SSST - English – Intermediate Writing 1

English – Intermediate Writing 1

Foreign Languages

Programme(s) where module is offered

None

Status (core, option, free choice)

Main supplementary course

FHEQ Level

Unit Value

4 ECTS

Semester taught

Autumn

Pre-Requisite Modules or Qualifications

LANG 102,112,122

Module Code

LANG 221E

Module coordinator

Professor

Applicable From

2016

Educational Aims of the Module

Upon completing this course, students will be able to produce a coherent and reasonably fluent essay in English, in the genres covered during the course (process, argumentative etc).
This will be complemented by an overview of common grammatical problem areas for intermediate writers, such as the use of complex and compound sentences, articles etc.
This course is thus aimed at improving the students’ writing skills as well as their overall proficiency in English comprehension (reception) and expression (production).

Module Outline/Syllabus

Essay outlining and Brainstorming techniques
Introductory paragraphs – What to write when introducing an essay? Outlining and Introductions assignment (5%)
Thesis Statements- Topic, Controlling idea. Common pitfalls. Introductions assignment (5%)
Referencing – Introductions and Referencing methods – Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarising. Practical applications.
Referencing practice, Referencing Styles.
Body paragraphs – Supporting your arguments based on the Thesis Statement. Topic and concluding sentences.
Concluding paragraphs – Summarizing, restating, commenting. Conclusions assignment (5%)
Process Essays – Chronological forms. Transition signals for a chronological essay. Applications in practice. Essay 1 (15%) assigned.
Development of ideas. Transitional signals practice – coordinators, subordinators, sentence transitions.
Argumentative Essays – Organization. Focusing the Thesis Statement. Objectivity. Essay 2 (15%) assigned.
Verbs for referring to sources. Indirect speech.
Review / AOB

Student Engagement Hours

Type	Number per Term	Duration	Total Time
Lectures	30	2 hours	60 hours
Tutorials	15	2 hours	30 hours
Total Guided/Independent Learning Hours			110
Total Contact Hours			30
Total Engagement Hours			200

Assessment Method Summary

Type	Number Required	Duration / Length	Weighting	Timing / Submission Deadline
Final exam	1	180 minutes	50%	End of semester
Mid-term exam	1	90 minutes	15%	Week 10
Project (group)	1	2,500 words	15%	Week 15
Test	2	90 minutes	20%	Weeks 4 and 13

Module Outcomes

Teaching and Learning Strategy:

Lectures provide core information on specific topics (ILO: 1, 2, 5)
Lectures provide core information on specific topics (ILO: 1, 2, 5)
Lectures provide core information on specific topics (ILO: 1, 2, 5)
Lectures provide core information on specific topics (ILO: 1, 2, 5)

Assessment Strategy

Lectures provide core information on specific topics (ILO: 1, 2, 5)
Lectures provide core information on specific topics (ILO: 1, 2, 5)
Lectures provide core information on specific topics (ILO: 1, 2, 5)
Lectures provide core information on specific topics (ILO: 1, 2, 5)

Key Texts and/or other learning materials

Set text

Oshima, A. and Hogue, A. (2006). Writing Academic English (4th ed.). NY: Longman Pearson.
Belmont, W. and Sharkey, M. (2006).The Easy Writer. Formal Writing for Academic Purposes. Australia: Pearson Education.

Supplementary Materials

Handouts prepared specifically for the course, which will be drawn from:
- English Language websites
- English grammars and other EFL books
- Articles from relevant journals and newspapers for comprehension and analysis, including The Economist, The Guardian etc

Please note

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the module and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module and programme can be found in the departmental or programme handbook.

The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by the University of Buckingham and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.

Date of Production : Autumn 2016

Date approved by School Learning and Teaching Committee: 28th September 2016

Date approved by School Board of Study : 12th October 2016

Date approved by University Learning and Teaching Committee: 2nd November 2016

Date of Annual Review: December 2017

SSST Subjects