Keywords
General description
This course is intended for students of all faculties who need to learn how to write academic texts in English.
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to make the students aware of the conventions involved in producing good academic writing and to enable students to produce coherent academic texts of their own. The course also serves as preparation for the Introduction to Thesis Writing course.
After successful completion of the course the students
- can construct logical and coherent academic texts using appropriate lexical and structural devices
- are aware of the principles of referencing and will be able to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate use of sources (paraphrasing vs. plagiarism)
- can critically evaluate and synthesise research carried out in their field of study
Contents
The course will go through
- the general elements composing academic texts and their structures
- the formulation of academically acceptable thesis statements
- the differences between formal and informal vocabulary and style
- textual patterns used to compare, contrast and synthesise ideas
- evaluation criteria used to assess sources of information
- ways of referring to other writers' ideas without plagiarising
- the conventions used in referring to sources in the text itself and in the list of references
Further information on prerequisites and recommendations
This course is especially recommended for international degree students as well as students who are thinking of writing academic texts in English.
Teaching methods
| Teaching method | Contact | Online |
| Tutorials | 39 h | 0 h |
| Independent work | 41 h | 26 h |
The course will be made up of class sessions, out-of-class process writing and an individual feedback session. Each student is expected to read the necessary material on Moodle before each class so as to be able to discuss it in the class session. The class sessions will also include whole class and small group discussions on the students' process writing.
Teaching language
EnglishModes of study
- Weekly readings and exercises
- An academic essay
- Participation in the class sessions
Evaluation and evaluation criteria
Pass/fail.Completion of all the necessary tasks to a satisfactory level as well as active participation in the class sessions.
Study materials
The necessary materials will be available on-line through Moodle.
