Admission requirements
None.
Description
There are no rules in writing. There are useful principles. Throw them away when they’re not useful. But always know what you’re throwing away.
Will Shetterly
According to the American writer Will Shetterly there are no rules in writing – the only rule that applies to writing is that there are no rules. Shetterly does believe in useful principles that can be used in writing, or ignored if they are not relevant to a particular text. However, in order to apply the principles or simply discard them, a writer first has to get to know them well, which is why this introductory writing course aims to familiarize you with the grammatical and stylistic features of formal texts in English. Some of the topics to be dealt with are formal register, cohesion, writing introductions and conclusions, using reference books, and acknowledging one’s sources. Furthermore, we will discuss those areas of English grammar that you need to become an accurate writer. Students will prepare different writing, spelling and punctuation, style and grammar tasks at home, which will then be discussed in seminars, whereas weekly lectures will provide you with invaluable background information on topics relevant to the writing process. Students will also hand in a short writing assignment which will be commented upon and marked.
Course objectives
At the end of this course the students will be able to
identify and define grammatical and stylistic features of formal texts;
use the appropriate terminology to describe grammatical and stylistic features of formal texts;
apply theory to practice by means of weekly homework assignments;
compose/write short academic essays in grammatically and stylistically correct English.
Timetable
The timetable will be available by June 1st on the website.
Mode of instruction
One-hour lecture and one-hour seminar per week.
Course Load The course load of this course is 140 hours.
time spent on attending lectures and seminars: 25
time for studying the compulsory literature: 60
time to prepare for the exam and essay (including reading and research): 55
Assessment method
Written multiple-choice exam on grammar, spelling and punctuation, and on stylistics as discussed in the lectures and Kolln (60%);
A 750-word essay (40%).
If the final grade is 5 or less students may only resit the insufficient course component(s).
Both components have to be sufficient (6.0) in order to successfully finish this course.
Attendance is compulsory. Unauthorized absence will mean that you cannot take part in the relevant exam(s).
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used to provide students with an overview of current affairs, as well as specific information about (components of) the course.
Reading list
Kolln, Martha J. & Loretta Gray. (2014). Rhetorical grammar: international edition. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education. [Most recent edition].
Collins English paperback thesaurus. 6th ed. Glasgow: HarperCollins Publishers.
From scratch to script: texts and assignments language acquisition 1. [Reader available on Blackboard].
McIntosh, Colin, Ben Francis & Richard Poole. (2009). Oxford collocations dictionary for students of English. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Registration
Students cannot register through uSis, but must see the coordinator of studies and register with her. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or mail: english@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
English Language and Culture departmental office, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102C. Tel. 071 5272144; english@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Coordinator of studies: Ms T.D. Obbens, MA, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 103C.