Module Title: Intensive Writing Workshop (5 ECTS)

Module Description:

Thesis Boot Camp (TBC) is an intensive writing programme for doctoral researchers. The programme runs over three days provides for 24 hours of structured writing time, including the opportunity to learn writing strategies, avail of individual support and share experiences with other doctoral researchers. The key learning of the programme is to let go of the perfectionism of writing the perfect sentence and learn how to get ideas down on the page as first draft material that can then be revised and edited.

Intended outcomes for participants are:

(i)                  production of a significant quantity of written material;

(ii)                the experience of writing fast and fluently;

(iii)               new writing strategies to apply in completing their thesis;

(iv)              increased confidence in writing.

 All students must email the module owner at rachel.hilliard@nuigalway.ie in advance of participating/registering for this workshop 

For students in years 1 to 3: you should register for this module if you want to earn credit towards the taught element of the structured PhD. 

PhD students may also participate in the Intensive Writing Workshop.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:

LO1

apply effective writing strategies

LO2

develop thesis and chapter writing plans

LO3

identify supports to facilitate timely thesis completion

LO4

produce generative first draft writing fluently

 Indicative Content:

  • Writing planning – chapter and thesis road maps
  • Introduction to effective writing strategies
  • Building confidence to complete
  • The practice of generative writing
  • Thesis completion strategies

 Teaching period Semester 1 and Semester 2

Indicative content Intensive Writing Workshop

Writing planning – chapter and thesis road maps

Introduction to effective writing strategies

Building confidence to complete,

The practice of generative writing

Thesis completion strategies

Continuous Assessment

CA1: Report on pre-planning work, clarifying central research questions, thesis roadmap and chapter road map. (LO2) (50%)

CA2: Post workshop reflection: report on work achieved; reflection on experience of new writing approaches; presentation of completion strategy. (LO1, LO3, LO4) (50%)

 Workload:

24 hours               pre-workshop preparation: clarifying thesis status with supervisor (independent learning)

16 hours               writing pre-workshop report (independent learning)

24 hours               workshop (lecturer-supervised contact)

20 hours               post-workshop revision and editing of material produced (independent learning)           

16 hours               writing post-workshop reflection (independent learning)

100                         Total learner workload

Module resources/ Any other resources: Epigeum Conferences, Presenting & Networking

Results to be recorded on a Pass/Fail basis, with a Pass mark of 40%.

Each student may only receive credit for this module once.