Instructor(s)

Course Description 

Introduction to and application of key principles of effective and efficient academic writing. This course will provide key techniques, guidelines and suggestions to improve your academic written communication. It will give hands-on experience in drafting, organising and revising academic texts. 

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Understand the elements of writing
2. Develop skills in managing information sources, summarising, paraphrasing, quoting, citation and referencing
3. Demonstrate knowledge of organising and revising academic papers

Course Content

Topics

1. Planning the Writing: Understand Titles and Plan the Writing Process Writing Structure 
2. Reading - Literature review: Finding suitable Sources, Developing Critical Approaches, Avoiding Plagiarism
3. Elements of Writing: Argument and Discussion, Cause and Effect, Cohesion, Comparisons, Definitions, Examples, Generalisation, Problems and Solutions 
4. Writing Vocabulary and language (precision, clarity, conciseness, academic vocabulary, word choice
5. Managing the Sources: Finding relevant information, Note taking, Primary and secondary 
6. Summarising and Paraphrasing: Purpose and content of summary, Stages of summarizing, Effective paraphrasing, Paraphrasing techniques 
7. Organising Paragraphs: Paragraph structure - Development of ideas Language, Introducing paragraphs, Linking paragraphs
8. References and Quotations: Purpose of references and citation, Main reference system, Use of quotations, Organising the references. Turabian and Harvard styles.
9. Writing about Methodology and Results Structure, Vocabulary and Examples for Methodology and Results 
10. Structure of academic paper (organising the document, transition, data implementation and display)
11. Introduction and Discussion/Conclusion: Contents and Structure of Introductions, Discussion and Conclusions
12. Visual information: Types of visual presentation, Functions and Principles of Visuals, Making the right choice, Creating the best design, Describing visuals and labelling
13. Actual writing process: Getting ready, first draft, Revising, Rewriting and Proofreading, Review
14. Abstract and Title Structure, Purpose, Qualities of an Abstract Purpose and Qualities of Titles 

Mode of Delivery 

Lecture, Small group teaching, Tutorials, Independent study and Field Practice

Reading Materials 

1. Ann Hogue (2008). First Steps in Academic Writing. London: Pearson. 
2. John M. Swales and Christine B. Feak (1994). Academic Writing for Graduate Students. Ann Arbor, MI.: University of Michigan Press.
3. Michael Harvey (2003). The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing. Indianapolis, IN.: Hackett. 
4. Rowena Murray and Sarah Moore (2006). The Handbook of Academic Writing. New York, NY.: McGraw Hill. 
5. Turabian, K. L. (2018). A manual for writers of term papers, theses and dissertation. 9th Ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
6. Winifred Belmont and Michael Sharkey (2011). The Easy Writer: Formal Writing for Academic Purposes. London: Pearson.

Evaluation of Student Performance

Grading System

Letter Grade Mark% (Credit Points)

A 80-100 (4.0): Excellent

B+ 75-79 (3.5): Very Good

B 70-74 (3.0): Good

C+ 65-69 (2.5): Satisfactory

F Below 65 (0.0): Fail

Assessment

Students will be assessed in a variety of ways, including examinations, quizzes, take-home assignments, term papers, participation in classes and seminars, field reports, video-recorded demonstrations, etc.

Distribution of the Marks

• Examination (End of course/semester): 60%
• Course work, continuous assessment and attendance: 40%

Class Attendance

For Campus students and those receiving lectures via Zoom, due to the concentrated nature of the lectures, three unexcused class absence will reduce final grade by a letter grade. A 4^th unexcused absence will result in an additional research assignment required for a passing grade. A 5^th unexcused absence will result in a failing grade.

Writing Guidelines

All research papers and theses are to follow: (i) Kate L. Turabian A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations OR (ii) American Psychological Association (APA) Style.

1. Font & Font Size: Times New Roman, 12 point

2. Double space

3. 1-inch margins (File – Page Setup – Margins)

4. Indent paragraphs 0.5 inch (Format– Paragraph – Indent left)

5. Page numbers – lower center or upper right –beginning with the first page of text, but not on title page; Arabic numbers only (e.g., 1, 2; not Roman numerals); no other header or footer

6. Title page; then title again on page one (for formal papers)

7. In essay-type papers, ALWAYS write logically, persuasively, focused on the assigned topic; include a succinct introduction that informs the reader concerning the subject of your paper, and a succinct conclusion that summarizes your main points and expresses your resulting conclusion.

8. Use footnotes rather than endnotes, except in dissertation/thesis, where section endnotes are also acceptable.

9. All work should be proofread, as errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax will reduce assignment grade.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is against Daniel Institute policy, and any act of plagiarism will result in disciplinary action up to student dismissal from further study at Daniel Institute. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to quoting materials without proper citing or reference, cutting and pasting of online and other materials requires proper citing via quotation marks and footnote.

Final Examination

The final exam will consist of short answer questions as well as semi-essay questions. The reading and the classes are your means of preparation.

For candidates writing their examinations outside the main Daniel Institute campus, a proctor will be required. A proctor is a person who oversees an exam. He or she will typically verify a student’s identity by checking a photo ID and then ensures academic integrity guidelines are followed during the exam. The exam will be mailed to the proctor in PDF format. The proctor will need to print your exam, and preferably have access to a scanner to submit your exam. 3. When you have completed your exam, your proctor may either 1) scan and upload your exam to the DI Learning platform or mail to the relevant address provided. This format requires you handwrite your responses on the exam itself.

Submitting Assignments

Assignments can be submitted electronically through the Drop Box tool in Triport (or any other means endorsed by the lecturer). Paper submissions should be in either .doc, .docx or .pdf format. Submitting your work through drop box (or any other means prescribed by the lecturer) is considered a formal (and final) submission. Assignments may be returned to you electronically, in most cases via email. If your assignment was graded by hand, it will be scanned and delivered to you as a PDF file. Remember to use a full heading, including your name, professor, course, and date.

Biblical references

Always give biblical references in the text of your paper. For example, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” (John 1:1; NRSV) Include the translation only if you are quoting a scripture that is different than NIV. For example, John pointed men to the Messiah (John 1:7).

Essay and Term Paper Cover Format

All essays and term paper must start with the required cover format. A single page number starts on the first page of the paper on the right side of the upper header.