The course is intended for students with an advanced level of English who wish to further develop their academic writing skills and their ability to present the results of their research. The course is designed to prepare students for academic publications and other outputs in English (such as scholarly articles for the Prague Law Working Papers, a master’s thesis written in English, or a conference presentation). However, this is not a requirement, and the course can also be viewed as an opportunity to develop general academic skills, both written and oral.
Students will be introduced to a range of practical tools and tips, including creating their own digital library using Zotero or Mendeley, searching for academic publications through the UKAŽ search engine, and expanding their vocabulary using the Manchester Academic Phrasebank, among others.
At the beginning of the semester, students will choose their own legal topic, which they will work on throughout the course. This will involve searching for relevant academic literature in English, formulating a central thesis, writing an abstract, and other related tasks.
The course will culminate in a presentation of the chosen topic and a chapter of a scholarly article, which can, if desired, be further developed into a manuscript suitable for publication.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (14.09.2026)
The course is intended for students with an advanced level of English who wish to further develop their academic writing skills and their ability to present the results of their research. The course is designed to prepare students for academic publications and other outputs in English (such as scholarly articles for the Prague Law Working Papers, a master’s thesis written in English, or a conference presentation). However, this is not a requirement, and the course can also be viewed as an opportunity to develop general academic skills, both written and oral.
Students will be introduced to a range of practical tools and tips, including creating their own digital library using Zotero or Mendeley, searching for academic publications through the UKAŽ search engine, and expanding their vocabulary using the Manchester Academic Phrasebank, among others.
At the beginning of the semester, students will choose their own legal topic, which they will work on throughout the course. This will involve searching for relevant academic literature in English, formulating a central thesis, writing an abstract, and other related tasks.
The course will culminate in a presentation of the chosen topic and a chapter of a scholarly article, which can, if desired, be further developed into a manuscript suitable for publication.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (14.09.2026)
Teaching methods - Czech
V případě mimořádných opatření budou studenti informování o změnách ve výuce 14 dní předem.
Last update: Dvořáková Eva, Mgr., Ph.D. (26.01.2024)
Course assessment methods and requirements for successful completion, grading scheme -
The assessment consists of three components: a short oral presentation of the student’s own topic (main thesis, objective, and outline of the relevant literature); one chapter of a scholarly article on an individually chosen topic (Introduction + Literature Review), comprising 600–800 words; and the regular completion of short homework assignments.
A minimum attendance rate of 70% is required to successfully complete the course.
Given the nature of the course, no legislation or other legal sources are used.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (14.09.2026)
The assessment consists of three components: a short oral presentation of the student’s own topic (main thesis, objective, and outline of the relevant literature); one chapter of a scholarly article on an individually chosen topic (Introduction + Literature Review), comprising 600–800 words; and the regular completion of short homework assignments.
A minimum attendance rate of 70% is required to successfully complete the course.
Given the nature of the course, no legislation or other legal sources are used.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (14.09.2026)
Syllabus -
The course covers the following topics:
Academic genres, rhetorical situations, and academic vocabulary
Thesis statements
Abstracts – structure, examples, types, and common mistakes
Academic style – readability measures, formality, plain language, legalisms, nominalisations, wordiness, information packaging, and ambiguity
AI and plagiarism
Elements of academic papers and the anatomy of an argument (Toulmin model)
Conference presentations – tips and tricks, common mistakes, alternative presentation styles, and useful phrases
UKAŽ, Zotero/Mendeley, annotated bibliographies, and Citace PRO
Book reviews – types, structure, examples, useful phrases, and how to write critically
Literature reviews – summary vs. synthesis, how to identify and indicate a research gap, and how to write critically
Introduction to a research paper – structure, examples, and useful fixed phrases
Referencing styles – OSCOLA, Bluebook, and Wolters Kluwer
Common errors in student research papers
Conclusions
Manchester Academic Phrasebank
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (14.09.2026)
The course covers the following topics:
Academic genres, rhetorical situations, and academic vocabulary
Thesis statements
Abstracts – structure, examples, types, and common mistakes
Academic style – readability measures, formality, plain language, legalisms, nominalisations, wordiness, information packaging, and ambiguity
AI and plagiarism
Elements of academic papers and the anatomy of an argument (Toulmin model)
Conference presentations – tips and tricks, common mistakes, alternative presentation styles, and useful phrases
UKAŽ, Zotero/Mendeley, annotated bibliographies, and Citace PRO
Book reviews – types, structure, examples, useful phrases, and how to write critically
Literature reviews – summary vs. synthesis, how to identify and indicate a research gap, and how to write critically
Introduction to a research paper – structure, examples, and useful fixed phrases
Referencing styles – OSCOLA, Bluebook, and Wolters Kluwer
Common errors in student research papers
Conclusions
Manchester Academic Phrasebank
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (14.09.2026)
Learning resources -
Required literature:
Students will receive study materials via Moodle.
Recommended literature:
1.GALTUNG, Johan. Structure, culture, and intellectual style: An essay comparing Saxonic, Teutonic, Gallic and Nipponic approaches. Social Science Information, 1981, 20(6), 817–856.
2.LICHTFOUSE, Eric. Scientific writing for impact factor journals. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, 2013. ISBN 1-62618-955-2.
3.ZAUMANIS, Martins. Scientific presentation skills: how to design effective research posters and deliver powerful academic presentations. 1st ed.: Peer Recognized, 2022.
4.SAND-JENSEN, Kaj. How to Write Consistently Boring Scientific Literature. Online. Oikos. 2007, roč. 116, č. 5, s. 723-727.
5.BUTT, Peter. Legalese versus plain language. Online. Amicus curiae (Bicester, England). 2012, roč. 2001, č. 35.
6.ORWELL, George. Politics and the English Language. Horizon. 1946, 13(76), 252–265.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (14.09.2026)
Required literature:
Students will receive study materials via Moodle.
Recommended literature:
1.GALTUNG, Johan. Structure, culture, and intellectual style: An essay comparing Saxonic, Teutonic, Gallic and Nipponic approaches. Social Science Information, 1981, 20(6), 817–856.
2.LICHTFOUSE, Eric. Scientific writing for impact factor journals. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, 2013. ISBN 1-62618-955-2.
3.ZAUMANIS, Martins. Scientific presentation skills: how to design effective research posters and deliver powerful academic presentations. 1st ed.: Peer Recognized, 2022.
4.SAND-JENSEN, Kaj. How to Write Consistently Boring Scientific Literature. Online. Oikos. 2007, roč. 116, č. 5, s. 723-727.
5.BUTT, Peter. Legalese versus plain language. Online. Amicus curiae (Bicester, England). 2012, roč. 2001, č. 35.
6.ORWELL, George. Politics and the English Language. Horizon. 1946, 13(76), 252–265.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (14.09.2026)
Learning outcomes -
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Explain key concepts of academic discourse in legal scholarship (e.g. peer review, hedging, impact factor, literature review).
Analyse rhetorical situations (purpose, audience, genre, stance) in academic texts.
Differentiate major academic genres relevant to legal scholarship.
Adapt language, structure, and style to different academic genres and communicative purposes.
Compare Teutonic and Anglo-Saxon academic writing styles in legal scholarship.
Explain the concept of readability and the function of common readability measures.
Describe the principles of plain language in legal-academic writing.
Assess the suitability of plain language in legal-academic contexts.
Apply plain language principles to improve clarity without loss of precision in legal-academic texts.
Design an academic conference poster that clearly communicates research aims, methods, and findings.
Deliver an effective poster presentation in a conference-style setting.
Structure and deliver an academic presentation using a recognised framework (e.g. ABT).
Formulate a clear and arguable thesis statement for legal-academic writing.
Explain the structure and function of sections in a legal research paper.
Construct an effective research paper introduction that establishes context and a research gap.
Analyse and construct academic arguments using the Toulmin model.
Manage academic sources using reference management tools (Zotero, Mendeley).
Apply responsible AI practices in academic research and writing in line with institutional guidelines.
Write a short literature review appropriate for a legal research paper.
Analyse academic abstracts to identify structural and stylistic weaknesses.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (14.09.2026)
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Explain key concepts of academic discourse in legal scholarship (e.g. peer review, hedging, impact factor, literature review).
Analyse rhetorical situations (purpose, audience, genre, stance) in academic texts.
Differentiate major academic genres relevant to legal scholarship.
Adapt language, structure, and style to different academic genres and communicative purposes.
Compare Teutonic and Anglo-Saxon academic writing styles in legal scholarship.
Explain the concept of readability and the function of common readability measures.
Describe the principles of plain language in legal-academic writing.
Assess the suitability of plain language in legal-academic contexts.
Apply plain language principles to improve clarity without loss of precision in legal-academic texts.
Design an academic conference poster that clearly communicates research aims, methods, and findings.
Deliver an effective poster presentation in a conference-style setting.
Structure and deliver an academic presentation using a recognised framework (e.g. ABT).
Formulate a clear and arguable thesis statement for legal-academic writing.
Explain the structure and function of sections in a legal research paper.
Construct an effective research paper introduction that establishes context and a research gap.
Analyse and construct academic arguments using the Toulmin model.
Manage academic sources using reference management tools (Zotero, Mendeley).
Apply responsible AI practices in academic research and writing in line with institutional guidelines.
Write a short literature review appropriate for a legal research paper.
Analyse academic abstracts to identify structural and stylistic weaknesses.
