Academic Writing Module syllabus
Academic Writing (3 credits )
Module syllabus
1. Unit description
Academic writing is the study of how to organize a research paper appropriately, including the choosing of a topic, the layout of the thesis and the outline, using of the library and computer to do the research, revising of the rough draft and recognizing of three systems of documentation (MLA, APA, and CMS).
This course is designed to help students learn how to write a research paper and to lay a foundation for writing more advanced academic papers in English for their future career. The course is an essential guide to effective academic writing in English.
Through the course, the students will learn to write a research paper, which has great benefits to their future research fields. Meanwhile, students can develop their abilities of strong logic and critical thinking towards an issue, and it means more for their work and study. The academic writing skills and reasoning ability absolutely will lay the forceful foundation for the students’ future career.
On successful completion of the module, learners will be able to:
? List the basic information about the research paper
? Set up a sensible framework of a research paper
? Carry out a research with the help of the computer
? Transform the notes into a rough draft and navigate the revision process ? Recognize the documentation styles of the MLA, APA, and CMS
2. Pre-requisite units and assumed knowledge
None.
3. Learning aims and Outcomes
Learning outcome 1
List the basic information about the research paper.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
a. Define the research paper.
b. Differentiate the report paper and the thesis paper.
1/8
Academic Writing Module syllabus
c. State the steps and schedule of writing the research paper.
Learning outcome 2
Set up a sensible framework of a research paper.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
a. Manage to choose a proper topic.
b. Write the thesis statement accurately.
c. Construct the outline reasonably.
Learning Outcome 3
Carry out a research with the help of the computer.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
a. Judge the credibility of online sources.
b. List useful internet sites.
c. Assemble a working bibliography.
d. Collect information through skimming.
Learning Outcome 4
Transform the notes into a rough draft and navigate the revision process.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
a. Write the rough draft with unity, coherence, and emphasis.
b. Revise the opening paragraph.
c. Revise sentences for variety and style.
d. Revise words: Diction.
Learning Outcome 5
2/8
Academic Writing Module syllabus
Recognize the documentation styles of the MLA, APA, and CMS.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
a. Memorize the format for “worked Cited” (MLA).
b. List the format for “References” (APA).
c. Recall the footnotes and endnotes in CMS.
4. Weighting of final grade
Attendance
Class Participation
Final Exam
Midterm Exams
Written assignments
10% 10% 20% 20% 40%
5. Grading
A 100- 95
B 86-83
C 76- 73
D 66-63
A- 94-90 B- 82-80 C- 72-70 D- 62-60 B+ 89-87 C+ 79-77 D+ 69-67 F 59 or low
6. Policies
Attendance Policy
Attendance in class is mandatory for all students enrolled in the course. Any excused absence must be discussed directly with the teacher. Being late to class within 15 minutes will be recorded as 1 LATE and being late over 15 minutes will be recorded as l ABSENCE. 3 LATES equal to 1 ABSENCE. 20 % absences of the total teaching hours will cause an F (a failing grade ) directly . However, students are still welcome to continue to attend class. F students have no right to drop this course anymore. Each unexcused absence will result in the lowering of the attendance grade by 1 point. Each excused absence will result in the lowering of the attendance grade by 0.5 point.
Participation Policy
Students should participate in their chosen classes actively and effectively. The Participation Grade is related to the Attendance Grade. Students' final attendance grade is the maximum of their participation grade. Participation grade will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to taking part in class discussions and activities, completing assignments, being able to answer questions correctly, obeying class rules, and being prepared for class, frequent visiting your instructors and
3/8
Academic Writing Module syllabus
chatting in English during their office hours is highly recommended.
Policy on Assignments and Quizzes
Students should finish their assignments completely and punctually. Assignment should be submitted on the date appointed by the instructor. If a student cannot hand in the assignment on time, the reasonable excuse will be needed. Late assignments will receive a maximum grade of 80. An assignment that is late for 3 days will be corrected but receive 0.
You are recommended print all your assignment in the uniform format with the heading of Student’s Pledge of no cheating. Written assignment or printed ones without the uniform heading of pledge will receive a maximum grade of 80.
It is mandatory to have weekend assignment every week. Any weekend assignment should be submitted on first class of next week.
It is mandatory to have holiday assignment on the public holidays. Any holiday assignment should be submitted on the first day on returning to school. Students are required to do a multitude of presentations during the course.
Plagiarism
Any form of Cheating is NEVER tolerated. Any Student ONCE Caught Cheating assignment or examination will receive a 0 for that particular work of the whole semester. At the beginning of the semester the definition of plagiarism will be carefully explained. When any thoughts or writings of another person are used, the sources must be clearly identified (using quotes, bibliography and giving reference) .
Classroom Polices
1. No eating, cellular phones, electronic dictionaries, smoking, chatting or drowsing
in class.
2. Please speak in English rather than Chinese in class.
3. Students are not allowed to attend class without textbooks.
4. Stand up when answering questions.
5. Respect classmates’ ideas, opinions, and questions of your classmates.
6. You are welcome to visit the instructor’s office in his/her office hours.
7. Take good care of the laboratory facilities. Do not splash water on the desktop.
8. When each class is over, hang the earphone on the hanger. Put the trash into the
trash-bin.
9. All your classroom involvement, performance and after-class communications
with instructor will affect your participation score.
10. All communications with the teacher must be in English, both inside and outside
class time.
7. Texts and other resources
Winkler, Anthony C；McCuen-Metherell, Jo Ray (2008), “Writing the Research Paper:
A Handbook”, Seventh Edition, Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
4/8
Academic Writing Module syllabus
8. Teaching methods
Assigned readings, class discussions, writing assignments, and revisions
9. Week by week topic and study guide
5/8
Academic Writing Module syllabus
6/8
Academic Writing Module syllabus
7/8
Academic Writing Module syllabus
8/8
