Academic discourse

compulsory

English philology

2nd cycle

1. Consolidation of the ability to build logical, convincing scholarly arguments (in compliance with the norms of Anglo-American academic / scientific prose), particularly in the context of the MA project work.

2. Preparation for public presentations and discussions of one's research.

3. Consolidation and refinement of the active use, in both writing and speech, of the English academic / scientific style and rhetoric, also in the context of disciplinary specialization.

4. Further improvement of academic editing skills to optimise presentation of content and maintain formal accuracy.

Year 2

The aims of the course are:

- systematisation of MA students’ knowledge of, and compliance with, the standards of academic expression (style, rhetoric etc.) in the context of specific MA projects;

- consolidation in the area of academic discourse organisation, emphasising the pragmatic goals of argumentation and problem-solution patterning;

- supervision of formal accuracy, including adherence with the School’s documentation standard (WA Stylesheet).

Course contents:

1. Revision / consolidation of selected material from the following: models of organisation of MA theses, the use of the WA Stylesheet and Template, academic language and style, the use bibliographic sources in text, descriptions of methodology and analysis findings, discussion of research results, the writing of introductions and conclusions, construction of logical academic arguments.

2. Face to face discussion with the teacher, and following correction, of 2-3 excerpts of the MA thesis (e.g. a theory chapter excerpt and an empirical chapter excerpt).

3. Preparation of a powerpoint presentation capturing a selected aspect of one's MA project.

4. Preparation and delivery of a formal presentation of a chosen aspect of one's MA project in front of the group, in a quasi-conference setting including follow-up Q&A discussion - accompanied by peer-feedback and graded by the teacher.

Hyland, Ken. 2006. English for academic purposes: An advanced resource book. Routledge.

Swales, John M. 2004. Research genres: Explorations and applications. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Swales, John M. and Christine B. Feak. 2000. English in today's research world: A writing guide. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.

Swales, John M. and Christine B. Feak. 2004. Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills (Second edition.) Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.

Having successfully completed the course, the student:

1. Is able to select an aspect of his/her research material and prepare on this basis a well structured and formally (academically) appropriate multimedia presentation ("powerpoint" slideshow), presenting an important excerpt of their MA project.

2. Is able to present their own research publicly in a conference-like setting, effectively using a powerpoint slideshow for support, and to successfully address questions from the audience about their research.

3. Makes effective use of academic language and discourse conventions - also in the context of the selected scholarly discipline - both in writing and in speech.

4. Notices and corrects most of the important errors and problems (concerning text organization, rhetoric, grammar and language usage, formal appearance and layout) in self-written research text, demonstrating awareness of his/her own contribution to the presented content.

1. Evaluation of MA presentation - by the teacher (grade) and the group (peer feedback forms).

2. Evaluation of two corrected excerpts of the MA thesis.

Evaluated skills: ability to edit and proofread scientific / academic research text; ability to prepare and present a scientific / professional speech; ability to take active part in serious academic discussion in English.