academic writing syllabus dip 17a

ACADEMIC WRITING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Module: Academic Writing for Graduate Students

Lecturer: Pham Vu Phi Ho, Ph.D.

Course: Dip 17A

PURPOSE

The purpose of this course is to enhance graduate students writing quality in terms of Academic writing styles. The students will be reviewed several writing genres in both paragraph

and essays writings. Paraphrase and summary writing techniques are introduced. In addition, how

to avoid plagiarism is carefully trained in order to help graduate students keep away from

unexpected mistakes in Academic writing contexts. Different from the research methodology

module, the students will be trained to understand how to write each part of a research study. The

ultimate purpose is to help students improve their writing skills when they conduct their writing

assignments for some course-work or to write up their research studies.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

After learning this course, you gain a broad knowledge of writing skills such as the

organizations of paragraphs and essays, some essential linguistic features for academic writing,

and especially, you learn how to write up a paper for publication for national or international

journals.

RATING RUBRICS FOR THE COURSE:

1. Weekly writing assignment: 20%

2. Peer responses: 10%

3. Presentation: 10%

4. Final Writing Project: 60%

5. Classroom Attendance

Full classroom attendance: 5% (Bonus) First absence: for free (no bonus) Second absence: minus 10% Third absence: minus 20% Forth absence: not eligible to do the writing project 15-minute late can be seen as a half-day-absence

WEEKLY WRITING ASSIGNMENTS (20%)

You are required to write a paragraph or an essay each week or every other week based on

the content of the lecture deliveries. All writing must be in academic writing styles. The writing

papers should include citations and references. APA styles are highly recommended. Your papers

are highly evaluated based of the informative references that you search for. This requires you to

obtain broad reading. In addition, writing at graduate studies always requires students to obtain

critical thinking; hence, most of your writing needs your heuristic skills based on your broad

reading (citations included of course). A writing paper without this feature is not highly evaluated.

Your writing submission is always at the first hour of the class meeting. Hand-writing is

rejected; no late submission is accepted.

PEER RESPONSES (10%)

You are required to work in a group of four during the writing process. After completing

your writing assignment, you need to share your papers with your peers to seek for help.

Meanwhile, you have to read your peers papers and provide comments to help them correct mistakes and word usages, reorganize the ideas, make it in logical order, improve their writing

quality in terms of unity, coherence, and organization, etc. Be aware that, these activities aim at

not only helping your peers to enhance their writing, but also helping yourself to look back your

writing to better it for revision.

Each of you needs to read and provide comments to other three of your group members.

Although these are time-consuming activities, they help you learn from one another and perfect

your writing faster. Your comments are much appreciated if they focus more on the content and

organization of the essays.

PRESENTATION (10%)

Presentations are conducted with group of four or five students. Although the presentations

are kind of group work, the scores will be given to each individual in terms of informative

presentation, good preparation, and delivery techniques. Instead of presenting the topics on the

course-outline, in this course, I require that each group select a research article or I might send to

you for your presentation. The purpose is to help you get accustomed to the template of

international research papers and to provide you good literature review for your research thesis.

FINAL WRITING PROJECT (60%)

At the end of the course, you are required to conduct a research project or discussion of

literature review relating to experience in your teaching profession. The template of the writing

project should be based on the constructing a research paper (Units 7 & 8 in the course-book). It is supposed that you are expected to write a small-scale research paper for publication on a

national or international journal.

In case you are not an instructor to conduct your experimental research, writing literature

review with in-depth arguments and discussion is also accepted. Make sure that you are able to

point out the objectives and argue for your own stance.

Academic writing style is required. Your paper needs to include a thesis statement/ the

purpose of the paper, and every paragraph should have a topic sentence and supporting sentences

to stay focused. In each paragraph of your paper, you need to make sure that you are arguing an

issue (Argumentativeness), or classifying some points of the matter (Classification), or comparing

two points of theories (comparison-contrast), or you want to present some causes of a problem

(Cause-effect). Low academic writing styles lead to low assessments. Grammar errors and poor

sentence structures are also evaluated. You should make use of the Microsoft Office to help you

with those weak points.

Broad reading is highly recommended to include references in your papers. Other books or

empirical studies relating to your topic area should be reviewed to clarify your arguments. Your

writing should be simple, apparent, and consistent from the beginning to the end.

References and in-text citations should be in APA styles. You should use the application of

Microsoft Word 2010 or later to help with APA fifth edition (sixth edition with Word 2013). It is

rather convenient. I will help you with this feature.

CLASSROOM ATTENDANCE

Your duty is to attend every class meeting. You are supposed to be on time. Every 15-minute

late will be counted. You have one day-off for free during the course. The second time of absence

will be counted as 10% minus, the third time as 20% minus. You are not eligible to do the research

project if your absences are more than triple of class meetings. However, in order to acknowledge

your patience in the learning process, if you fully participate in all class meetings without any

lateness or absence, you are rewarded 5% for your final grades.

MODE OF INSTRUCTION (TEACHING METHODS)

Lectures Presentation Providing comments as samples Modelling

COURSE-WORK OUTLINE

WEEK 1: REVIEWS OF PARAGRAPHS AND ESSAYS

Introduction to the course

Introduction to Teaching Academic Writing Methods used by Researcher around the world

Introduction to Benefits of Peer Response Activities

Review of writing paragraphs

Paragraph structures, Unity and coherence

REFERENCES

Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2014). E-peer Response Activities for L2 Writing Revision. ISBN: 978-3-659-

58015-4. Germany: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2015). Phng Php Ging Dy Mn Vit Ting Anh (Sch chuyn kho). Tp. HCM: Nh Xut Bn Kinh T.

Pham Vu Phi Ho & Siriluck Usaha (10 April, 2015). Blog-based Peer Response for L2 Writing

Revision. Computer Assisted Language Learning, pp. 1-25, by the Taylor & Francis

production, DOI: 10.1080/09588221.2015.1026355

Pham, Vu Phi Ho & Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong (2014). The Effectiveness of Peer Feedback on

Graduate Academic Writing at Ho Chi Minh City Open University. Journal of Science HCMC Open University, 2 (10), pp 35-48.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2014). Nhng hn ch trong phng php dy v hc mn vit ti Khoa

Ngoi ng H M tp. HCM. Tp Ch Khoa hc trng i hc M TP.HCM, 5 (38), pp.

91-104.

Pham Vu Phi Ho (2013). Cc Hot ng Dy v Hc Mn Vit ti Khoa Ngoi ng i hc M TP.HCM. Tp Ch Khoa hc trng i hc M TP.HCM, 3 (31), 96-115.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho & Usaha, Siriluck. (2011). The Effectiveness of Blog-based Peer Response for

L2 Writing. Journal of Science HCMC Open University, 3 (3), 27-44.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho & Usaha, S. (2009). Blog-based Peer Response for EFL Writing: A Case Study

in Vietnam. AsiaCall Online Journal, 4(1), 1-29.

WEEK 2: REVIEW OF WRITING PARAGRAPHS

Review of writing paragraphs

Paragraph structures, Unity and coherence

Cause and effects

(Students are required to review most of other genres for their own sake)

REFERENCES:



Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2015). Phng Php Ging Dy Mn Vit Ting Anh (Sch chuyn kho). Tp. HCM: Nh Xut Bn Kinh T.

Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2006). Writing Academic English (4th ed.). New York: Pearson

Education, Inc.

Folse, S. Keith, Muchmore-Vokoun, A., & Solomon, V. Elena (2002). Great Paragraphs An introduction to writing paragraphs (2nd Ed.). Boston: HEINLE CENGAGE Learning.

Folse, S. Keith, Solomon, V. Elena & Clabeaux, David (2010). From Great Paragraphs to

Great Essays (2nd Ed.). Boson: HEINLE CENGAGE Learning.

WEEK 3: REVIEW OF WRITING ESSAYS

Process Essays

Descriptive Essays


REFERENCES


Education, Inc.

Folse, S. Keith, Solomon, V. Elena & Clabeaux, David (2010). Great Writing 3 - fFrom Great

Paragraphs to Great Essays (2nd Ed.). Boson: HEINLE CENGAGE Learning.

Folse, S. Keith, Muchmore-Vokoun, A., & Solomon, V. Elena (2010). Great Writing 4 - Great

Essays (3rd Ed.). Boston: HEINLE CENGAGE Learning.



Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2014). Nhng hn ch trong phng php dy v hc mn vit ti Khoa

Ngoi ng H M tp. HCM. Tp Ch Khoa hc trng i hc M TP.HCM, 5 (38), pp.

91-104.


WEEK 4: REVIEW OF WRITING ESSAYS

Cause / Effects Essays

Argumentative essays


REFERENCES


Education, Inc.

Folse, S. Keith, Solomon, V. Elena & Clabeaux, David (2010). Great Writing 3 - fFrom Great

Paragraphs to Great Essays (2nd Ed.). Boson: HEINLE CENGAGE Learning.

Folse, S. Keith, Muchmore-Vokoun, A., & Solomon, V. Elena (2010). Great Writing 4 - Great

Essays (3rd Ed.). Boston: HEINLE CENGAGE Learning.



Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2014). Nhng hn ch trong phng php dy v hc mn vit ti khoa ngoi

ng H M tp. HCM. Tp Ch Khoa hc trng i hc M TP.HCM, 5 (38), pp. 91-104.


ACADEMIC WRITING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

WEEK 5

Plagiarism

Avoiding plagiarism

Citations and references

APA writing styles

REFERENCES

Swales, J. M., & Peak, C. B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students -Essential Tasks

and Skills (3rd Ed.). Michigan: The University of Michigan Press.

Bailey, S. (2011). Academic Writing - A Handbook for International Students (3rd ed.). New

York: Routledge.

Bowker, N. (Editor) (2007). Academic Writing A Guide to Tertiary Level Writing. Palmerston North: Massey University.


Education, Inc.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2015). Steps to conduct your research. HCMC: NXB Giao Duc (in process).

WEEK 6

Writing summaries

Writing paraphrases

Practices

REFERENCES



Bailey, S. (2011). Academic Writing - A Handbook for International Students (3rd ed.). New

York: Routledge.

Bowker, N. (Editor) (2007). Academic Writing A Guide to Tertiary Level Writing. Palmerston North: Massey University.


Education, Inc.


WEEK 7

Writing Critiques

REFERENCES





WEEK 8

Review of writing summaries

Writing an abstract

REFERENCES




WEEK 9

Writing an introduction to a research study

REFERENCES






WEEK 10

Writing a review of related literature

REFERENCES






WEEK 11

Data Commentary

REFERENCES






WEEK 12

Constructing a research paper

REFERENES




Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2013). The Effectiveness of a Thesis Writing Seminar for Graduate Students

at Ho Chi Minh City Open University. Journal of Science HCMC Open University, (ISSN

1859 - 3453), 1 (6), 46 - 56.

INSTRUCTORS PUBLICATIONS AND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

(BIBLIOGRAPHIES)

PUBLICATIONS:

Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2015). Phng Php Ging Dy Mn Vit Ting Anh. Tp. HCM: Nh Xut

Bn Kinh T.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho & Pham, Ngoc Thuy Duong (2015). Common Errors in Writing Journals of

The English-Major Students at HCMC Open University. Journal of Science HCMC Open

University, (ISSN 1859 - 3453), June 2015.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho & Siriluck Usaha (10 April, 2015). Blog-based Peer Response for L2 Writing

Revision. Computer Assisted Language Learning, pp. 1-25, by the Taylor & Francis

production, DOI: 10.1080/09588221.2015.1026355

Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2015). Steps to conduct your research A practical guideline to educational

research. Passed the final defense on 23 December, 2014 by the committee members at

HCMC Open University, and in the process of publication by HCMC Open University, Ho

Chi Minh City: Vietnam.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2014). E-peer Response Activities for L2 Writing Revision. ISBN: 978-3-

659-58015-4. Germany: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.

Pham Vu Phi Ho & Nguyen The Binh (2014). The Effects of Communicative Grammar

Teaching on Students Achievement of Grammatical Knowledge and Oral Production.

English Language Teaching (ELT), 7 (6), pp. 74-86, Jun. 2014, ISSN 1916-4742, E-ISSN

1916-4750. http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt/issue/view/1079

Pham, Vu Phi Ho & Nguyen Hoai Minh (2014). Evaluation of the course-book Steps to

conduct your research designed and employed at the Faculty of Foreign Languages of HCM

Open University. Journal of Science HCMC Open University, (ISSN 1859 - 3453), 1 (9),

pp. 39-53.


Graduate Academic Writing at Ho Chi Minh City Open University. Journal of Science

HCMC Open University, (ISSN 1859 - 3453), 2 (10), pp 35-48.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho & Nguyen Hai Long (2014). The impacts of task-based speaking activities on

English-majored freshmens oral performance at Ba Ria-Vung Tau Teacher Training

College. Journal of Science HCMC Open University, (ISSN 1859 - 3453), 3 (11), 2014, pp

71 82.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2014). Keep efforts to success (Lun N Lc Vn Ti Thnh Cng).

Samples of Researchers (Tm Gng Ngi Lm Khoa Hc), 8, Tr. 180-193. Trung tm

truyn thng, Lin Hip cc Hi khoa hc k thut Vit Nam. Nh Xut Bn Vn Ha

Thng Tin.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2014). Limitations in methods of teaching/learning academic writing at the

Faculty of Foreign Languages at HCMC Open University (Nhng hn ch trong phng

php dy v hc mn vit ti khoa ngoi ng H M tp. HCM). Tp Ch Khoa hc trng

i hc M TP.HCM, 5 (38), pp. 91-104.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho (2013). The Effectiveness of a Thesis Writing Seminar for Graduate Students

at Ho Chi Minh City Open University. Journal of Science HCMC Open University, (ISSN

1859 - 3453), 1 (6), 46 - 56.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho & Phu Thi Kieu Bui (2013). Senior Students Reports on Their Translation

and Interpretation Abilities, Teaching Methods, and Curriculum at Ho Chi Minh City Open

University. Journal of Science HCMC Open University, (ISSN 1859 - 3453), 1 (6), 68 - 77.

Pham Vu Phi Ho (2013). Teaching and learning activities employed in the Academic writing

classrooms at the Faculty of Foreign Languages at HCMC Open University (Cc Hot ng

Dy v Hc Mn Vit ti Khoa Ngoi ng i hc M TP.HCM). Tp Ch Khoa hc trng

i hc M TP.HCM, 3 (31), 96-115.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho & Usaha, Siriluck. (2011). The Effectiveness of Blog-based Peer Response for

L2 Writing. Journal of Science HCMC Open University, (ISSN 1859 - 3453), 3 (3), 27-44.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho (Ed.) (2010). The Gift of the Magi Mon Qua Cua Nhung Nguoi Khon

Ngoan. Nha Xuat Ban Lao Dong: Ho Chi Minh City.

Pham, Vu Phi Ho & Usaha, Siriluck. (2009). Blog-based peer response for EFL writing: A Case

study in Vietnam. AsiaCALL Online Journal, (ISSN 1936-9859) 4 (1), 1-29.

PHD EXAMINER AND MA DEGREE SUPERVISIONS & ACADEMIC

AFFAIRS

PhD examiner: February 3, 2015 March 19, 2015: PhD examiner of the thesis entitled

Exploring Indonesian learners' beliefs about language learning strategies through reflection,

submitted by Mr Bambang Widi Pratolo, for the degree of PhD. Monash University, Austrralia.

PhD Thesis Proposal Committee member: October 06, 2014: Served as an external committee

member for a PhD Thesis Proposal Defense entitled, The Impact of an Enhanced Social

Networking Environment on the Development of English Writing Skills of Thai University

Students proposed by Suchada Chaiwiwatrakul, PhD Candidate of Suranaree University of

Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

PhD Examiner: July 10, 2013 September 5, 2013: PhD examiner of the thesis entitled The

milieu of oral English assessment in Malaysia: processes and challenges submitted by Ms

Azleena Mohamad, a candidate for the degree of PhD. at Monash University, Australia.

2013: was invited as a committee member of The University of Pedagogy, Ho Chi Minh City, in

the Ministry of Education & Training project to evaluate the proposals for running the Faculties

of Foreign Languages of University of Economics, University of Economics and Finance, and

University of Food Technology in Ho Chi Minh City.

2010 present: being a committee member of a number of MA Thesis defenses.

2012 2014: Supervised 12 MA students who have successfully passed their thesis defenses.

academic writing syllabus dip 17a

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