Course Putting the pieces together.Writing the presentation (“kappe” ) to an article-based doctoral thesis

Course description

In this seminar, we will discuss strategies for writing the presentation (often referred to as a the “kappe,” literal English translation: “cape”) for doctoral researchers writing an article-based thesis. The seminar will feature insights from previous doctoral candidates, who will share their strategies and advice for writing the kappe. We will also cover topics such as working with formal criteria, understanding examiner expectations, and approaches to structuring this type of text, as well as the overall writing process. The seminar will consist of a mix of discussions, short lectures, and practical exercises.

Aim/Learning outcomes

The objectives are to help participants develop increased awareness of:

• the structure and purpose of the presentation (“kappe”)
• ways to demonstrate the overall coherence of their project
• rhetorical and linguistic resources that contribute to demonstrating coherence

Target group/Participants

• PhD students working on article-based doctoral thesis

Workload

• Course/ teaching hours: 6 hours
• Preparation hours: 19 hours

Language 

• English

Lecturers

• Kristin Solli, associate professor of English at the Unit for English for Academic Purposes and co-director of the PhD Program in Educational Sciences for Teacher Education at Oslo Metropolitan University
• Kirsten Elisa Petersen, associate professor, Ph.D., Director of the Ph.D.programme in Learning and Education, DPU, Aarhus University
• Jeppe Bundsgaard, professor, Director of the Ph.D.programme in Didactic, DPU, Aarhus University

Literature

• Find 2 examples of article-based theses in your field or a related field. The examples can be from the University of Aarhus or from other universities. You can find some here: https://ebooks.au.dk/aul/catalog/series/phd. You can also look here: https://thesisbypublication.com/examples You do not need to read the examples in detail ahead of time, but have a look through them and bring them along to the workshop, electronically or on paper – whatever you prefer.
• Read: Nygaard, L.P & Solli, K. (2021). «The writing process. Learning to juggle.” and “Demonstrating doctorateness through the narrative.” (Chapters 3 and 4 in Strategies for Writing a Thesis by Publication in the Social Sciences and Humanities (1st ed.). Routledge)

Venue

• 22 October 2026. 09.00-15.00. Emdrupvej 101 , 2400 København NV. Building 7210/Building A, room 104

Course dates:

• 22 October 2026 09:00 - 00:00