Academic Writing - Einzelansicht

 This course is aimed at students with a high proficiency level of English (B2-C2) who are striving towards more accuracy and coherency in their writing as well as the ability to express themselves competently in the academic context. 

Over the course of the semester we will be focusing on the following topics: 

• identifying the types and purposes of academic texts

• punctuation and clearly defined sentences; compound sentences and avoiding run-on sentences

• syntax (sentence structure): identifying the parts of a sentence, restructuring for accentuation, placement of modifiers

• register and synonym choice; use of verb phrase vs. noun phrase 

• brevity and cohesion in a paragraph, use of linking and transition words, omission of unnessary words 

• tense, aspect and voice; infinitive vs. gerund, clause constructions

• expression of statistical evidence

• objectivity vs. subjectivity

• editing

• quotation, referencing and how to avoid plagiarism 

• presenting criticism 

• bibliography 

In order to receive credit for this course you are obligated to hand in a final piece of writing. As a class we will decide on three current and appropriate topics (i.e. dealing with social problems during the COVID crisis) for this assignment. You will choose one of these topics and write a 4-page essay (Teilnahmeleistung) based on information collected from current journal articles. You will demonstrate that you can express yourself clearly, fairly and critically about this topic and apply the writing skills we have worked on throughout the semester.