Dr Yih-Dau Wu
ydw20@nccu.edu.tw
Office: Research Building 717
Telephone: (02)2939-3091#88103
Writing and Reading (I)
(A) Course description and objective
In this course we explore the complementary arts of writing and reading. We will learn how
to write clear and powerful essays by using examples, comparison, contrast, classification
and process analysis. We will read news articles or commentaries from The Time Magazine
and The Economist. This will help you understand what qualifies as a reader-friendly,
compelling and beautiful piece of writing.
Writing
Students will be able to write coherent paragraphs and long essays (500-1000 words) that
present their ideas in a well-organised and convincing manner.
Reading
Students will be able to grasp the central message of a given text, summarise it and offer their
own critical response.
(B) Requirements:
1. Write 6 essays (500-1000 words) and do at least 1 group presentation with great care and
diligence.
2. Sit in one grammar exam (date to be announced) and participate in class activities
vigorously.
Evaluation:
Quiz 5% ; Grammar exam 5%
Group presentations 20%
6 Essays 40%
Mid-term: 15%; Final exam: 15%
N.B. We put great emphasis on group presentation this term. Co-operate with your partner
(two students in a group) and be well-prepared for this. Carelessness in all forms (i.e. failing
to present your ideas in clear and fluent English, unfamiliar with the materials you are going
to present, shambolic PPTs and so on) are NOT acceptable. You will be seriously penalised
for your apparent lack of preparation.
1
Schedule:
Week 1 (26th Feb.)
Quiz EVU unit 40-60
Introduction
The Persuasive Principle: How to convince your readers?
Writing with a Thesis pp. 1-33
th
Week 2 (5 March.) Quiz EVU unit 61-63
Chapter 6: Introduction to the Essay,
student presentation on chapter 6; in-class writing exercise
Writing with a Thesis pp. 1-33
th
Week 3 (12 March) Quiz EVU unit 64-66,
reading assignment and discussion 1
Chapter 6: Introduction to the Essay
Week 4 (19th March) Essay 1 due and peer review (focus on a thesis statement)
Chapter 7: The Example Essay
Student presentation on chapter 7
th
Week 5 (26 March) Chapter 7: The Example Essay
Student presentation on chapter 4 of Writing with a Thesis
pp. 97-119
Essay 2 due and peer review (focus on examples)
Week 6 ( 2st April)
Week 7 (9th April)
Week 8 (16th April)
Week 9 (23nd April)
Week 10 (30th April)
Week 11
(7th May)
Quiz EVU unit 67-69
Reading assignment and discussion 2
Chapter 8 Comparison and Contrast
Student presentation on chapter 8
Quiz EVU unit 70-73
Chapter 8 Comparison and Contrast
Student presentation on chapter 6 of Writing with a Thesis
pp. 165-192
Essay 3 due and peer review (focus on comparison and
contrast)
Chapter 8 Comparison and Contrast
Mid-term exam (EVU unit 61-73; reading assignment 2;
writing an essay in class)
Quiz EVU 74-76
Reading assignment and discussion 3
Chapter 9: The Classification Essay
Student presentation on chapter 9
Quiz EVU 77-79
Reading assignment and discussion 4
Chapter 9: The Classification Essay
Student presentation on chapter 8 of Writing with a Thesis
2
Week 12
(14th May)
Week 13
(21th May)
Week 14
(28th May)
Week 15
(4th June)
Week 16
(11th June)
Week 17
(18th June)
Week 18
(25th June)
pp. 225-62
Quiz EVU 80-83
Chapter 9: The Classification Essay
Essay 4 due (focus on classification) and peer review
Film-watching
Supplementary hand-outs from Steps to Writing Well
(Writing about film 503-516)
Quiz EVU 84-86
Essay 5 due and peer review (focus on the film we have
watched together)
The body paragraphs, beginnings and endings from Steps to
Writing Well pp. 47-90
Quiz EVU 87-89
Reading assignment and discussion 5
Chapter 10 The process analysis essay
Student presentation on chapter 10
Quiz EVU 90-93
Reading assignment and discussion 6
Chapter 10 The process analysis essay
Student presentation on chapter 5 of Writing with a thesis
pp. 123-60
Chapter 10 The process analysis essay
Essay 6 due and peer review (focus on process analysis)
Final exam (EVU unit 74-100; 4 reading assignments;
writing an essay in class)
3