Academic Writing for Korea University Business School
Program : Academic Writing Level I
1. Course Description
Academic Writing Level I has been designed for university students who need to enhance their academic writing skills
in English. As a 3-month intensive program, this course will first guide the students through the fundamentals of
paragraph structure, familiarizing them to various forms, styles and content. Upon this foundation of paragraph structure,
students will then begin to build and develop an understanding of the academic essay and the writing process through
integrated reading and writing activities. Students will have multiple opportunities to apply the skills learned during the
course through various writing assignments and exercises, for which they will receive written and verbal feedback.
2. Course Objective
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Brainstorm, organize, draft and revise a paragraph
2. Recognize features, elements and styles of different types of paragraphs
3. Demonstrate the ability to develop effective topic sentences, supporting details and concluding sentences
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the 3-paragraph essay structure, style and format
5. Demonstrate the ability to transition between ideas effectively and link each paragraph to form a cohesive
whole
6. Produce a well-organized 3-paragraph academic essay.
Program : Academic Writing Level I
Week 1
Putting the Paragraph Together
Week 3
Descriptive Paragraphs
Week 4
Process Paragraphs
Week 5
Compare/Contrast Paragraphs
Week 6
Opinion Paragraphs
Week 7
Cause/Effect Paragraphs
Week 8
Narrative Paragraphs
Week 9
The 3-Paragraph Essay
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Day 1
Paragraph structure
-Types of Paragraphs
-Examples
-The Topic Sentence
-Identifying the Topic vs. Controlling Idea -Do’s and Don’ts for topic sentences
Day 2
Supporting Sentences : Functions and types of Supporting Sentences
Concluding Sentences : Functions and types of Concluding Sentences
Day 1
Day 2
Day 1
Day 2
Day 1
Day 2
Day 1
Day 2
Day 1
Day 2
Day 1
Day 2
Day 1
Day 2
Day 1
Day 2
Transitions/Linking Sentences
Sentence Structures/Types
Elements of Descriptive Paragraphs
Writing Workshop #2 (Describing pictures)
Elements of Process Paragraphs
Writing Workshop #3 (“How to” paragraph)
Elements of Compare/Contrast Paragraphs
Writing Workshop #4 (Comparison/Contrast paragraph)
Elements of Persuasive Writing
Writing Workshop #5 (Situational Issue: Choose a side)
Elements of Cause/Effect Paragraphs
Writing Workshop #6 (Cause/Effect)
Elements of Narrative Paragraphs
Writing Workshop #7 (Personal account)
Elements of the 3-Paragraph Essay: Format and Structure
Outlining a Sample Essay
Day 1
Selecting Topics & Brainstorming/Outlining
Choose a paragraph type from a previous class
 brainstorm and outline a 3-paragraph essay
Day 2
Writing Workshop #8: Peer Editing Rough Drafts + Feedback/Comments
Day 1
Common errors #1: Verb Tenses (Present, Past, Future, Perfect)
Common errors #2: Sentence Fragments, Comma Splices, Punctuation
Day 2
Common errors #3: Diction/Syntax
Common errors #4: Dangling/Misplaced Modifiers,
Day 1
Day 2
Comprehensive Review
In-class Writing Final
What is a Paragraph?
Week 2
The Essay Writing Process
Grammar Clinic
Review & Final Exam
Course Curriculum
Academic Writing for Korea University Business School
Program : Academic Writing Level II
1. Course Description
Academic Writing Level II has been designed for university students who possess a general knowledge of basic
essay structure but require an in-depth study of the core elements and features of the academic essay to strengthen their
overall writing skills. As such, this course will give students a comprehensive overview of the academic essay, emphasizing
the structural components, format and style. Through exposure to various types of essays, students will acquire the ability to
formulate their own opinions on academic topics, develop and organize support, and display freedom of written expression
in academic contexts.
2. Course Objective
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Brainstorm, organize, draft and revise an essay
2. Recognize features of a good thesis statement
3. Demonstrate the ability to develop effective essay introductions
4. Demonstrate the ability to support thesis statements with well-organized body paragraphs
5. Demonstrate the ability to transition between ideas
6. Demonstrate a solid understanding of different kinds of essays and essay structures
7. Produce an effective, well-developed and organized essay
Program : Academic Writing Level II
Week 1
Week 2
Day 1
*Introduction to various forms of Academic Writing
-Identifying the Purpose of Academic Writing and differences between other forms
Day 2
*Academic Essay structure
-The Introduction, Body Paragraphs, Concluding Paragraph
-Types of Essays
-Examples
Day 1
*Effective Introductions
-“Hooking” the reader
-Introducing the Thesis Statement
What is an Essay?
The Introduction
Day 2
Week 3
The Body
Day 1
Day 2
Week 4
The Conclusion
Week 5
Putting it All Together
Week 6
The Compare/Contrast Essay
Week 8
Day 2
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 1
Week 9
The Argumentative Essay
Week 10
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 1
Week 11
The Narrative Essay
Week 12
Day 1
Day 1
Week 7
Course Curriculum
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
-Transitioning to the first body paragraph
Writing Exercise #1: The Intro
*Review: Paragraph Structure
-Topic Sentences + Supporting Details
-Transitioning/Linking Ideas
Writing Exercise #2 (Writing 3 Body Paragraphs)
*Concluding the Essay:
-Rephrasing the Thesis
-Summarizing & redirecting the reader
-Do’s & Don’ts
Writing Exercise #3 (Ending the essay)
Outlining a Sample Essay
Essay Assignment #1: Brainstorming/Outlining + Introductory Paragraph
Feedback Session: Rough Draft Peer Revisions + Feedback
Example Essay Analysis & Review
*Elements & Features of the Compare/Contrast Essay
-Expressing Pros & Cons
-Providing Facts, Statistics + other support
Essay Assignment #2: Brainstorming/Outlining + Introductory Paragraph
Feedback Session: Rough Draft Peer Revisions + Feedback
Example Essay Analysis & Review
*Elements & Features of the Argumentative Essay
-Expressing opinions
-Supporting Evidence
-Establishing academic tone
Essay Assignment #3: Brainstorming/Outlining + Introductory Paragraph
Feedback Session: Rough Draft Peer Revisions + Feedback
Example Essay Analysis & Review
*Elements & Features of the Narrative Essay
-Structure/Format
-Narrative Techniques
Essay Assignment #4: Brainstorming/Outlining + Introductory Paragraph
Feedback Session: Rough Draft Peer Revisions + Feedback
Comprehensive Essay Review/In-class Essay