課程介紹
This semester-long course introduces first-year MA students to the elements of scholarly writing in humanities. From formulating a research question to marshalling a wide variety of primary and secondary sources to writing up research findings, the instructor will guide participants through the process of composing a research paper based on a topic of their interest. We will consider, among other things, the conventions of scholarly writing (such as citational practices), the key to a clear and concise writing style, the research resources, the basic yet essential writing skills (such as summarizing and paraphrasing), as well as the structures, meta-discourses and rhetorical modes which govern the production of a good piece of writing. Throughout the semester students are expected to read a wide range of materials and engage in weekly writing tasks intended not only to complete the final writing assignment of this course but also to develop the professional writing skills necessary for the success of their MA theses.  
 

1) Become familiar with the conventions of scholarly writing in humanities

2) learn how to summarize, paraphrase and cite sources with accuracy and concision while articulating their voices and arguments
3) develop analytical and critical skills in academic writing
4) have completed a series of writing tasks leading to the completion of a substantial piece of research paper
5) have a better understanding of the steps involved in writing a research paper  

 

Grades
10% Oral Presentations (Two Oral Presentations)
5 % Conference Presentation

15% attendance and participation

10% Research Journal (Including your journal reports, summaries and critiques of the primary and secondary texts, as well as annotated bibliography)
60% Research Paper (a paper of 3000 words to be submitted by 1/5; first draft is due by 11/21)

Your paper will be graded by the following criteria
A. Articulate a clear argument/position
B. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the topic
C. Demonstrate subject knowledge in a logical structure
D. Contain relevant and sufficient support for claim(s) or point(s) made. 
E. Offer adequate analysis of the primary texts.
F. Appropriate use of citations for quotes and materials consulted 
G. Clarity of Writing (Grammar, Sentence Structure, Punctuation and Style)

You should type and submit your assignments electronically on time. There is a 10 
point penalty for each day late. Any homework that is copied from another source 
will receive a ‘0’. 

教科書:

Style Lessons in Clarity and Grace (11th Edition)
The Elements of Academic Style: Writing For The Humanities by Eric Hayot
MLA Handbook (8th Edition)
Photocopied Materials

教學進度:

 

Dates

Topics

  

In-Class Activities

Assignments

Week 1

9/8  

Introduction

Speak about your research interests and potential topics

  1. Research Journal Assignment (Due by 9/13) 
  2. Reading Assignment: Harold Bloom’s Preface to The Anxiety of Influence

Week 2

9/15
  1. Library Tour    
  2. Finding a topic
  1. Meet at the library at 1:30 pm
  2. Discuss Bloom’s Preface

Research Journal Assignment (Due by 9/20)

Week 3

9/22

Summaries

Journal Report

 
  1. Research Journal Assignment (Due by 9/27)
  2. Write a 100-word summary of Bloom’s Preface to The Anxiety of Influence (Due by 9/26)
  3. Read selected passages from Gilbert and Gubar’s The Madwoman in the Attic

Week 4

9/29

Summaries

  1. Discuss your

summaries of Bloom’s Preface

  1. Discuss The

Madwoman in the Attic

  1. Journal Report
  1. Research Journal Assignment (Due by 10/4)
  2. Write a 100-word summary of The Madwoman in the Attic (Due by 10/3)

Week 5

10/6

Critiques

  1. Discuss your summary of The Madwoman in the Attic
  2. Journal Report

 
  1. Research Journal Assignment (Due by 10/11)
  2. Write a 100-word critique of The Anxiety of Influence or The Madwoman in the Attic (Due by 10/10)
  3. Read Part I of the MLA Handbook (pp. 3-53)

Week 6

10/13

Documentation:

Part I of the MLA Handbook (pp. 3-53)

  1. Discuss your critique assignment
  2. Journal Report  
  1. Annotated bibliography assignment
  2. Read a critical essay of the instructor’s choice (Due by 10/17)

Week 7

10/20

Literature Review  

 
  1. Discuss the critical essay
  2. Discuss your annotated bibliography assignment
  1. Annotated bibliography assignment (Due by 10/25)
  2. Read Part II of the MLA Handbook (pp. 54-68)
  3. Literature Review assignment (Due by 10/25)

Week 8

10/27
  1. Research Proposal
  2. Thesis statement
  3. In-text Citations  
  1. Discuss your annotated bibliography assignment
  2. Discuss your Lit Review assignment

Research Proposal (Due 11/8)

 

Week 9

11/3

No Class

Reading Week

 

Week 10

11/10

Giving feedback on research proposal

Speak about your research proposal

First draft of your research paper (Due 11/23)

Week 11

11/17 (M)

Style Lessons and Writing Tactics:

The Uneven U (pp. 59-80)

Oral Presentations on Lessons 1-5

 

 

The Uneven U Assignment: (Due 11/21)

 

Week 12

11/24

(W)

Style Lessons and Writing Tactics
Topic: Introductions (pp. 89-98)

Oral Presentations on Lessons 6-9

 

Introduction Assignment (Due 11/29)

 

Week 13

12/1

 
Giving Feedback on your first draft of research paper

 

Oral Presentations on Pronoun (pp. 184-187), Parentheticals (pp.180-183) and Rhetorical Questions and Clauses (pp.191-195)

 

 

Week 14

12/8

 

Style Lessons and Writing Tactics: Citational Practice (pp.151-163)

 

Oral Presentations on Three Types of Transitions (pp. 107-115), Repetition (pp. 188-190), Sentence Rhythm (pp. 196-202) and Ventilation (pp. 203-207)

 

Citation Assignment: (Due: 12/13)

 

Week 15

12/15

 

Style Lessons and Writing: Ending Well (pp. 130-139)

 

Writing an Academic Title, pp. 171-72; Titles and Subtitles, pp.140-41

Discuss your Citational Assignment

Title and Conclusion Assignment (Due 12/20)

 

Week 16

12/22

 

Writing an Abstract Conference Presentation

 

Discuss your Title and Conclusion Assignment

Conference Talks, pp. 164-66.

Abstract Assignment (to be submitted as a part of your research paper by 1/5)

 

Week 17

12/29

Conference Presentation

 

 

Week 18

1/5

Research Paper Due

 

 

 
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