Reading and writing academic texts

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

• to further students’ appreciation of scientific research and scientific text (inclusive of the MA thesis genre) as forms of academic argument, rather than an expository or balanced ‘for-and-against’ essay, dependent on an adopted thesis and on data analysis;
• to consolidate and develop the language skills essential for constructing, drafting and revising a scientific text, also in the context of the MA project (allowing for disciplinary variation if needed);
• to teach academic text organisation in line with recommended, widely applicable rhetorical models and in keeping with the standards of BA/MA thesis organisation;
• to develop students’ ability to critically read and write sections of an academic text, and to correct them
• to teach and practise the use of ‘proper’ academic style;
• to develop and enhance students’ ability to integrate sources into their argument;
• to teach proper documentation of sources (in conformity with the stylesheet and template requirements).

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

• A good command of English (at least at C1 level)
• Students should be involved in conducting their own research towards completion of a graduation paper in English. Their research area should be humanities.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to the course/ Social contextualisation of research  

 

Week 2: Social contextualisation of research

 

Week 3: MA paper structure, discipline variation and rhetorical structure

 

Week 4: MA paper formatting and citation          

 

Week 5: Academic vs non-academic language – vocabulary and grammar

 

Week 6: Academic vs non-academic language – vocabulary and grammar

 

Week 7: Academic style – stance and hedging    

 

Week 8: Working with sources

 

Week 9: Synthesising sources

 

Week 10: Describing methods

 

Week 11: Results and discussion

 

Week 12: Conclusion     

 

Week 13: Introduction   

 

Week 14: Other genres of academic texts (e.g. article abstracts, articles, conference presentations, conference posters etc.)

 

Week 15: MA samples or samples of other academic texts - consultations

Reading list

• Bailey, Stephen. 2011. Academic Writing: A handbook for international students (3rd ed.). London: Routledge.
• Carter, Ronald and Michael McCarthy. 2006. Cambridge grammar of English: A comprehensive guide. Spoken and written English grammar and usage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Hinkel, Eli. 2004. Teaching academic ESL writing: Practical techniques in vocabulary and grammar. New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Hyland, Ken. 2006. English for academic purposes: An advanced resource book. London: Routledge. McPherson, Robin. 1994. University English. Warszawa: Wydawnictwa Szkolne i Pedagogiczne.
• Jordan, Robert R. 1997. English for academic purposes. A guide and resource book for teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• McCarthy, Michael and Felicity O’Dell. 2008. Academic vocabulary in use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• McPherson, Robin. 1994. University English. Warszawa: Wydawnictwa Szkolne i Pedagogiczne.
• Swales, John M. and Christine B. Feak. 2000. English in today's research world: A writing guide. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.
• Swales, John M. and Christine B. Feak. 2004. Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills. (2nd edition.) Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.
• The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
• Wallwork, Adrian. 2013a. English for academic research: Writing exercises. New York: Springer.

Wallwork, Adrien. 2013b. English for academic research: Vocabulary exercises. New York: Springer.