The main objective of this course is to acquire a well-structured, coherent academic writing style by discussing and producing authentic text materials. Grammatical accuracy and vocabulary expansion are also addressed.
After a general introduction on academic style and vocabulary, this course focuses on the different sections in research papers (Abstracts, Literature Reviews, Introductions, Methods, Results, Discussions). We will examine authentic examples from the participants' disciplines, which serves as a basis to introduce different writing techniques and to give tips to avoid frequently made mistakes.
In addition, the participants' own research papers are thoroughly studied, evaluated and corrected inside and outside of the classroom, both by the teacher and by peers. Thanks to lively interaction, a discussion forum is built that does not strive for rigid rules and instructions, but trains linguistic confidence in academic writing.
Advanced knowledge of English. The Doctoral Schools will invite you to take a compulsory test in advance. Should you not pass this test, you can e.g. take the preparatory course English for Written Academic Purposes.
There is a placement test.
The participants will submit a fragment from an article after the course.
This page gives shared information about the specialised Advanced Academic English: writing skills courses (continuous training).
Recommended books:
If you buy one of these books at Standaard Boekhandel Shopping Zuid, Woodrow Wilsonplein 4, 9000 Gent (in the campus shop next to the shop), you will receive a discount of 10% on the official price. Make sure to mention that you take a language course at the UCT.