The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Independent Learning Centre

Publishing Research Papers Series

Having worked in the National University of Singapore on critical thinking, professional communication and academic writing at all levels for more than 20 years, both Susan Lopez-Nerney and Paul Nerney currently design and run writing workshops for graduate degree candidates and post-doctoral Ph.D. holders from various Asian countries, such as the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Japan, China, Korea and India. They also work as freelance editors for academic institutes and publishing houses. Susan and Paul can be reached at slopeznerney@gmail.com and pnerney@gmail.com respectively.

Constructing your research paper around an argument: A gateway to publication

Date	24 April 2018 (Tuesday)
Time	2:30pm-4:15pm
Speaker	Paul Nerney
Venue	Seminar Room 2, Wu Chung Multimedia Library
Registration	To secure a seat, register now.
Workshop Description	One task of journal editors is to decide whether a submitted manuscript clearly argues how its research findings lead to a new understanding of a research topic. A "yes" increases a manuscript’s chances of being peer reviewed. A “no” means the manuscript will probably be rejected. This workshop describes three sets of planning strategies for developing arguments in a research paper: (1) formulating a research topic, problem, and answer; (2) sequencing claims about the research answer to bring readers step-by-step to a new understanding of the topic; and (3) developing reasons and evidence from research findings. In addition, participants will do structured analyses of selected arguments from a published research paper.
Speaker's Bio	Paul Nerney designed, administered, and taught language, writing, and critical thinking courses for the University Scholars Programme, the University residential college academic curriculum, and the Centre for English Language Communication, National University of Singapore for 32 years. (Email: pnerney@gmail.com)
Event Photos

Salient features of (publishable) academic English

Date	25 April 2018 (Wednesday)
Time	2:30pm-4:15pm
Speaker	Susan Lopez-Nerney
Venue	Seminar Room 2, Wu Chung Multimedia Library
Registration	To secure a seat, register now.
Workshop Description	Tips on how to produce successful, i.e. publishable, research papers in English abound. The sheer number of tips can confuse writers hoping to break into publication. This workshop presents the most salient features of the language of publishable research papers. The exercises will help writers identify these features, understand how and why they work, and most of all, learn to replicate these features in their own writing. During this workshop, participants will analyse and discuss these features and learn with other writers who are working towards the same goal — publication of their work.
Speaker's Bio	Susan Lopez-Nerney designed, administered, and taught language and writing courses as well as professional communication in the Centre for English Language Communication, National University of Singapore at the undergraduate and graduate school levels from June 1992 to June 2013. (Email: slopeznerney@gmail.com)
Event Photos

Inspirations