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Introduction to Academic Writing
Introduction to academic writing
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:24:16
Abstract
This course is designed for students who intend to write academic texts such as research papers, reports, summaries and abstracts, etc. in English, either during their studies or in their future careers. The minimum entry level for the course is B2 on the European Framework Global Scale (http://www.sprachenzentrum.unizh.ch/info/niveaux.html.). The course is limited to a maximum of 20 participants.
Objective
The course aims to familiarise students with the specific requirements and conventions of academic writing in English, and to develop their active writing skills in this area. Note that this course does not focus primarily on improving participants’ general English language skills (such as grammar), though common problems that are of particular relevance to academic writing - such as relative clauses, passive structures, punctuation, etc. - will be addressed. Attention will also be paid to the development of the vocabulary and register that are considered appropriate to academic writing.
Content
As indicated above, the course will focus on both the techniques and the linguistic conventions of academic writing. Specific topics to be covered will include thesis development, paragraphing, coherence and cohesion, paraphrasing, references and quotations, etc. Students will be encouraged to produce written work that is based on their own fields of study or particular interest, and written assignments will be designed with this element of flexibility in mind.
Resources
Literature
We will use the course book “Academic Writing, a Handbook for International Students” by Stephen Bailey, which will be on sale - at a discount - in the first session of the course.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS
- Frequency
- Semesterly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| exercise |
Introduction to academic writing
Teilnehmerzahl beschränkt
|
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Language Center ETH/Uni (Please be advised that your online-registration at the language centre has to be simultaneous ( ) as otherwise your registration for the course will not be valid. External guest auditors are requested to register directly at the language center)
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