Dissertation Writing for International Postgraduate Students
Series Description: This course guides you through the process of writing a dissertation as an international postgraduate student in all subject areas. The sessions provide useful advice on key aspects of dissertation writing, from argument and structure to language and criticality.
Target Audience: For anyone interested, but particularly tailored for International postgraduate students.
The series will run in-person throughout the June and July.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Date | Time | Class Title | Class Description | Venue |
| Tue 23 June | 11:00-12:00 | Being Critical of Literature | Being critical of academic literature (journal articles, etc.) is essential in all postgraduate dissertations. This class discusses how to be critical and show this effectively in your writing. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Wed 24 June | 11:00-12:00 | Building an Effective Argument | A good, well-considered argument is key for a strong dissertation. This class outlines what an effective dissertation argument should look like, emphasising the importance of supporting your claims with evidence. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Tue 30 June | 11:00-12:00 | Using Language in Your Dissertation | We can do many things with language to improve our academic work. This class discusses how best to use academic language in your dissertation, considering important aspects such as tone and structure. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Wed 1 July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing Effective Dissertation Chapters | Well-structured and focused chapters contribute to a strong final dissertation. This class discusses how to write effective chapters in your dissertation, considering elements including structure, evidence, and analysis. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Tue 7 July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing a Dissertation Introduction | A good dissertation introduction clearly sets out the rationale, research question(s), and background for your work. This class discusses dissertation introductions, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Wed 8 July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing a Dissertation Conclusion | A good dissertation conclusion ties all of your chapters together and emphasises the central point of your work. This class discusses dissertation conclusions, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Tue 14 July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing a Dissertation Abstract | A good dissertation abstract provides a short but comprehensive overview of the entire dissertation. This class discusses dissertation abstracts, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Wed 15 July | 11:00-12:00 | Using Evidence in Your Dissertation | All strong dissertations are founded in substantial evidence. This class discusses how to find and use evidence effectively in your dissertation. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Tue 21 July | 11:00-12:00 | Improving Your Dissertation Through Editing | Good editing can enhance the strength of a dissertation. This class works through useful approaches to editing your dissertation's structure, content, and writing. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Wed 22 July | 11:00-12:00 | Effective Referencing and AI Use in Your Dissertation | Good dissertations must be properly referenced (using Harvard, MHRA, APA, etc.). This class explains how to reference in dissertations and where AI can be a useful tool. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
