SFC640 - Academic Writing in English

(Pre)Master students whose general English skills are sufficient (CEF level B2) and who want to improve their Academic Writing Skills in English.

This 5 ECTS course aims to provide participants with training in the skills necessary to write several short academic texts, such as an argumentative text, a problem-solution-evaluation text, a data commentary based on a set of given data, and a reflective text summary.

To develop these skills, the course focuses on (1) the features of academic writing, (2) academic vocabulary, and (3) improving readability of your writing strategies.

Throughout the course students are given short writing assignments on which formative feedback is received  from classmates (during a peer review session) and from the course instructor. The course is finally assessed by means of two writing tasks.

The course comprises 8 sessions of 4 hours each. In addition to class time, you’ll require an additional 6-7 hours per week for self-study and homework. 

In order to participate in this course, you must first do the SFC600 English Placement Test in Canvas to assess your current level of English. The result of the SFC600 test will tell what the right course is for you. 

If you do not complete the online SFC600 test and receive advice for SFC640, you will be deregistered.  If you have successfully completed SFC630, you do not have to complete the test.

End level: CEF level C1

On completion of this course you will be able to do the following: 

1. Write a problem-solution text based on the following criteria:
   • use of appropriate academic register as discussed in Swales and Feak, Academic Writing for Graduate Students
   • use of grammatical structures typical of a problem-solution text as discussed in Swales and Feak, Academic Writing for Graduate Students
   • use of appropriate structure for a problem-solution text as discussed in Swales and Feak Unit 3
   • the use of sentence strategies and linking devices to achieve good readability
   • use of academic vocabulary from the Academic Word list 1-6.
2. Write an Introduction to a Research Paper based on the following criteria:
   • use of the rhetorical pattern known as the create-a-research-space (CARS) model as discussed in Swales and Feak, Academic Writing for Graduate Students
   • use of verb tenses typical of an Introduction
   • use of phrases and vocabulary typical of a research report
   • use of academic vocabulary from the Academic Word list 1-6.
3. Write a data commentary based on the following criteria:
   • the ability to highlight relevant trends shown in a given set of data (table/graph/chart)
   • the ability to structure the data commentary and order information in an appropriate way as discussed in Swales and Feak, Academic Writing for Graduate Students
   • use of academic vocabulary from the Academic Word list 1-6.
4. Write a summary based on the following criteria:
   • the ability to paraphrase as discussed in Swales and Feak, Academic Writing for Graduate Students
   • the ability to accurately highlight the main ideas from a given source text
   • the ability to incorporate sources correctly (APA style and/or field specific conventions)
   • use of academic vocabulary from the Academic Word list 1-6.

The course is given every quartile. Registration code SFC640 via Osiris.
Before registering for the SFC6400, you must first complete the SFC600 English Placement Test on Canvas to assess your current level of English.

Step 1: Register for the SFC600 English Placement Test in Osiris

Step 2: Complete the SFC600 English Placement Test in Canvas
You can only do the test when you are registered in Osiris.

Step 3: Depending on the advice you receive, you can now register for SFC630/SFC640 in Osiris

Want to know more? Contact Language Center at +31 40 - 247 2912 or via the contact form below.