AJc210 Academic Writing

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/0/2. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Radek Vogel, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Světlana Hanušová, Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
Supplier department: Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The main objectives of the course of Academic Writing can be summarised as follows:
• to familiarise students with the methodology of science;
• to introduce them to the formal written style and its genres;
• to enhance their ability to use English appropriately in writing for academic purposes;
• to expand and practise the vocabulary and grammar of Academic English.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to:
• utilise the presented means and structures of the professional and scientific style when writing their own texts;
• select a suitable research method, as well as procedures for its description, analysis and interpretation of results;
• use primary and secondary sources appropriately and refer to them in the text;
• write an academic text on a chosen topic as their final task, using the prescribed means and procedures of the style of science.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction. Writing an academic essay - instructions and recommendations.
  • 2. Methodology of science. Written vs. spoken medium. Formal vs. informal styles.
  • 3. Genres of academic and scientific writing. Scientific prose style vs. popular scientific / didactic style. Linguistic appropriateness.
  • 4. Cohesion and coherence. Lexical and grammatical cohesion. Connectors.
  • 5. Punctuation in English.
  • 6. Vocabulary of academic texts. Abbreviation.
  • 7. Syntax of academic texts. Word order.
  • 8. Quotations and paraphrases. Endnotes and footnotes. Bibliography/references.
  • 9. Thesis and argument. Methodology of science.
  • 10. Teaching practice task: What are the needs of teaching formal/academic writing at lower and upper secondary schools? Which methods, activities and tasks do you find the most useful?
Literature
    required literature
  • HAMP-LYONS, Liz and Ben HEASLEY. Study writing : a course in writing skills for academic purposes. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006, 213 s. ISBN 9780521534963. info
    recommended literature
  • URBANOVÁ, Ludmila and Andrew Philip OAKLAND. Úvod do anglické stylistiky (Introduction to English Stylistics). 1st ed. Brno: Barrister & Principal, 2002, 148 pp. Studium. ISBN 80-86598-33-0. info
  • MACPHERSON, Robin. Základy anglické stylistiky. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 1997, 239 s. ISBN 8301118644. info
  • MCCARTHY, Michael and Felicity O'DELL. Academic vocabulary in use. First published. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008, 176 stran. ISBN 9780521689397. info
Teaching methods
Teaching methods:
- explanation, practice and discussion in class;
- home study and written assignment.
Assessment methods
Completion prerequisites:
- attendance - recommended 75%;
- active participation in seminars;
- seminar essay - a piece of academic text, due on January 3, 2025. Pass mark - minimum 70%.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: in blocks.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 24 hodin.
Teacher's information
http://moodlinka.ics.muni.cz/course/view.php?id=3578

If a student is spending the whole semester abroad within the framework of the Erasmus programme, attendance is not considered obligatory but the compulsory written assignments must be submitted online in due times.


In the course, the use of AI is permitted for learning but not for cheating. It is acceptable to use AI for brainstorming ideas, basic proofreading, and suggestions for improvement. It is unacceptable to have a text generated, translated or reformulated. Remember to acknowledge all innovative ideas that are not yours. For generated ideas, use in-text citations. At the end of each assignment, state how you worked/did not work with AI. When in doubt, consult your teacher.

The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
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