Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

Students will acquire skills and knowledge in the genre of the tertiary-level academic essay: these will be transferable to all writing in all subjects students undertake. We will study techniques of planning and idea generation. We will acquire a solid foundation in grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage and style. We will develop research techniques, and correct techniques in the use of sources (referencing, quoting, paraphrasing, and the avoidance of plagiarism). We will study and apply techniques of argumentation. We will study skills in the genre of academic writing, and we will develop skills in oral presentation, drafting, and editing and proofreading.

Objectives

By successfully completing this unit students will:

1. Be able to employ techniques to generate ideas, overcome writer's blocks, and structure argumentation.
2. Acquire or revise basic concepts of grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage and style, and be able to apply these in correcting faults and in developing exposition, authorial voice and expression in essays.
3. Develop research skills in relation to primary, secondary and tertiary sources, both in hard copy and online sources.
4. Develop professional practice in the skills of referencing, quoting, paraphrasing, and the avoidance of plagiarism.
5. Develop techniques of argumentation by studying logic, fallacies, and techniques of persuasion and influence.
6. Acquire skills in the genre of academic writing, such as expositional sequences, rhetorical strategies, register, audience, and authorial voice.
7. Acquire and improve oral presentation skills of content in essays.
8. Develop skills in drafting, redrafting, editing and proofreading.

Assessment

Language test: 25%
Essay(1500 words): 25%
Essay(2000 words): 40%
Class presentation: 10%

Chief examiner(s)

Baden Eunson

Contact hours

3 hours (1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

English

Prohibitions

ENH1240