Study Guide

Objective

You become aware of your writing skill level at the onset of your studies. You realise the skill level required to write academic papers. You explore the concepts of context, formality, report and essay writing, as well as the basics of argumentation in writing. You develop your academic vocabulary related to your field of study and can utilise key terms in formal writing. You learn the key elements of sentence and paragraph structure in writing and are able to apply this knowledge towards the composition of a writing portfolio. You are able to compose a formal review by the end of the course and are aware of many of the elements which will be needed in further writing tasks, including the thesis.

Content

- The concepts of genre, formality and objectivity, the basics of argumentation and academic integrity in report and essay writing
- Reading strategies
- Paraphrasing, summarising and quoting, and Karelia style guide and reporting instructions
- Embedding visuals and data commentaries
- Presentation skills

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars, literature, writing workshops, independent study and individual tutorials

Completion alternatives

Accreditation of prior learning: If the student has accomplished Academic English (writing and presentation skills) in higher education establishments (universities), s/he can apply for accreditation of prior learning. However, the student has to demonstrate his/her knowledge and skills in Karelia reporting and thesis instructions.

Student workload

16 hours of lectures, workshops and a test before Christmas
6 hours of scheduled text consultation in January
6 hours of seminar presentations in early February
52 hours of independent work (some individual counseling provided)
The total of student's workload is 82h, approximately 2 weeks

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

The written assignments and the test make 60% of the final grade
The spoken presentations make 20% of the final grade
The course requires active participation in exercises and discussions both in class and in the Moodle environment. The impact of continual assessment on the final grade is 20% (+/-1 grade point).

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

The student is not able to produce the required assignments on time. S/he does not observe the academic conventions not follow the principles of academic integrity in his/her written and spoken communication. The text or speech s/he produces is difficult to understand because of serious grammatical, lexical, stylistic or logical errors.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student is able to demonstrate his/her academic skills in English in both written and spoken language at least at the B1.2-B2 levels (CEFR). She follows the reporting instructions of Karelia UAS in his/her writing, including the principles of academic integrity. The texts s/he produces are free from major grammatical, lexical, stylistic and logical errors. S/he is able to plan and deliver a presentation on a topic related to his/her field of study. His/her speech is clear and easy to understand.The student uses feedback to advance his/her skills in English.