Minor English: Grammar and Writing 1

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_ETBAALG007

Course Objective

After successfully completing this course you will have knowledge of and insight into
- the language which typifies academic writing in English and English requirements of text structure, as well as into how these aspects are different from other languages. -the most important aspects of English grammar, particularly those which typically cause students problems when writing formal English. -the strengths and weaknesses of your own English writing skills. After successfully completing this course you will be able to -write and edit well-structured text in clear, cohesive and formal academic English.
- develop the strengths and reduce the weaknesses in your own writing.

Course Content

The course consists of a writing and a grammar component. In the writing component of the course the emphasis is on (a) identifying the paragraph structures, sentence structures and kind of language used across a range of academic texts in all kinds of disciplines, and (b) getting to grips with the basic problems involved in writing good, formal English (e.g. differences between English and Dutch/other languages, the essentials of English punctuation, formal style). The grammar component consists of a practical introduction to basic aspects of the grammar of contemporary English, with special attention on the problems that students typically have when writing formal English.

Teaching Methods

For the writing component: 1 hr per week lecture; 2 hrs per week seminar. For the grammar component: 1 hr per week lecture; 2 hrs per week seminar.

Method of Assessment

(i) a series of writing assignments on a subject related to the student's own discipline (50%); (ii) a multiple choice computer test on grammar (50%). In order to pass the course, you need a 5.5 minimum for each component.

Literature

For the writing component: Hannay, M. & J.L. Mackenzie (2017). EffectiveWriting in English. 3rd edition. Bussum: Coutinho.Materials for the grammar component will be announced at a later stage.Additional materials will be made available on Canvas.

Target Audience

Bachelor students across the university who want to improve theirwritten English in an academic context; the course is not open forstudents who have done academic English in their academic core. Thecourse is part of the Minor Engels/Minor in English but can also befollowed separately.

Additional Information

Attendance is obligatory (80% minimum). If you miss more classes, youmay still be allowed to finish the course if you submit an alternativeassignment, but only if you’ve attended 70% of the classes. Note that this is an English writing course rather than simply a writing skills course. The assumption is that participants have already successfully completed an academic skills course in their first or second year of university study.

Recommended background knowledge

At least one year of university study, including experience in writing academic text; premaster students may also follow this course as long as they have completed an academic skills course.