Course

OPEN ELECTIVES-UG (Arts , Humanities and Commerce)

Unit 1

Introduction to Academic Writing. Define English for academic purposes. Difference between listening, reading, writing, and speaking in everyday situations and in academic contexts. Listening, reading, writing, and speaking in academic contexts.

Activities:

1. Various academic and non-academic/everyday situations are given to the students, and they are expected to indulge in conversations/communication in each specific situation. This activity would bring out how the nature of communication (style, tone, choice of words, perspective, flow, logic, opinions, personal dynamics etc.) differs in each situation and how the demands of each situation are different.
2. A writing task based on different contexts (academic, non-academic, casual, formal, informal, official, personal etc.) could be given. Analyse how do you differentiate between fact and opinion? What is the purpose of the communication? What is your tone? Is it appropriate? Are there assumptions and generalizations? Is there logic? Is it effective?

Unit 2

Strategies for active reading & comprehension – identifying main ideas and making inferences. Differentiate between fact and opinion – identifying the purpose, argument, tone, bias, generalizations, and errors in reasoning. Make notes and summarize the main arguments, evaluate, and present the information.

Activities:

1. Various articles (business, entertainment, news, blogs, etc.) would be given to students as sample assignments. Students will analyse the articles and express their understanding of the content. Develop an academic vocabulary. Identify the problems in the comprehension of academic discourses.
2. Read a text and answer – factual and inferential questions, evaluate an argument, what are the main ideas? Is the argument sound? is the author biased? Is the tone & style of the author appropriate? Does the author make any generalizations? Any errors in logical reasoning?

Unit 3

Purpose and features of academic writing – planning, organizing information – paraphrasing and summarizing information – use of references, quotations, definitions, examples, visual representations – writing introduction, development of ideas, core arguments, conclusions – re- writing and proof reading – ensuring cohesion, logical reasoning, academic style, academic vocabulary.

Activities:

1. Draft an essay – ensure that all the vital elements of academic writing are properly followed in the
2. Design a survey questionnaire – Apply every aspect of effective reading, comprehension and writing in the exercise.

Unit 4

Academic integrity, avoiding plagiarism (intended/unintended), guidelines on paraphrasing, incorporating information from various sources, acknowledging/citing original sources of information and ideas. Ethical values of trust, respect, fairness, and honesty in academic writing.

Activities:

1. Read a text, identify and evaluate internet sources and other resources used to prepare the write-up. Identify the unacknowledged sources and materials. Prepare a report on plagiarism. Discuss how it affects the academic and ethical integrity of the author.

Unit 5

Draft reports – survey, assessment, lecture, events, etc., study materials, questionnaires, digital content for specific academic purposes. Discussions and critical evaluation of the written documents.

Activities:

1. Prepare reports on socially/academically relevant topics. Evaluate the reports and engage in constructive criticism and discussions and suggest revisions.

Course Objectives:

To improve the English language skills for academic purposes. To make students familiar with academic style and presentation in writing. To produce good academic content.

Course Outcomes:

CO1: Identify relevant information from academic discourses.

CO2: Apply strategies of active reading and comprehension.

CO3: Develop clear, coherent and engaging content for specific academic purposes.

CO4: Write different types of academic content in English.

CO5: Evaluate academic reports

CO-PO MAPPING:

Evaluation Pattern:

CORE READING:

1. Swales, John M, Feak, Christine B. – Academic Writing for Graduate Students. 3rd Ed. – The University of Michigan Press
2. Silvia, Paul – How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing – American Psychological Association
3. Bailey, Stephen – Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students, Fifth – Routledge
4. Savage Alice – Effective Academic Writing – Oxford University Press
5. Raman, Usha – Writing for the Media – Oxford University Press

SUGESTED READING:

1. Garrand, Timothy – Writing for Multimedia and the Web: A Practical Guide to Content Development for Interactive Media – Routledge
2. Lincoln, Jeremy – Create Passive Income with Digital Content: Accumulate $100 in Writing, Music, Photos, Illustrations, Videos, Cartoons and Apps – Jeremy Lincoln
3. Wallwork, Adrian – English for Academic Research: Writing 2nd Ed. – English for Academic Research Series