English composition 1/ENGA100 OERu course specification

=Part A: Course specification=

Metadata

 * OERu course name: English for academic writing / English composition 1
 * Level: 1st year Bachelor's degree level
 * Notional learning hours: 120
 * Micro-courses (Three micro-courses of 40 hours each)
 * The process of writing (ENGA101)
 * Writing for academic purposes (ENGA102)
 * Insert micro-course name here (ENGA103)
 * OERu course codes: ENGA101, ENGA102, ENGA103
 * OERu assessing institutions: Thomas Edison State University
 * Micro-credential options: No
 * OERu mode of study: Self-directed study or cohort-based independent study with peer-learning support.

Course aim
Develop appropriate processes, style and method to produce clear and effective academic writing

Indicative content

 * Description of a problem, explanation of a solution and evaluation of outcome
 * Proper conventions of written English (Grammar, mechanics, style, spelling, punctuation)
 * Sentence anatomy
 * Writing types
 * Product-based versus process-based writing
 * PWR method (pre-writing, writing and revising)
 * What is academic writing
 * Effective thesis statement
 * Building strong arguments
 * Using Rogerian persuasive arguments
 * Supporting arguments
 * Rhetorical strategies
 * Sourcing appropriate evidence
 * Determining credible sources
 * Quoting, paraphrasing and plagiarism
 * Citation styles
 * The revision process
 * Applying the most appropriate voice, tone and persona

Pre-requisites

 * Learners whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English as indicated by a Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 on the written version; 213 on the computer version; or 79 on the Internet based version.

=Part B: Detailed objectives=

Micro-course structure
Writing for academic purposes comprises four micro-courses.

Learning objectives

 * Distinguish between different theories of writing.
 * Identify the various elements that inform writing (e.g. audience, purpose, context, media).
 * Recognise and apply the three steps in the PWR (pre-writing, writing, and revision) method.
 * Understand how a sentence is constructed.
 * Apply the most appropriate voice, tone and persona in your writing.

Learning objectives

 * Distinguish between other types of writing and academic writing.
 * Write effective thesis statements.
 * Develop successful arguments to defend the thesis.
 * Apply Rogerian persuasive arguments to convince readers of the point of view.
 * Employ other rhetorical strategies to defend arguments.

Learning objectives

 * Use published academic work of others to support arguments
 * Locate and evaluate credible sources.
 * Avoid plagiarism through the proper use of quotations and paraphrasing.
 * Properly source academic works chosen to support arguments.
 * Correctly apply different referencing and citation styles.

Learning objectives

 * Understand the proper anatomy of a sentence.
 * Identify the steps involved in revising academic texts successfully.
 * Apply various editing techniques.
 * Revise writing for more effective academic argument and justification.

Course links (if available)

 * Planning page
 * Course materials