Vi etn am N a tio n a I U n iv ers ity H CM C Department ofEnglish

ur-ffi I NTE RNATIONAL U N IVERS ITY

WRITINC AE1
(ACADEMIC WRITING)
1. Course Code: EN007lU
2. Numher ofCredits: 2

3. Instructor Information

4. Course Description
This coursc provides students with comprehensive instructions and practice in essay
writing, including transforming ideas inro diffbrent iunctions of writing such as process,
cause eflecl, comparison-contrast, and argumentative essays. Throughout the whole course,
studcnts are required to read university-level texts to develop the abilily to read c tically
and to respond accurate]y, coherent]y and academically in writing. Through providing them
with crucial writing skills such as brainstorming, paraphrasing, idea developing, revising,
and editing, this course prepares the students for research paper writing in the next level of
AE2 writing.

5. Pre-requisite: Studcnts must fulfill ONE of the fbllowing requirements to attend this course:
I{old TOEFL iBT certificate with score > 61
- Hold IELTS certificate with scorc 2 6.0
IIave complctcd IE2 course

6. Materials:
[1] Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2017). Longman Academic Writing Series, tevel 4r Es:sdys [5t]' ed.)
New Jersey, NJ: Pearson Longman.
Refercnce:
[2] Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2006). Longnan Acadenic Writing Series, Level 4: Essays (4\t' ed.)
New Jersey, NIr Pearson Longman.

7. Course Objectives
Upon the completion ofthis course, students are able to:
- understand and follow differenr steps in the writing process to produce a complete essay
- employ diffbrent methods to improve their writing such as peer feedback and leacher
comments
use diffbrent functions of writing to successfully commLlnicate their purposes to the
audicnce IDescribe a process, discuss the causes:rnd eifects, compare and contrast, make
arguments, paraphrase and summarizeJ

ESL Pragrams 7
,,€*@ Vietnam National University HCMC
lNTERNATIONAL UNlVERSITY
Deportmcnt af English

read crifically, analyze and annotate an academic text

8. Course implementation:
(1) Time: 15 weeks, 2 periods perweek
(2J Teaching & learning activities:
Homework: Students are supposed to read the materials thoroughly bcfore class,
Preparation especially sample essays in the course books, in order to promote
autonomous learning.
Instructional A variety of teaching techniques will be applied in delivering the
strategies lessons, from lecture to discussion, from individual to group work.
Write together (or Lecturer introduces the topic and elicits students' ideas and sentences.
activities of Students can work individually or in groups to contribute their
lecturer's choice) ideas/sentences to the Write Together process. The final writing
product should be sent to all students (via Blackboard) for reference.
In-class writing Students write individually in class, then provide peer-feedback for
their classmates using the rubric provided as homework. Lecturer IS
NOT REQUIRED to mark all of these in-class writings but to give
feedback and comments to some in class.
In-class Students write individually in cJass. Lecturer MARKS their writings fbr
assiSnment assignment scores.
Homework: Furthcr practices/ writing tasks outside fhe classroom are highly
practice recommended to students to reinforce lhe skills they are trained in
class. Lecturer IS NOT REQUIRED to mark all the homework but to give
feedback and comments to some in class.
Review/Correction Students must turn in their homework or in-class writings at least
three days before class time, so lecturers can choose one or t\{o
writings to be corrected in class. Lecturer IS NOT RIjQIIIRED to mark
all thc in-class writings or homework but to give feedback and
comments to some in class.

9, Course outline
Week Coursebook Homework

Chqpter Psges

7 The process ofAcademic [2] pp. . Do revising & editing exercises

Writing 265-279 . Read pp. [1] pp.66-72
Step 1: Creating (Prewriting)
Step 2: Planning (OutliningJ
Step 3: Writing

ESL Pragronls 2
&ffi Vietnam National University HCMC
1NTE RNAT IO NAL U N IV E RS ITY
Departn)entafEnglish

week Coursebook Homework

Chqpter Pages

Step 4: Polishing

Using Outside Sources [1] pp. sB-

Paraphrasing
Plagiarism and how to avoid
plagiarism
2 Using Outside Sources (Cont'd)
Strategies for writing a successful
summary
3&4 Review/ Correction: Lecturer
gives feedback to one or two
students' writings in class.
From Paragraph to Essay
The introductory paragraph:
. General statements &
Introductory techniques
. Thesis statements & Logical
division of ideas
Body paragraphs:
. Topic sentences
The concluding paragraph:
. Restatement
. Final thoughts
Outlines of essays
65
[1lpp. sB- . Do paraphrasing exercises
72 . Read [1] pp.74-100. Read, take
notes and write the summary
of ONE of the following articles
o The Challenge of Many
Languages [p.280)
c Njce by Nature? (p.281J
o Ma tal Exchanges [pp.283-
4)
o Why We Should Send a
Manned Mission to Mars [pp.
286 7)
c Let's Not Co to Mars [pp.
2BB-91
l7l pp.7 + . Read pp. 101-15
- 100 . Do excrcises onl
c Writing thesis statenlents
c Writing topic sentences from
the thesis statement provided
o Writing restatements

ESL Pragronls 3
'ii'ffi Vietnom National Universiqt HCMC
I N T E RN AT 1 O NA L UN I VERS I TY
DepartmentofEnglish

Week Coursebook Homework

Chqpter Pages

5 Process Essays [1] pp. 101 Write a short essay (150-200

Introduction - 115 wordsl describing ho\'v
Analyzing the models hydroclectric power is
Thesis statements for process generated Ior a topic oithe
essay lecturer's choice)
Transitional signals
Write together:
Writing from a diagram [p.115]
6 Process Essays (Cont'd) [1] pp. 101 Read [1] pp. 116-132
Revieq Correction: Lecturer - 115
gives feedback to one or two
students' writings in class.
ln-closs Assionment:
Write a process essay about one of
these topics or a topic ofthe
lecturer's choicei
. How to cook a favorite food
. How to do a favorite hobby
. How to succeed in your major
area or professional field
. How to accomplish an
academic task [register for
classes, apply for a scholarship,
pass an exam, etc.)
7 Cause/ Effect Essays [1] pp. I16 t Practice 4,5,6 /pp.127-9
Introduction - t32 . Write the introduction, oNE
Analyzing the models body paragraph and the
Organization conclusion on one ofthe topics
Signal words and phrases below or a topic ofthe
Write together: lecturer's choice, The topic
Wdte the introduction, 0NE body should be different tuom the
paragraph and the conclusion on one that has been used in class:
one ofthe topics below or a topic o The cause ofobesity
of the lecturer's choice: o The effects ofinvolvement in
. The cause ofobesity sports on young children
. The effects ofinvolvement in o The causes ofstress in

ESL Progrums 4
 Deportment ofEnglish
,up,ffi Vietnam National UniversiE HCMC
I N T E RN AT I O N AL U N I VERS I TY

week Coursebook Homework

Chqpter Pages

sports on young children college students

The causes of stress in collcge o The effects of reguJar reading
students on students'lives
Tire effccts of regular reading
on students'lives
B Cause/ Effect Essays (cont'd) Give peer-f'eedback using the
Review/ Correction: Lecturer rubric provided
gives feedback to one or two
students' ra.ritings in class,
ln-closs Writino:
Wdte the introduction, ONE body
paragraph and the conclusion on
one ofthe two topics left (except
for the ones that has been worked
on in class and assigned as
homework) or a topic ofthe
lecturer's choice:
. The cause ofobesity
. The effects ofinvolvement in
sports on young children
. The causes ofstress in college
students
The effects ofregular reading on
students' lives
MID.TERM EXAMINATION

9 Comparison/ Contrast Essays [1] pp. 133 . Practice 3,4,6,7 /pp.142-6

Introduction - 151 . Write the introduction, ONE
Analyzing the models body paragraph and the
0rganization: conclusion on one ofthe topics
. Points ofcomparison below or a topic ofthe
. Point-by-pointorganization lecturer's choice, The topic
. Block organization should be different from the
Comparison and Contrast signal one that has been used in class
words o Compare and contrast the
Write together: relationship between parents

ESL Programs 5
 Vietnam National UniveBiq, HCMC Department ofEnglish
I N TE RN AT I O NAL UN I VE RS ITY

week coursebook Homework

Chapter Pages

Write the introduction, ONE body and children in two diffcrent

paragraph and the conclusion on cultLlres.
one ofthe topias below or a topic c Compare and contrast the
of the lecturer's choice: university culturc in two
. Compare alld contrast the diffurent countries.
relationship between parents . Compare and conlrast the
and childrcn in two different cultnrc of a small town and a

cultures. big city.

. Compare and contrast the
univcrsity culture in two
difierent countrics.
. Compare and contrast the
culture of a snall town and a
big city.
10 Comparison/ Contrast Essays [1] pp. 133 Read [1] pp. 152-168
(Cont'd) - 151
Revieq Correction: Lecturer
gives feedbackto one or two
students' !\,,ritings in class.
ln-closs Assionment:
Write a compare and contrast
essay on the topic left or a topic of
the lecturer's choice:
. Compare and contrastthe
relationship between parents
and children in two different
cultures
. Compare and contrast the
university culture in two
different countries
. Compare and contrast the
culture ofa small town and a
big city
11& Argumentative Essays [1] pp. Write an argumentative essay
L2 Introduction 152-168 (300 - 350 words) on ONE of
Analyzing the model the following topics or a topic

ESL Prograns 6
.q-r,ffi} Vi etn o m N d tion o I
I NT E RN ATI O N AL U N I
U niv ersi ty LIC M C
VE RS ITY
Department of English

Week coursebook Homework

Chqpter Pqges

0rganizationr Block vs. Point-by- of the Iecturer's choice:

point pattern o Can same-sex parenting
Thc elements of an argumentative negatively influence a child's
essayl mentality?
. An explanation ofthe issue o Do famous artists have an
. A clear thesis statement innate talent, or do they put in
. A sumrnary ofthc opposing great effort to improve their
argun1ents skills?
. Rebuttals to the opposing o Is homework helpful?
arguments
.Your own arguments
Thc introductory paragraph:
Thesis StatemenL
Statistics as support
Write together:
Write the introduction, ONE body
paragraph and the conclusion on
one of the topics below or a topic
of the lectlrrer's choice:
. Can same sex parenting
negatively influence a
child's menrality?
. Do famous artists have an
innate talent, or do they
put in great effort to
impr ove their skills?
o Is homervork helpful?
13 Argumentative Essays (Cont'd) Give peer'feedback using the
Revieq Correction: Lecturer rubric provided
gives feedback to one or two
students' writings in class,
In-class Writingl
W te an argumentative essay on
the topic left or a topic ofthe
lecturer's choice:
. Can same-sex parenting

ESL Progratns 7
u,ffi
Vietnam National University HCMC Department of English
I NT E RN AT IO NAL UN 1 VE RS I TY

Week Coursebook Homework

Chqpter Pqges

negatively influence a
child's mentality?
. Do famous artists have an
innate talent, or do they
put in great effort to
improve their skills?
Is homework helpful?
t4 Review & Practice: Summarizing Sample finaltest
15 RevievCorrection: Lecturer
gives feedbackto one or two
students' argumentative essays +
sample final test in class,
Lecturer has students check their
own assignment scores.

FINAL EXAMINATION

10. Policies and Expectations: Attendance, Missed Tests, Class Behaviors

Attendance
Regular on-time attendance in this course is expected. A student will be allowed no more than
three absences. It is compulsory that the students attend at least 800/0 of the course to be
eligible for the final examination.

Missed Tests
Students are not allowed to miss any ofthe tests [both Mid'term and Final). There are vcry ferv
exceptions. Only \\,ith extremely reasonable excuses [eg. certified paper fron] doctorsl,
\ruLlInls m.ry re-take lhe ey.rm.n.lt;on.

Class Behaviors
Students are required to treat their studying in college as a full-time job and spend an adequate
amount of time for this Writing AE1 course with approximately B-10 hoLrrs per week lboth in
class and self study). Accordingly, students are supposed to fbllou/ the obligations below:
- Prepare thoroughly for each class in accordance with the course sy]labus and complete
home assjgnments as the instructor's request.
- Participate fully and constructively in all course activities and disctlssions (ifanyJ.
- Display appropriate courtesy to all involved in the class.
- Provide constructive ieedback to faculty members regarding their performance

ESL Programs B
q;ffi Vietnam National University HCMC
INT E R N AT IO N AL U N IVE RS ITY
Depdrtment aJ English

Pl(lgiarisnl
Students are warned not to copy from other books or from their peers for all assessment tasks.
Committing plagiarism will result in 0 point for the task. Students who plagiarize lwice will be
prohibited liom sitting the final examin2tion
Writing Center (Room 509)
Students are encouragcd to visit the Writing Center to schedule an appointment fbr additional
help with essay writing.

r
11. Assessment
Assessment Summary

AssessmentTatsk Scoring Weighting

llomework completion (10%l
Week 6: In-class writing assignment: Process
1 essay [10%) 100 304/a
Week 10: In-class writing assignment: Compare
& Contrast essay [10%)
Mid-term Exam (60 minutes):
2 100 300/,:

Finat Exam (60 minutes):

3 100 4Da/a

Passing Grade: 50

Revised by: Nguy6n Thi Ngoc Chau, M.A. Ho Chi 14inh City, August 20, 2019
Reviewed byr V[ Ti6n Thinh, M.A. Approvcd by the English Dcpartment Chail.

Dr. Nguy6n Huy Cudng

ESL Ptollrans 9