UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

Office of the Academic Affairs – General Education

Department of English

ENGLISH 3

Course Title: Academic Writing Skills in English

Course Code: English 3

Course Description: The course aims to develop the students’ proficiency in writing and research skills in academic
discourse. The focus is on descriptive, expository, and argumentative texts, library research paper and critiques.
Collaborative and workshop activities between teacher and students have been designed to foster expressive, creative
and critical academic writing skills among students.

Course Objectives : At the end of the semester, the students should be able to:

1. View writing as a purposeful interactive act;

2. Use a variety of effective writing strategies;
3. Produce different types of creative texts;
4. Construct a library research paper;
5. Use the portfolio assessment;
Course Requirements: To pass this course, the students should satisfy the following minimum requirements:
1. Active participation in class
2. Workshop sheets submitted on time
3. Three (3) essays (with1st and final drafts)
4. Examinations
5. Self-assessment summary
6. Library Research Paper
7. Attendance

Prerequisites: English 1, 2

Course Matrix :

Teaching/Learning
Week Specific Objectives Content Assessment
Strategies

1 Demonstrate an Nature of research Lecture Self-assessment

understanding of the Approaches to Research
nature of research, Types of Analysis of given Peer-assessment
approaches to research, Research examples
empirical Empirical
research vs library Research vs Library Research Doing
research, types of Methods of Research Examinations
research, methods The Language of Research worksheets
of research, and the
language of research.

2 Demonstrate a deeper The Research Lecture Self-assessment

understanding of the Process
research process, Choosing a Topic Doing worksheets Peer- assessment
choosing a topic, making a Preparing a Tentative/Annotated
tentative/ Bibliography Conduct-ing library Examinations
annotated Formulating the Thesis Statement research
bibliography, formulating Making an Outline
the thesis statement, Library Research Tips Writing a library research
making an outline, note Note taking paper as final output
taking and APA citation APA In-text Citation Style with
style. Annotation
Research Paper Writing Tips

1
3 FIRST SHIFTING EXAM

4 Demonstrate an Aspects of Academic Writing Lecture Self- assessment

understanding of the Audience
nature and aspects of Purpose Discussion Peer –
academic writing. Strategy assessment
Organization Doing worksheets
Adopt writing to specific Modes of Development Examinations
purposes, contexts, and Tone and Style
audiences. Language Features

Make use of
language appropriate to
academic writing.

5 Exhibit a clear The Nature of Writing Lecture Self-assessment

understanding of writing Writing as a
as a Discussion
cyclical process. Recursive Peer –
Process Doing worksheets assessment using
Identify the stages in the Stages and Strategies of the a checklist
writing process. Writing Process Writing text
Basic Components of an Teacher
Apply appropriate writing Academic Paper assessment
strategies. Introduction
Body
Write a text with an Conclusion
effective introduction,
body and conclusion.

6
SECOND SHIFTING EXAM

7 Identify characteristics of Essay Writing Lecture Self- assessment

effective writing. Characteristics of an Effective
Writing Discussion Peer- assessment
Use cohesive devices Unity
properly. Coherence Doing worksheets
Brevity
Write effective essays. Cohesion Composit - ion writing
Language Features

8 Identify the different Nature of Exposition Lecture Self-assessment

types and parts of an
expository essay.
Analyze expository
paragraphs.
Write effective expository
paragraphs.
Types of Exposition
Comparison and Contrast Discussion Peer –
Description assessment
Cause and Effect Doing worksheets using essay
Classification and Division writing rubric
Problem-Solution Paragraph writing

9
Argue logically and
persuade strongly.
Differentiate an
argument from
What is an Argument Lecture Self-assessment
Argument vs Opinion
Argumentative Thesis Discussion Peer- assessment
using rubric
Statements Doing worksheets
Purpose of an Argumentative for an

2
 an opinion. Essay Writing an argument -ative argumentative
Structure of an essay essay
Express arguments Argumentative Essay
clearly, objectively and Organization of an Teacher
effectively. Argumentative Essay assessment
Analyze and evaluate the Features of an
features of an argument. Argumentative Essay
Language/Transition Signals
Demonstrate the use of Argumentative Writing
argumentative/ Process
persuasive forms of
writing.

Use language and

transition words
appropriate in
argumentative essays.

Write well organized,

clearly written
argumentative essays.

10 Identify the different Writing Critiques Lecture Self-assessment

types of critique.
Recognize the different
steps in writing critiques.
Write effective critiques.
Book Reviews Discussion Peer- assessment
Reaction/Response Paper
Doing worksheets
Language Focus

11 Teacher
evaluation of
essays using
portfolio
assessment

Teaching/Learning Methodology:

Lectures/Class Discussion
Use of instructional media
Group Discussion
Pair Work

Assessment and Grading:

FIRST SHIFTING PERIOD

Class standing 60%
Recitation
Quizzes
Worksheets
First Shifting Examination 40%
100%

SECOND SHIFTING PERIOD

Class standing 40%
Recitation
Quizzes
Worksheets
3
 Written work (minimum of 3 essays 20%
with 1st and final drafts) in the portfolio
Preliminary Examination 40%
100%

THIRD SHIFTING PERIOD

Class standing 60%
Recitation
Quizzes
Worksheets

Library Research Paper 40%

(in lieu of final exam) ______

100%

FINAL GRADE = 1ST SHIFTING +2ND SHIFTING + 3RD SHIFTING

3

Textbook : Academic Writing Skills by Ma. Melvyn P. Alamis, Perla C. Villamarzo, Ana Maria Gloria S. Ward
(2009)