Scientific Writing in English

Course ID: M32010HH

Credits: 2

Objective: The course aims to help students express their ideas out onto the page in clear and coherent English. In addition to teaching students the fundamental principles to better writings, the course offers substantial practice exercises to help them improve their own prose and revise it effectively.

Course Prerequisites: None

Outline:

I. Introduction

1. Composing and Drafting

II. Combining and Revising Sentences

2. Playing with Sentences

3. Actions and Characters

III. Revising Paragraph and Whole Drafts

4. Coherence and Cohesion

5. Emphasis

6. Concision

7. Shape

8. Paragraph Patterns

9. Using Details

IV. Documenting Sources

10. CSE (CBS)

11. MLA, APA, and CMS

Teaching Method: 

ppt lecturing

Practical lessions of Scientific writings tools

Assignment corrections

English oral practice

Reference: 

Textbooks:

1. The Writer’s Options: Lessons in Style and Arrangement, 7e/M. Morenberg and J. Sommers, Pearson Education, 2008. (ISBN: 0-321-07226-X) (808.042 W939m 2003)

2. Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace/J. M. Williams, 9th edition, 2007, Pearson Longman. (ISBN 0-321-47935-0) (808.042 W637s 2007)

Supplements (For Exercises):

3. Writer’s Toolbox—A Sentence-Combining Workshop/ W. Strong, McGraw-Hill, 1996.

4. Sentence Combining—A Composing Book/W. Strong, McGraw-Hill, 1995.

References:

5. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language/R. Quirk, S. Greenbaum, G. Leech, and J. Svartvik, Longman. (R 428.2 C739 1985)

6. Dictionary: Collins COBUILD on CD-ROM, Harper-Collins Publishers Ltd. (CD 423 C692 2001)

7. Practical English Handbook/F. C. Watkins, et al., 11e, Houghton Mifflin. (428.2 P881 2001)

8. The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers, 4e/C. M. Anson and R. A. Schweger, Pearson. (808.042 An82 2005)

Course Schedule (subject to change): 

W1: Introduction

W2-5: Writing tools introductions

W6-8: Scientific formats

W9-12: Listening and writing skills

W13-17: CV, covering letter and drafts revision

Evaluation: 

1. Attendance & Participation 30%

2. Take-home assignments 35%

3. Oral Presentation 35%