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Course Title

BASIC WRITING

Course Code

WRIT230135

Credit

3

Equivalent Course

Grammar 1 |
| Grammar 2 |
| Writing 1 |
| Writing 2

Prerequisite

None

Coordinator

Hoa T. Truong, MA

Program Level

Bachelor’s

Program

TESOL Studies
Translation and Interpretation
Business English

Instruction Language

English

Applicable for TESOL Program

From 2018

Requirement in TESOL Program

Compulsory

Semester in TESOL Program

1

Applicable for Translation & Interpretation Program

From 2018

Requirement in Translation & Interpretation Program

Compulsory

Semester in Translation & Interpretation Program

1

Requirement in Business English Program

Compulsory

Applicable for Business English Program

From 2018-2019

Semester in Business English Program

1

Overview

This course is designed for English majored students to achieve pre-intermediate level to low intermediate level (equivalent to A2+ to B1­-– CEFR) in writing. The course provides students with practice in writing good sentences and different types of paragraphs. With regard to good sentence writing, students are given ample practice in sentence structures, grammar issue, capitalization and punctuation which are related to sentence skills in order to help students avoid common sentence problems and build sentences in a logical and grammatically correct manner. With regard to paragraph writing, each unit enables students to fully understand the organization of a complete paragraph, which consists of a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence. Also, students will be guided through a sequence of steps that helps students learn how to write a well-structured paragraph as well as different types of paragraphs namely Process Paragraph, Descriptive Paragraph, and Opinion Paragraph. At the end of the course, students are expected not only to improve their writing skill but also obtain some necessary study skills to promote learner’s autonomy as well as other soft skills of presentation, communication and teamwork which are essential in the future career.

Objectives

Goals

Goal Description

(Students are provided with)

G1

Knowledge of types of basic sentences in English, common writing mistakes, punctuation and capitalization;

Knowledge of academic paragraph organization, function of each part as well as unity and coherence;

Knowledge of different types of paragraph development.

G2

Ability to write free-error sentences based on types and topics, and accurately use punctuation and capitalization in English writing;

Ability to use language properly for various types of paragraphs;

Ability to write academic paragraphs including descriptive paragraph, process paragraph and opinion paragraph.

G3

Teamwork skills, presentation skills and self-study skills.

Learning Outcomes

Goals

Goal Description

(Students are provided with)

G1
  • Identify types of basic sentences: simple sentence, compound sentence, complex sentence and compound-complex sentence;
  • Explain how to use punctuation and capitalization;
  • Identify common writing mistakes: run-ons (fused sentence, comma splice), fragments, and modifiers (misplaced modifier, dangling modifier);
  • Identify steps to write an academic paragraph;
  • Summarise the function of each part in an academic paragraph: topic sentence, supporting sentences and concluding sentence;
  • Explain the importance of unity and coherence;
  • Distinguish types of paragraphs: description, process and opinion.

G2
  • Compose good sentences in accordance with topics and writing genres;
  • Effectively use punctuation and capitalization in English writing;
  • Avoid common mistakes related to sentence structures and punctuation (run-ons, fragments and modifiers);
  • Employ the writing process to produce a complete paragraph with unity and coherence;
  • Skillfully write a descriptive paragraph;
  • Skillfully write a process paragraph;
  • Skillfully write an opinion paragraph.

G3
  • Develop teamwork skills through working together and sharing ideas through collaborative activities and peer feedback to consolidate grammar, vocabulary and expressions;
  • Enhance presentation skills;
  • Self-improve study skills and writing skills.

 

Materials

Textbooks

Folse, K. S., Muchmore-Vokoun, A., & Solomon, E. V. (2014). Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs. Fourth edition. Boston: Cengage Learning.

References

Kirszner, L. G. & Mandell, S. R. (2008). Writing First with Readings: Practice in Context. Fourth edition. New York: Bedford/Saint Martin's.

Cheryl, P. & Margaret, K. S. (2007). Interactions 1 - Writing, Silver edition. New York: McGraw Hill.

Hogue, A. (2008). First Steps in Academic Writing. Second edition. London: Pearson Longman.

Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2007). Introduction to Academic Writing. Third edition. London: Person Longman.

John, L. (2008). College Writing Skills. Seventh edition. New York: McGraw.Hill.

Salomone, W. & Mc. Donald, S. (2011). Inside Writing: a writer’s workbook. Seven ed.  Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Zemach, E. D. & Islam, C. (2005). Paragraph Writing:  from Sentence  to Paragraph. Oxford: Macmillan Education.

Savage, A., & Mayer, P. (2006).Effective Academic Writing 1: The Paragraph. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Online Resources

www.buowl.boun.edu.tr/students/Paragraph%20Writing%20Exercises.htm
http://esl.about.com/od/writingintermediate/a/parapraphs.htm
http://autumntensa.jimdo.com/download/557228310/writing+Academic+paragraph+0 2.pdf

Assessment

Students are assessed for their performance in the following components:

Assessment

Percentage

Class participation and group work

10%

Home assignments

10%

On-going assessment tests

30%

Final Exam

50%
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