Minor English: Grammar and Writing I

Course Objective

After successfully completing this course you will have knowledge of and insight into the language which typifies academic writing in English and into English requirements of text structure, as well as into how these aspects are different from other languages. You have knowledge of and insight into the most important aspects of English grammar, particularly those which typically cause students problems when writing formal English.

You will also be able to write a well-structured English text in a formal style about a subject related to your own study programme, free of serious lexical and grammatical error which would have an adverse effect on the readability of the text. You will have greater insight into the strengths and weaknesses of your English writing skills, and knowledge of how to further develop your strengths and reduce your weaknesses.

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 for the problems that students typically have when writing formal English.

Additional Information 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 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). Effective Writing 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.

Additional Information Target Audience

Bachelor students across the university who want to improve their written English in an academic context; the course is not open for students who have done academic English in their academic core. The course is part of the Minor Engels/Minor in English but can also be followed separately.

Additional Information

Attendance is obligatory (80% minimum). If you miss more classes, you may still be allowed to finish the course if you submit an alternative
assignment, 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.