English at academic level 15-JANPA-ZU

The main goal of this outline lecture is to systematise MA students' knowledge about the properties of academic expression and research genres in English. Special emphasis is placed on the MA thesis as an academic genre.

Main Topics:
1. Introduction to EAP writing and to academic positioning.
2. Academic language.
3. MA thesis organisation models. Disciplinary specialisation.
4. Theory chapter organisation. Working with sources. Plagiarism.
5. Methodology descriptions.
6. Presenting, discussing and commenting on data, examples and quotations.
7. Introductions and conclusions.

Specific aims and priorities:
1. Consistently portray MA Thesis as an argument (i.e. as a form of an argumentative essay), rather than an expository or balanced ‘for-and-against’ essay, a compilation of citations etc.;
2. Teach academic text organisation, in accordance with recommended, widely applicable rhetorical models and in keeping with WA BA/MA thesis organisation;
3. Develop / enhance students' ability to integrate sources into their argument;
4. Alert to proper documentation of sources (WA Stylesheet and Template conformity);
5. Propagate and facilitate construction of strong and logical academic argumentation - based on properly selected and highlighted evidence;
6. Propagate and practise the use of ‘proper’ academic style - maintaining proper balance between:
a) effective use of concepts + nominalisation + objectification
b) appropriate use of evaluative language and sign-posting ("metalanguage")
c) own "voice" vis-a-vis information or evidence from external sources and / or rsearch findings
d) etc.;
7. Emphasise the role of revision in the writing of successful academic texts.