Бакалавриат 2020/2021

Основы академического письма

Статус: Курс обязательный (Программа двух дипломов НИУ ВШЭ и Университета Кёнхи «Экономика и политика в Азии»)

Направление: 41.03.01. Зарубежное регионоведение

Кто читает: Факультет мировой экономики и мировой политики

Где читается: Факультет мировой экономики и мировой политики

Когда читается: 1-й курс, 1-4 модуль

Формат изучения: с онлайн-курсом

Преподаватели: Якушева Ирина Владимировна

Язык: английский

Кредиты: 4

Контактные часы: 114

Course Syllabus

Abstract

As an introduction to university writing, this course will take students through the necessary elements of writing for academic purposes: the process itself, its genres, features and conventions. This includes the writing process, factual and analytical writing, organizing various essay types, developing a thesis, evaluating information, providing supporting evidence, and citing and referencing outside sources. Starting from general culture-specific and stylistic features of academic writing in English, students will work their way through the writing process, including prewriting research, drafting and revising, editing and proofreading, towards larger academic essays. Alongside with the key theoretical concepts and major practical issues, the course will develop knowledge of linguistic structures, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling, through practice in composing and revising. Students will write something for or in every class. During the course, the students will be familiarized with theory of argumentation and develop basic research skills.

Learning Objectives

• Мastering the key theoretical concepts of the given subject;
• understanding the genre conventions;
• gaining experience reading critically;
• practicing composing for different rhetorical purposes;
• locating and evaluating primary and secondary research materials;
• developing a writing project through multiple drafts;
• developing the effective use of language;
• preparing students for writing for other disciplines.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Students should demonstrate proficiency in written academic English.
• Students should understand features of various written texts (summaries, essays) and be able to incorporate them in their own writing.
• students should be aware of formal writing conventions.
• Students should use strategies of effective written communication.
• Students should enrich academic vocabulary and extend grammar range.
• Students should be able to write accurate sentences and coherent paragraphs.
• Students should produce clear text using appropriate logical connectors.
• Students should be able to manage their own writing process such as prewriting, planning, drafting, revising, editing.
• Students should be able to formulate a research question, plan and carry out corresponding research
• Students should be able to critically evaluate sources of information.
• Students should write longer arguments using a variety of rhetorical modes and techniques.
• Students should master proper citation methods and standards.

Course Contents

• Overview of the course and Diagnostic Writing Test.
  Introducing the course syllabus, aims and requirements; gauging the students’ level of language proficiency.
• Rhetorical situation and Academic Convention.
  Rhetorical situation elements; basic features of academic writing; formality, efficiency, modesty, clarity; paragraph as a structural unit of academic texts; effective topic sentence
• Writing process: pre-writing, drafting, revising. Paragraph writing: unity and coherence.
  The writing process: pre-writing, organizing one’s writing: outlining, proofreading & peer-editing; unity and coherence.
• Academic Language, Style and Syntax.
  Paragraph structure: theory, group practice, peer review. 4-step/unification writing task introduction.
• Reading as part of writing Reading &summarizing.
  Reading rhetorically, identifying text structure, logical order patterns.
• Evaluating print & online sources. APA citation and referencing.
  Evaluating print & online sources for currency, credibility and relevancy; registering sources in APA format.
• Using evidence from sources—part 3 Referenced paragraph
  Finding and evaluating from various sources; using evidence as supporting details in students’ writing.
• Mid-term exam.
• Essay types: factual vs argumentative.
  - Forms of College Writing and 3 Curricular Divisions: Writing in the Humanities, the Social Sciences and the Natural Sciences. - Rhetorical Modes: Narration, Description, and Reflection. - Overview and characteristics of Definition, Classification, Process, Comparison and Contrast, Cause and Effect and Argumentative Essays.
• Essay structure.
  - Planning the Body of Your Essay. Body Paragraphs. Composing the Paragraph Sequence. Transitions between Paragraphs. Avoiding common errors. - Beginnings and Endings. How to Write a Good Lead-In. Avoiding Errors in Lead-Ins. How to Write a Good Concluding Paragraph. Avoiding Errors in Conclusions. - How to Write a Good Title. Essay structure II - How to understand your title - Brainstorming ideas - Thesis statement (developing, narrowing, polishing, common errors)
• Text Organization.
  - Overall coherence and cohesion. Problems to avoid - Development by Example. Why and How to Use Examples In Your Writing. - Description. How to Write Effective Description. - Comparison and Contrast. Which Pattern Should You Use?. - Definition. Why Do We Define? - Division and Classification. - Causal Analysis.
• Arguments and Argumentation Logical fallacies in Argumentation.
  - Strategies for Argumentation and Persuasion. Understanding Arguments. - Structuring Arguments. - Engaging the Opposition. - Arguing Through Appeals. - Making and Qualifying Claims. Reasoning With and Supporting Claims. Arguments and Argumentation II - Identifying and Avoiding Logical Fallacies. - Arguing for Positions, Actions, and Solutions. - Strategies for Constructing an Argument. Sample Argumentative Essays.
• Research before Writing
  - Getting Started: From Planning Research to Evaluating Sources. - Papers with Documented Research. - The Research Process: A Flow Chart. - Getting Focused. Understanding Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources. Developing a Research Plan. Exploring Information Sources and Sites. Conducting Effective Keyword Searches. Engaging and Evaluating Sources. Creating a Working Bibliography. Developing a Note- Taking System. - Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting Source Material. Avoiding Unintentional Plagiarism.
• Referencing Standards and Avoiding Plagiarism.
  - Building Credibility: Avoiding Plagiarism. - Developing Credibility Through Sources Use. Recognizing Plagiarism. Understanding Why Plagiarism Is Serious. Avoiding Plagiarism. Avoiding Other Source Abuses. Critical - CMS Style. CMS Documentation: CMS Format Guidelines. Guidelines for In- Text Citations. CMS Footnotes and Endnotes. - MLA Style. CMS Documentation: MLA Format Guidelines. Guidelines for In- Text Citations. MLA Works Cited. - APA Style. APA Documentation. APA Format Guidelines. Guidelines for In- Text Citations. APA References.
• Self-Editing Strategies.
  - The importance of proofreading. - Proofreading strategies that can improve the final draft. - Common language and grammar mistakes. - Making final checks before submitting
• Final Exam.

Assessment Elements

• Class participation and home assignments
  Cheating, plagiarism, and any other violations of academic ethics are not tolerated. The program academic supervisor and manager will be notified of such instances. Cheating or suspected cheating of any kind during the tests will result in a grade 0.
• Quizzes
  Cheating, plagiarism, and any other violations of academic ethics are not tolerated. The program academic supervisor and manager will be notified of such instances. Cheating or suspected cheating of any kind during the tests will result in a grade 0.
• Writing assignments
  Cheating, plagiarism, and any other violations of academic ethics are not tolerated. The program academic supervisor and manager will be notified of such instances. Cheating or suspected cheating of any kind during the tests will result in a grade 0. Throughout the course students will write several papers both in class and at home. The final writing assignments grade will be calculated as the mean of all the writing tasks grades. Written home assignments should be submitted before the deadline set by the instructor. If submitted after the deadline, the paper will receive grade 0. Writing is assessed with the help of rubrics.
• Midterm test
  Cheating, plagiarism, and any other violations of academic ethics are not tolerated. The program academic supervisor and manager will be notified of such instances. Cheating or suspected cheating of any kind during the tests will result in a grade 0.
• Final exam (written paper)
  Cheating, plagiarism, and any other violations of academic ethics are not tolerated. The program academic supervisor and manager will be notified of such instances. Cheating or suspected cheating of any kind during the tests will result in a grade 0.

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (4 module)
  0.1 * Class participation and home assignments + 0.3 * Final exam (written paper) + 0.2 * Midterm test + 0.1 * Quizzes + 0.3 * Writing assignments

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Writing Academic English, Oshima, A., 1999

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Bailey, S. (2017). Academic Writing : A Handbook for International Students (Vol. Fifth edition). London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1650435
• Porter, D. (2007). Check Your Vocabulary for Academic English : All You Need to Pass Your Exams: Vol. 3rd ed. A&C Black Business Information and Development.
• Vince, M. (2009). Advanced language practice. Oxford.