Students will develop their ability to read critically, and to present a sophisticated argument in writing, using the register, voice and level of formality appropriate to the context and purpose. The drafting, revising, and editing processes will occur both individually (through a series of conferences with the instructor), and as a group (in workshop format). The course centres on the writing of a research paper, and covers the development of a topic proposal, selection and citation of sources, literature review and thesis development as well as revision and editing. The use of library resources and other research facilities will also be covered.

Students will be required to produce various in-class and out-of-class writing assignments including a topic proposal, a detailed outline, critical summaries, a literature review, an annotated bibliography, and a critically argued, fully sourced and edited 2000-word research paper.

Students will learn to write a well-organized and error-free argumentative research paper. By the end of the course students will be able to:

Grammar
            Write sophisticated as well as grammatically and idiomatically correct English prose

Reading
             Read to comprehend increasingly complex material
             Read and think critically

Vocabulary
              Expand vocabulary through reading and writing
              Develop subject specific terminology through reading and writing

Rhetoric
             Write well-organized essays, focusing specifically on argumentative essays
             Write a strong and developed thesis statement with supporting arguments
             Think, read, write critically for an academic audience
              Write a developed outline
              Paraphrase and summarize
             Cite and write using documentation
             Write a fully documented research paper

Research and sourcing (can be covered by a librarian in one or more workshops in the library)
                Be familiar with research and information literacy skills including                      
                        - A reinforcement of searching skills: catalog, database, and web sourcing
                         - Source evaluation
                         - Subject searching
                         - Utilize MLA style for all aspects of a research paper
                         - Understand how to avoid plagiarism

Attendance is compulsory for this course. In cases of unavoidable absence, it is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed and to come to the next class fully prepared. The final exam period runs until the end of the week after the last day of class.

Late submission will result in grade reduction and assignments will no longer be accepted if more than one week late.

Repeated absences will lead to a lower grade. Three late arrivals will be counted as one absence. At five absences, the student will be asked to drop the course. 

In the case of illness, a doctor’s note is required or the absence is unexcused. If you are seriously ill and will be out for more than one class, please contact the professor via email.

Please note that the schedule is tentative and subject to change. There will be numerous readings assigned throughout the semester both in and out of class, each connected to the topic for that week. Moodle much better reflects the definitive schedule for this class each semester.

The academic writing activities will be accompanied with weekly readings and homework assignments to be emailed within the set deadline. During the course there will be in-class and homework assignments which will contribute towards your final course result. A mid-term exam will also be included, the date of which will be established and communicated to you.

Week 1

Introductions and the syllabus; mutual expectations; assessment requirements

Week 2

Preliminary research and writing task – a basic argumentative topic. Developing, substantiating and arguing for your own ideas

Week 3

What constitutes a valid argument? Authority, logic, appeal to emotion (ethos, logos, pathos). Can an argument be ‘won’?

Week 4

Reading and inquiry; exploring issues and generating ideas. Editing: simplifying, clarifying, punctuating, checking spelling and grammar

Week 5

Introduction to the research paper. What is it? Finding something to write about. Formulating a preliminary research question

Week 6

Value-laden vs neutral language. Using sources and looking at bias; persuading a resistant audience; Rogerian Argumentation

Week 7

Mid term exam

Week 8

Research topic. Presenting ideas and discussion of viability. Narrowing the focus on the topic.

Week 9

Backing up your argument with sources; why academic sources are important; keeping a working bibliography; using the MLA Handbook; citation exercises; avoiding plagiarism

Week 10

First Draft of Research paper due (including works cited). Thesis Statements/Topic Sentences/Supporting Sentences/Arguments. Essay Structures – Rhetorical Modes / Linking Devices

Week 11

Using formatting to organise and revise an argument

Week 12

Feedback on first draft of research paper

Week 13

Feedback on first draft of research paper (2)

Week 14

Course evaluation; preparation for final exam