Writing for Publication: Developing an Academic Paper (2024)

This course will facilitate the writing and submission of a journal article, based on an existing draft piece of writing such as a thesis chapter or conference paper. Through a series of discussions, exercises and activities, including peer review of drafts, students will learn to structure a journal article, position their article in relation to current research, distill a cogent and compelling argument with sufficient evidence, and find an appropriate journal. As part of the course, students will become familiar with the peer review and publishing processes used by scholarly journals, and will critically examine scholarship on academic writing and publishing.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. critically analyse existing research and position their own research in relation to a research field;
2. make an original argument of appropriate scope for an academic journal, and provide extensive evidence for that argument in the context of a research paper;
3. critically analyse and provide editorial comments on a peer's work;
4. research, write and submit an extended research paper to a peer-reviewed journal; and
5. critically analyse scholarly and general literature on academic writing and research.

Other Information

Students must seek permission from the course convenor and from their supervisor to enrol.

Indicative Assessment

1. Presentation on an aspect of journal article writing process (10 minutes) (10) [LO 5]
2. Article abstract (200-300 words) (10) [LO 1,2]
3. Peer review comments of 300-500 words on another student's work (10) [LO 3]
4. Research paper, submitted to journal (5000-6000 words) (70) [LO 1,2,4]

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

130 hours per semester, comprising 24 hours of seminars and 106 hours of private study.

Since students need to complete an article and submit it for peer review by the end of the course to gain credit, they need to spend significant amounts of time outside class researching, writing and revising their papers. Meeting for two hours per week is sufficient to discuss the readings and material for the course, and to help students overcome any issues that they're having with their writing.

Inherent Requirements

Not applicable

Requisite and Incompatibility

Students must have completed their TPR

You will need to contact the School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics to request a permission code to enrol in this course.

Prescribed Texts

Belcher, W. L. Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks. London: Sage, 2009

Preliminary Reading

Selections from: Murray, R. Writing for Academic Journals. Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press, 2009

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.