Doctoral Academic Writing Course
The complex demands of writing an academic paper are never formally taught to doctoral students, resulting in:
poorly turned out manuscripts and
frustrated professional ambitions further down the line.
This writing program introduces doctoral students to the publication ecosystem of academic writing. It familiarises them with the highest standards of academic writing, presenting clear writing models to achieve clarity, precision, and a logical flow suited for top-tier business journals.
PhD students will learn, among other things, how to:
Create an argument and a rational structure for academic writing
Engage in storytelling and positioning
Write a good Abstract, Introduction, Lit Rev and Discussion
Frame an effective research question
Read and analyse an academic paper
Be a good co-author and reviewer
Manage a research pipeline etc.
Unique Features
Comprehensive academic writing course (storytelling, structure, paragraph writing, coherence, specific paper sections etc.)
Professionalisation of doctoral students (introduction to co-authoring, reviewing, managing a research pipeline, writing practices etc.)
Analysis of published papers and actual drafts
Learning from well-established tools and frameworks for academic writing
Writing feedback from facilitator and peers
Emphasis on structured writing practice
Two assignments, half term and summative, with clear grading rubrics
What People Are Saying
“Excellent clarity, foundational concepts that truly make a difference were shared in a very easy to follow and understandable manner. Thank you so much, dear Tanvi – this was a game changing info that early career researchers as well as more advanced academics benefit from receiving.”
— Dana Malcova, PhD Student, Prague University of Economics and Business
“The workshop was a great learning experience but also a lot of fun. You did an enviable job of managing such a large class efficiently while still covering all of what you had envisioned for the course.”
“I was looking forward to every session which became a space of learning and thinking about the complexities of academic world and writing in it. Starting out with the big picture (story and its nuances) reminded me that writing is not about word counts but about the narrative arches. Which is a very good reminder for the phase of my PhD I am currently in.”
— Ivana Rybanska, PhD Student, Prague University of Economics and Business
“I really enjoyed the course. I can already say I am deliberately not just practicing writing every day but also the structures, metadiscourse, and authorial voice.”
“I enjoyed the entire process of learning. The material and references given are extremely useful, and I am already using them as a reference while writing my paper drafts.”
— Shreya Singireddy, Research Associate, ISB
“The workshop was well-organized and thoughtfully designed. I'm in the first year of my PhD. The discussions in class helped me understand the different problems writers face and helped me prepare for them. Thank you for your constructive feedback on my writing.”
“Excellent workshop! Good learning for me; clarified my thoughts and writing. A good teacher, a nice group, good pace in teaching and tasks and breaks (one was not exhausted after the day or after the course).”
“The rich content that was made available on various aspects of academic writing helped me create an index system that I can access at any time in my future journey. This course was like a story on a trip down a river. Good stories are a brisk journey, and the reader can always feel the breeze in his hair. That is what I felt. It was a top-notch workshop.”
“The atmosphere you created enabled us to openly share the issues we are struggling with. It was a pleasure participating in your workshops. They are so rich in useful tips and insights!”
— Judith Schmitt, PhD student, Prague University of Economics and Business
FAQs
Is the teaching format flexible?
Yes! The course should ideally be taught in a weekly 2-hour program across a semester, but can be adjusted to fit your department’s needs and budgets. For example, we can add or subtract hours, and deliver it over a shorter or longer period, as needed.
Can you teach remotely / in-person / hybrid?
Yes! I have delivered this course fully in-person, only on Zoom, and in a mixed format of in-person and Zoom. I have also taught in a physically hybrid classroom, with some students joining remotely in a classroom technologically fitted out for this to occur.
How many students per course?
Historically, writing courses are delivered in small formats to ensure the teacher’s attention. I recommend having between 10 and 20 students, which provides an adequate variety of opinions and writing styles while still cultivating an environment of trust and ease for people to share their writing.
Can students audit your class?
Yes. The course has two assignments - one at the mid-semester mark and one at the end. They are very practical and focus on making the students write and reflect on their writing. If the university prefers no assignments, we can structure the course as such.
Can first-year PhD students attend?
I would not recommend this course for first-year PhD students as they are not yet in the throes of writing and do not fully appreciate the problems one can face. Writing is a craft and without practice, the content remains largely theoretical. The course is ideal for students in year 2 onwards.
What are your fees?
To discuss fees, please contact me with your requirements.