2022-2023 Academic Writing classes for students in their first year

During their first year of study at the DAI all students take part in an academic writing course (4 sessions), which will look at: formulating arguments and presenting data, organisation and coherence throughout a text, writing clear and concise paragraphs, the proper use of sources (literature review, paraphrasing, quoting, and referencing). The aim is to formulate a clear thesis proposal at the end of the year.

The HTDTWT program co-ordinator and tutor for the academic writing classes is Florian Göttke

Please return to this page for monthly program updates.

Class 1 (21 November) Arnhem

group A: 11:30 - 13:00

group B: 14:30 - 16:00

Introduction 

What is research in the arts? -- What is research in academia? -- How to engage with theory at the DAI

Introduction Thesis guidelines -- Academic Research in relation to Artistic Practice

Referencing Sources

Paraphrasing, quoting, inline quote/block quote, footnotes and bibliography, Chicago Manual of Style

Assignment 1: Text Summary (deadline: Thu 26 Jan)

Choose two texts, either from your theory seminar, or another text that you are interested in. Read and highlight the most important points in the argument. Write a short text (around 300 words) summarising (a part of) the argument of the author. Use paraphrasing and one quote. Start with a sentence identifying the source text like this: “In the essay “title,” performance scholar “name” … introduces/suggests/proposes … .

Class 2 (6 March, at PAF) 

group A: 10:30 - 12:30

group B: 14:00 - 16:00

How to start and finish your thesis

Discussion Thesis Proposal

Assignment 2: you can choose between these two options:

2a: Use a text to discuss an object of research 

Choose an object of research, which could be an image, text, film, performance, exhibition, news report, event, concept). Choose a text from your theory seminar. Write a short text. (300 - 400 words) using the text from your seminar to analyse/talk about the object of research. Use paraphrasing and quotes.

2b: Topic/object of research for your thesis

Imagine a possible topic/object of research for your thesis. Write a description of the topic in 300 - 400 words. Consider following aspects: factual information about the topic; situating the topic and your own investment in it; the questions you have towards the topic; possible theoretical perspectives.

deadline: Fri 7 April

Class 3 (April, at PAF)

group A: 

group B:

Class 4 (May in Salina)

discussing assignment 3: finding a topic for the thesis