Academic Writing (Foreign Language)

2020/2021

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

School of Literature and Intercultural Communication

Course type:

Compulsory course

When:

2 year, 4 module

Instructor

Morozova, Natalia

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This compulsory course is meant to enhance the English-language academic writing skills of the students that are key to their success in any academic and professional environment. Firstly, the course enables students to master the features and peculiarities of the academic style of writing in English. Secondly, the course enables students to practice generating texts that represent two popular genres of academic writing - abstract and critique. Finally, the course enables students to expand their vocabulary and increase their range in order to enhance their general English language competence to the C1 level.

Learning Objectives

• to familiarize students with the main linguistic features of the different modes of discourse and different styles in English;
• to help students master the main principles, conventions and linguistic features of written academic communication;

Expected Learning Outcomes

• differentiates between the communicative purpose and stylistic conventions of different types of discourse, differentiates between the syntactic and lexical peculiarities of academic and informal style;
• applies the knowledge of the stylistic, lexical and structural peculiarities of academic discourse to the creation of academic texts
• applies the knowledge of the stylistic, lexical and structural peculiarities of academic discourse to the creation of academic texts;

Course Contents

• The notion of discourse. Features of academic discourse.
  Main modes of discourse: exposition, description, narration, argumentation. Features of academic discourse: style and genres of academic texts. Academic style: things to avoid in academic writing. Syntactic and lexical peculiarities of academic style. Writing conversationally: how to engage the audience, how to structure your writing
• The genres of English-language academic writing (1): writing an abstract (summary)
  Summarizing and paraphrasing. Writing an abstract (summary of research): communicative purpose and structure. IMRaD pattern. Typical grammar and vocabulary for writing an introduction, the methods sections, results and discussion.
• The genres of English-language academic writing (2): writing a critique.
  Writing a critique: communicative purpose, structure and layout, typical grammatical structures and vocabulary. Using HSE library databases to search for relevant sources. Referencing conventions. Avoiding plagiarism. Argumentation: supporting claims with evidence, avoiding assumptions.

Assessment Elements

• Abstract (summary)
• Attendance and participation
• Critique

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (4 module)
  0.35 * Abstract (summary) + 0.15 * Attendance and participation + 0.5 * Critique

Bibliography

Recommended Core 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
• Complete Advanced, Student's Book with answers : for revised exam from 2015, 2nd ed., 9th printing, 253 p., Brook-Hart, G., Haines, S., 2015
• Gáliková, S. (2016). Academic Writing : Selected Topics in Writing an Academic Paper. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang GmbH, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1235840
• Wallwork, A. (2016). English for Writing Research Papers (Vol. Second edition). Cham: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1175370

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Cambridge Academic English : An integrated skills course for EAP : Advanced, Student's Book, Course consultant M. McCarthy, 176 p., Hewings, M., Thaine, C., 2013
• Complete Advanced, Student's Book with answers, 2nd ed., 256 p., Brook-Hart, G., Haines, S., 2014
• Grammar for CAE and Proficiency with answers, self-stady grammar reference and practice, 296 p., Hewings, M., 2009