Academic Writing
Fall 2012 Meet twice a week Wednesday, Friday
Time: Wednesday 4:10-6:00 Friday 10:10-12:00
Instructor: Austin Casey
E-mail: austinkc@hotmail.com
Phone: 134 3922 0499
Website: http://austincasey.yolasite.com/
Office Hours: ICB Room 319
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Today:
attendance
My website
New Writing Center
Plagiarism
More thesis statements, activity
Paragraphs
Reading
first journal topic:
write about an event in your life
Homework:
•Journal 150-250 words. Make a heading. Type and Print
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Class Website
http://austincasey.yolasite.com/
Click on Academic Writing
I will upload the PPTs as they are available
(usually after class)
You can get the class materials and PPTs
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Materials
Also the student monitor may get the PPTs from
me after class on a USB drive.
They may then e-mail the materials to the rest of
the class.
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New Writing Center (WRC)
ICB UK Program Writing Center
Rm.106 and/or Rm.104, 1st Floor, ICB Bldg.
Hours:
Monday to Tuesday: 10:10 to 12 pm;
Wednesday: 10:30 to 12:30pm, 2:00 to 3:50pm;
Friday: 2:00 to 3:50pm
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Welcome to ICB UK Program Writing Center!
The Writing Center is a place where any ICB’s UK Program student
can get help with his or her writing. The Writing Center is a part of
ICB’s English Teaching Department. It is a place where one-on-one
teaching and learning take place, as students work closely with
teachers through the writing process and on any writing work except
for exams.
Making an Appointment
All Writing Center sessions are 50 minutes long. Try to schedule your
appointment in advance of the due date for your writing work so that
you will have enough time to revise after the session.
Walk-in Appointments
All ICB UK Program students are eligible for walk-in sessions, even
those who have had an appointment earlier in the week. Students who
want additional time beyond one session per week can use walk-in
sessions.
To get a walk-in session, come to the Writing Center and put your
name on the Waiting List. The waiting list works on6 a first-come, firstserve basis.
What can I do in the Writing Center?
1. You can get general information about English writing.
2. You can discuss writing topics.
3. You can get feedback from professors
4. You can get information about study abroad program
5. You can have professor check your homework
In summary, it is very useful for you!
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When can you come?
Right now, you can just stop by anytime during
the regular hours.
If we are busy, then you will have to sign up on
the sheet.
Just write down your name, student number, class, date,
and time
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Writing Center Topics
You can always ask questions about anything or
check your homework, but we will also have a
syllabus:
Week 2: Plagiarism
Week 3: Referencing, Citing Sources
Week 4: Mid-Autumn Holiday & National Holiday
Week 5: Brainstorming & Outlining
Week 6: Writing a Report, Researching
Week 7: Proof-reading, editing
Week 8: Academic Writing Do's and Don'ts
Week 9: Mid-Term Exam
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Writing Center Topics
You can always ask questions about anything or
check your homework, but we will also have a
syllabus:
Week 10: Formal writing, letters
Week 11: E-mails
Week 12: Making a CV (resume), how to use
professional English
Check the handout for more details!
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Plagiarism
Remember: plagiarism means using other
peoples words without permission. It is similar to
stealing.
Plagiarism is unprofessional and a bad habit
It is like stealing so if you plagiarize you will get a
0 on the assignment. If it happens again, you
will FAIL THE CLASS
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Plagiarism
Lets take a look at the plagiarism PPT
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Thesis Statements: Remember
A thesis statement is a topic and an
opinion.
Topic: what you want to talk about
Opinion: what do you think about
the topic
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What is a Thesis Statement?
In an essay it is the last sentence
of the introduction
In a paragraph it is the first
sentence. Also called topic
sentence.
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Thesis Statements Examples:
Writing Academic English (brown book) p.59-60, 63, 65-68
Thesis statements are important for academic writing,
TOEFL, and IELTS writing.
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Thesis Statement
More Tips. Remember:
When you write a thesis, instead of “I” use “you” It is like you are
recommending something to the reader
Example:
I did not realize how scary ski jumping was, until I tried it!
Better: You will not realize how scary ski jumping is until you try it!
Basketball taught me many new things like teamwork and how to
challenge myself.
Better: Basketball teaches you many new things like teamwork and how
to challenge yourself.
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More Tips. Remember:
A thesis statement must be an argument! That means that I can agree or
disagree.
Example:
I had a great time with my small cousin when we went shopping.
Better: You should take your small cousin shopping sometime to teach
her the values of money.
I had a good experience mountain climbing Huashan in Xian.
Better: If you visit Xian you must climb Huashan mountain because it is
challenging, refreshing, and traditional.
You see that you cannot argue the first examples? No you didn’t have a good
time with your cousin! No you didn’t have a good experience climbing
Huashan! - It's too ridiculous!
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More Tips. Remember:
In a thesis statement, you must have learned something!
Example:
I have a pet cat named Lucy, she is so nice and pretty.
Better: You can learn so many unexpected things from a cat, like how to
take a nap or enjoy the sunshine.
I am just incredible at sports and my friends respect me.
Better: If you always try your best, people will learn to accept your weak
points and respect you.
Tell the reader what you have learned and maybe you can teach them
something too.
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Thesis: If you are not sure, use the 333 rule.
Introduction
Thesis: While I love movies as much as ever, the inconvenience of going
out, the temptations of the theater, and the behavior of some patrons are
reasons for me to wait and rent the video
1 supporting paragraph
To begin with, I just don't enjoy the general hassle of the evening.
2 supporting paragraph
Second, the theater offers tempting snacks that I really don't need.
3 supporting paragraph
Many of the other patrons are even ore of a problem than the concession stand.
Conclusion
I was tired of the problems involved in getting to the theater, resisting
unhealthy snacks, and dealing with the patrons.
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When writing, give examples:
In the Body of your paper:
Tell us about your life. Give personal examples! Don't just talk about the
topic.
Example:
It is a fact that computers are great for communication, but these days
children use computers too much.
Better: I used computers too much until I hurt my hand. After that I
stopped using it so much. Now I try to write in my notebook instead of
typing sometimes.
Better: I met a child who played his video games too much and he
didn’t even look at his parents when he was talking to them. I felt it was
so sad.
Now you will use the word “I” because you are teaching the reader.
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A good writer will ask their self:
•
•
•
What is my hook?
What is my thesis?
What are my topic sentences?
•
•
•
•
Can the reader find my thesis statement?
Can the reader easily find my topic?
Can the reader find my opinion about my topic?
Can the reader find my topic sentences?
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Activity:
Write a short paper. The topic is “A Hassle”. It can be something annoying or
something that really bothered you. What was a big hassle in your life?
Hints:
What was very annoying? What made you so angry? Why? Is it something that
makes everyone angry or annoyed?
Just write an outline. It should be about 100 words. Make a thesis statement and give
some supporting points. You have 10 minutes.
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Example:
Hook:
Have you ever fought or yelled at another bus patron for a seat?
Thesis: Taking a bus can be a hassle because it is dirty, crowded, and slow.
P1 The bus is dirty.
–
Seats are not clean
–
People throw garbage on the floor
P2 The bus is crowded
- So many people in the morning and rush hour
- Cannot find a seat to sit down
P3 The bus is slow
- I can walk faster than the bus
-The bus can get into a traffic jam just like other cars
Conclusion: The bus is cheap, but it can be a hassle.
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Writing Academic English
Open your book to p.2-3
Lets talk about paragraphs
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Focus on Vocabulary
p. 2 words
pronunciation, meaning
Reading:
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Your Homework:
An interesting event in your life. It can be anything you like. You can choose
something super happy, or even something sad or something that made you very
very angry. Have fun with it!
1 paragraph = 150-250 words (about half a sheet of paper)
Try to make a thesis and underline it
Hints:
What made you so happy? When was the angriest time of your life? What was the
biggest adventure that you had with your friends when you were small? What
made you so sad?
Try to think of something interesting. You can use this topic for your first journal.
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This is a heading:
Your Name
My Name
Class Name
Date
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Homework:
Type out a journal. Type it and print it and bring it to class on Friday.
You can use the class writing 1 (your hometown) or class writing 2
(an event in your life).
I will check it on Friday
I want to make sure you are doing everything correctly.
Remember: Use the heading I gave you.
Double space, use Times New Roman, and 12 point font.
Make a thesis statement (underline it)
150-250 words (about half a page)
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