Course "Imitating Form and Analyzing Argument in Research Articles: An Intensive Rhetoric and Composition Course"

In this course, participants will critically read, analyze, and write the rhetorical forms researchers use to compose arguments in research articles in both sciences and humanities. The course has two practical/empirical goals: 

1. Participants will closely read, analyze, and discover the forms of argument in published articles, identifying models they can imitate in their own writing: sentence styles, paragraphs (logical and rhetorical patterns), thesis statements (claims and support), definitions, and genres (article organization). 

2. Participants will, then, write parts of their own research articles, imitating the forms and styles made present in the published articles.

For analysis, participants will work with a published research article they have chosen from their preferred discipline and with model articles provided by the instructor. For composition practice, participants will be given various writing tasks asking them to imitate the models and forms found in the published articles. Participants can expect ample feedback to their written assignments from the instructor, in peer review, in large group discussions, and reflective journals. Ultimately, we rigorously answer for ourselves the question: what conventional models of composition and style can help us craft our own research articles according to our discipline’s standards?

Trainer: Dr. Melvin Hall has a Ph.D. in Composition and Rhetoric from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and has taught academic writing, argument, and critical thinking for over fifteen years, with an emphasis on the cultural role of rhetoric and comparative rhetoric. He currently teaches English language courses at Moscow Finance and Law University.

Dates: October 15 – November 12, (20 a/h)
Time: 17:00-20:00
Format: online

English level requirement: B2+

How do I get accepted? The course is offered on a competitive basis. Please, fill out an online registration form and write a motivation letter in English (about 300 words). Please describe your experience of writing academic texts in English and the difficulties you have faced. Explain how the course will help you overcome these challenges and how the new skills are relevant to your teaching and / or research. The motivation letter should clearly demonstrate that the applicant has read the course syllabus and is willing to make time to do all course tasks.

For more information on how to write a strong motivation letter, please read the AWC blog.