Academic Writing

Academic Writing: Building Essential Skills

Course Duration: 5 weeks (30 hours total)

Academic writing plays a crucial role at the university level, serving as a cornerstone of your education. Academic writing is a fundamental means of communication ithin the academic community. Through the practice of writing academic papers, students learn to present their arguments systematically, supporting them with evidence and relevant xamples. This process trains students to think critically, construct persuasive arguments, and develop a coherent line of reasoning. It demands the organization and structuring of deas in a logical manner and cultivates precision, clarity, and coherence in students' thought processes.

In this course, students will learn the model followed by western universities for an academic essay. We would note that it is different from the model taught in Taiwan. The course will introduce the standard essay model used at a university level, as well as review the five different types of academic essays that you will be presented with at university, such as the argumentative or persuasive essay. We will share techniques for improving the coherence and flow of your writing, as well as how to connect ideas, arguments and evidence in a logical progression.

This 5-week academic writing class is designed to enhance students' skills in writing effectively for academic purposes. Through a combination of theory, practical exercises, and feedback, students will develop the fundamental skills required to produce well-structured, coherent, and persuasive academic essays. The course will cover various aspects of academic writing, including essay structure, thesis statements, paragraph development, research skills, citation and referencing, and editing techniques.

Class 1: Introduction to Academic Writing

• Understanding the purpose and characteristics of academic writing
• Elements of a well-structured essay
• Introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion

Class 2: Opening Paragraphs

• Developing a strong thesis statement
• Structure

Class 3: Paragraph Development

• Topic sentences and supporting details
• Coherence and unity within paragraphs
• Transition words and phrases

Class 4: Concluding Paragraphs

• Summarizing your arguments
• So what’s
• Transition words and phrases

Class 5: Essay Formats

• Argument/Opinion Essays
• Advantages & Disadvantages Essays
• Problem & Solution Essays

Class 6: Essay Formats 2

• Both Sides Views Essays
• Compare & Contrast Essays

Class 7: Citation and Referencing

• Understanding different citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA)
• In-text citations and creating reference lists
• Avoiding plagiarism through proper citation practices

Class 8: Avoiding Common Writing Errors

• Writing clear and concise sentences
• Proper grammar and punctuation usage

Class 9: Course Review and Skill Assessment

• Reviewing the teaching points from previous weeks
• Final paper assignment

Class 10:

• Peer evaluation and comments
• Teacher's overall assessment

Assessment:

• Weekly writing exercises and assignments to apply the concepts learned
• Peer review and feedback sessions to foster collaborative learning
• Final essay assignment to demonstrate proficiency in academic writing skills

Note: This syllabus is a general outline and can be modified or expanded based on the specific needs and goals of the academic writing class.