semester BSc.) 

The evaluation of the class is based on the students’ homework and the final essay, which they’ll have to hand in at the end of the semester.

Anwesenheitspflicht

There is no compulsory attendance to the classes, but the students have to hand in regularly homework, for which information will be provided during the classes. Students not attending the class are responsible to get this information. The success of failure of the class is based on the evaluation of the homework and the students’ final essay.

Digital teaching

This course will be offered in presence, but all material will be made available under LMS.

Recommended reading list

All material will be made available under LMS.

Mastering Academic Writing in the Sciences: A Step-by-Step Guide - Marialuisa Aliotta - CRC Press 

Contents

The course covers the 5 steps of the writing process, from pre-writing to proofreading, and focuses on the structure and style of good academic writing. Topics covered include: purpose and structure of different sections (Introduction, Methodology, Data analysis and Results, Discussion and Conclusions, Abstract); use of language and grammar (parallel sentences, appropriate tenses, sentence coordination); supporting materials (figures and tables, bibliography, appendices). 

Additional information

During the one-hour lecture on Tuesday, we'll present the basics of academic writing. The two hours on Friday will be used for Q&A and practical writing exercises.

Dates

Date (Day of the week) Time Location
04/14/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
04/17/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
04/21/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
04/24/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
04/28/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
05/05/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
05/08/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
05/12/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
05/15/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
05/19/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
05/22/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
05/26/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
05/29/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
06/02/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
06/05/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
06/09/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
06/12/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
06/16/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
06/19/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
06/23/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
06/26/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
06/30/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
07/03/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
07/07/2026 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik
07/10/2026 (Friday) 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 2 der Kernphysik