MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

COURSE SPECIFICATION
I. General information
1. Course title in Vietnamese: Viết Học Thuật
2. Course title in English: Academic Writing
3. Course code: ENGL5307
4. Knowledge/Skills
General Major
✘ Foundation Additional
Discipline Graduation thesis
5. Credits

Total Theory Practice Self-study

3 2 1 3(2,1,5)
6. Administration of the course
a. Faculty:
b. Academics:
c. Email:
d. Room: 503, Ho Chi Minh City Open University,
35 – 37 Hồ Hảo Hớn, Cô Giang Ward, District 1
II. Course overview
1. Course description
Academic Writing, which should be taken in the sixth term of the second year, is an advanced
language skill course. The course content includes choosing a topic, researching, outlining, citing
information sources, and writing a complete essay/ paper. This course is also designed to equip
students with essential skills for academic writing, focusing on producing well-structured and
coherent research essays and papers. Throughout the course, students will gain knowledge of
academic text structures, develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills, and learn to
work independently as well as collaboratively.
2. Requirements

No. Requirements Code

1. Pre-requisites
2. Preceding courses
 No. Requirements Code
Reading – Writing 1 ENGL5302
Reading – Writing 2 ENGL5303
Reading – Writing 3 ENGL5304
Reading – Writing 4 ENGL5305
3. Co-courses
Advanced Reading ENGL5306
3. Course objectives
Course
Description PLOs
objectives
PLO7
PLO8
Provide students with knowledge of writing a
CO1 PLO9.1
research essay/ paper
PLO10

PLO7
Equip students with critical thinking skills, PLO8
CO2
problem solving skills, research skills PLO9.1
PLO10
Cultivate an attitude for independent and
collaborative work, fostering critical thinking,
proficiency in information technology, PLO7
CO3 exhibiting autonomy, and taking responsibility PLO8
for group as well as individual activities in PLO9.1
understanding readings and creating related PLO10
content within the subject matter.

4. Course learning outcomes (CLOs)

On completing the course, students will be able to:
Course
CLO Description
objectives
Discuss issues related to the structure and features of academic
CLO1.1
texts
CO1
CLO1.2 Evaluate the procedure for writing an academic paper

Synthesize the skills for choosing an appropriate topic,

CLO2.1 brainstorm ideas, searching for, evaluating, and document
CO2 sources to build an outline for the academic paper
Apply knowledge of features of an academic paper and
CLO2.2
academic writing skills to write a complete academic paper.
CO3 CLO3.1 Participate actively in groups, show respect towards other
group members, and take responsibility when working in
 Course
CLO Description
objectives
groups.
CLO3.2 Complete tasks on time.
Alignment of CLOs and PLOs

CLOs PL PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO
O1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9.1 10 11
1.1 x x x x
1.2 x x x x
1.3 x x x x
2.1 x x x x
3.1 x x x x
3.2 x x x x

5. Textbooks and materials

a. Textbook
[1] Zemach, D., Broudy, D., Valvona, C. (2023). Writing Research Papers: From Essay to
Research Paper. Macmillan Education
b. Other materials
Books
[2] Morley, J. (2023). Academic Phrasebank: An academic writing resource for students and
researchers. University of Manchester.
[3] Sternad, D., & Power, H. (2023). The thesis writing survival guide: Research and write an
academic thesis or dissertation with less stress. Harriman House.
Websites
[4] Empire State University. (n.d.). Research paper steps. SUNY Empire State College.
[[Link]
[5] The Present Writer. (2022). 3 bước làm bài nghiên cứu khoa học [Video]. YouTube.
[[Link]
[6] The Present Writer. (2022). Trích dẫn như thế nào để không bị đạo văn [Video]. YouTube.
[[Link]
v=f_7iyGlFpX0&list=PLrF6aXL7eSGNNFJu0jtsmvI6vL6UoP4cG&ab_channel=ThePresent
Writer]
c. Web application
[7] Moodle (2024). Ho Chi Minh City Open University [[Link]
6. Student assessment
 Assessment Assessment
Type of assessment CLOs Weight
methods time
(1) (2) (3) (4)
CLO1.1
A1.1 Choosing CLO2.1
Week 1 5%
topic (Group) CLO3.1
CLO3.2
CLO1.1
A1.2 Finding
CLO2.1
information Week 3 5%
CLO3.1
sources (Group)
CLO3.2
A1. Formative
CLO1.1
assessment
A1.3 Write an CLO2.1
Week 4 5%
outline (Group) CLO3.1
CLO3.2
CLO1.1
A1.4 Write and
CLO2.1
check citation Week 10 5%
CLO3.1
(Group)
CLO3.2
Total 20%
CLO1.1
A2.1 Write first CLO2.1
A2. Mid-term Week 5 20%
draft (Group) CLO3.1
assessment
CLO3.2
Total 20%
CLO1.1
A.3.1. Write CLO1.2
Deadline set
A3. End-of-course research essay/ CLO2.1 40%
by instructor
assessment paper (Individual) CLO2.2
CLO3.2
Total 60%
Total 100%

6. Teaching and learning methods:

Group presentations
Group discussions
Lecturing
Blended learning
Peer review activities
Collaborative Research Writing
7. Teaching and learning methods
Blended learning
Lecturing
Pair work Discussion
Group work Discussion
 Extensive and Close Reading Activities
Reflection paper writing
8. Teaching schedule
Week/ Student Textbooks
Content CLOs Teaching and learning
Session assessment and materials
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
1 Unit 2: Choosing a CLO1.1 In class: A1.1 [1], [2],
topic CLO2.1 3 periods of theory [3], [4],
Part 1: Selecting a CLO3.1 1,5 periods of practice
topic for your essay CLO3.2
[5], [7]
Instructor:
and research paper + Lectures
Part 2: Learning a + Instructs students to form
difference between a groups, discuss in groups, do
persuasive and an exercises, choose topics
expository research + Gives feedback on and
paper marks to students’ chosen
Part 3: Preparing to topics
write the first draft of Students:
your essay + In class: form groups,
discuss in groups, do
exercises, choose topics,
present topics to instructor
+ Practice on LMS: 1,5
periods – Read materials,
lectures, answer questions
+ Self-study: 9 periods – read
materials

(Students learn theory in class:

3 periods; practise in class: 1.5
periods; practise online: 1.5
periods; self-study: 9 periods)

2 Unit 4: Researching CLO1.1 In class: None [1], [2],

Part 1: Considering CLO2.1 3 periods of theory [3], [4],
sources of CLO3.1 1,5 periods of practice
information
[5], [7]
Instructor:
Part 2: Learning + Lectures
effective online + Instructs students to discuss
search techniques in groups, do exercises, find,
Part 3: Evaluating the evaluate, and take notes of
reliability of websites information sources
Part 4: Focussing your Students:
research + In class: discuss in groups,
do exercises, find, evaluate,
and take notes of information
sources
+ Practice on LMS: 1,5
periods – Read materials,
lectures, answer questions
+ Self-study: 9 periods – read
materials and find, evaluate,
and take notes of information
sources

(Students learn theory in class:

3 periods; practise in class: 1.5
periods; practise online: 1.5
periods; self-study: 9 periods)
Week/ Student Textbooks
Content CLOs Teaching and learning
Session assessment and materials
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

3 Unit 4: Researching CLO1.1 In class: A1.2 [1], [2], [3],

(continued) CLO2.1 3 periods of theory [5], [7]
Part 1: Considering CLO3.1 1,5 periods of practice
sources of CLO3.2 Instructor:
information + Gives feedback on and
Part 2: Learning marks to students’ information
effective online sources
search techniques Students:
Part 3: Evaluating the + In class: present information
reliability of websites sources to instructor
Part 4: Focussing your + Practice on LMS: 1,5
research periods – Read materials,
lectures, answer questions
+ Self-study: 9 periods – read
materials

(Students learn theory in class:

3 periods; practise in class: 1.5
periods; practise online: 1.5
periods; self-study: 9 periods)

4 Unit 5: Outlining CLO1.1 In class: A1.3 [1], [2], [3],

Part 1: Assessing your CLO2.1 3 periods of theory [5], [7]
progress with your CLO3.1 1,5 periods of practice
research Instructor:
Part 2: Learning some + Lectures
important vocabulary + Instructs students to discuss
for talking about in groups, do exercises, make
research papers outlines
Part 3: Looking at Students:
common patterns of + In class: discuss in groups,
organization do exercises, make outlines
Part 4: Practicing + Practice on LMS: 1,5
different types of periods – Read materials,
outlining techniques lectures, answer questions
Part 5: Writing an + Self-study: 9 periods – read
outline for your materials and complete
research paper outlines

(Students learn theory in class:

3 periods; practise in class: 1.5
periods; practise online: 1.5
periods; self-study: 9 periods)

5 Unit 5: Outlining CLO1.1 In class: A2.1 [1], [2], [3],

(continued) CLO2.1 3 periods of theory [5], [7]
Part 1: Assessing your CLO3.1 1,5 periods of practice
progress with your CLO3.2 Instructor:
research + Gives feedback on and
Part 2: Learning some marks to students’ outlines
important vocabulary Students:
for talking about + In class: present outlines to
research papers instructor
Part 3: Looking at + Practice on LMS: 1,5
common patterns of periods – Read materials,
organization lectures, answer questions
Part 4: Practicing + Self-study: 9 periods – read
Week/ Student Textbooks
Content CLOs Teaching and learning
Session assessment and materials
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
different types of materials
outlining techniques
Part 5: Writing an (Students learn theory in class:
outline for your 3 periods; practise in class: 1.5
research paper periods; practise online: 1.5
periods; self-study: 9 periods)

6 Unit 6: Avoiding CLO1.1 In class: None [1], [2], [3],

Plagiarism CLO1.2 3 periods of theory [4], [5], [6],
Part 1: Learning about CLO2.1 1,5 periods of practice [7]
the issue of plagiarism CLO2.2 Instructor:
and academic CLO3.1 + Lectures
expectations for + Instructs students to discuss
original work in groups, do exercises,
Part 2: Learning the practise quoting, paraphrasing,
importance of and building bibliographies
crediting sources Students:
Part 3: Understanding + In class: discuss in groups,
the issues related to do exercises, practise quoting
choosing what to and paraphrasing
quote and what to + Practice on LMS: 1,5
paraphrase periods – Read materials,
Part 4: Learning and lectures, answer questions
practicing techniques + Self-study: 9 periods – read
for quoting directly materials and complete
quotations paraphrases, and
bibliographies

(Students learn theory in class:

3 periods; practise in class: 1.5
periods; practise online: 1.5
periods; self-study: 9 periods)

7 Unit 6: Avoiding CLO1.1 In class: None [1], [2], [3],

Plagiarism CLO1.2 3 periods of theory [4], [5], [6],
(continued) CLO2.1 1,5 periods of practice [7]
Part 1: Learning about CLO2.2 Instructor:
the issue of plagiarism CLO3.1 + Gives feedback on and
and academic CLO3.2 marks to students’
expectations for bibliographies
original work Students:
Part 2: Learning the + In class: present
importance of bibliographies to instructor
crediting sources + Practice on LMS: 1,5
Part 3: Understanding periods – Read materials,
the issues related to lectures, answer questions.
choosing what to + Self-study: 9 periods – read
quote and what to materials
paraphrase
Part 4: Learning and (Students learn theory in class:
practicing techniques 3 periods; practise in class: 1.5
for quoting directly periods; practise online: 1.5
periods; self-study: 9 periods)

8 Unit 7: The CLO1.2 In class: None [1], [2], [3],

Language of the CLO2.2 3 periods of theory [4], [5], [6],
Research Paper 1,5 periods of practice [7]
Part 1: Learning and Instructor:
practicing techniques + Lectures
Week/ Student Textbooks
Content CLOs Teaching and learning
Session assessment and materials
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
for paraphrasing + Instructs students to do
Part 2: Looking at exercises
standard “moves” for Students:
performing various + In class: do exercises
functions in a research + Practice on LMS: 1,5
paper periods – Read materials,
Part 3: Considering lectures, answer questions
common grammatical + Self-study: 9 periods – read
structures in a materials
research paper
Part 4: Reviewing and (Students learn theory in class:
practicing using 3 periods; practise in class: 1.5
transitions periods; practise online: 1.5
periods; self-study: 9 periods)
9 Unit 9: In-Text CLO1.1 In class: None [1], [2], [3],
Citations CLO2.1 3 periods of theory [4], [5], [6],
Part 1: Learning about CLO3.1 1,5 periods of practice [7]
correct formatting for Instructor:
APA-style in-text + Lectures
citations + Instructs students to discuss
Part 2: Further in groups, do exercises,
practice deciding practise quoting and
whether to paraphrase paraphrasing in APA Style 7
or quote Students:
Part 3: Practicing + In class: discuss in groups,
paraphrasing and do exercises, practise quoting
quoting, using correct and paraphrasing in APA
in-text citations Style 7
Part 4: Conducting a + Practice on LMS: 1,5
peer review of a periods – Read materials,
classmate’s research lectures, answer questions
paper + Self-study: 9 periods – read
materials and complete
quotations and paraphrases in
APA Style 7

(Students learn theory in class:

3 periods; practise in class: 1.5
periods; practise online: 1.5
periods; self-study: 9 periods)

9. Course policy
- Policy on task submission: Students must submit the assessed tasks to deadlines. Those who
fail to submit the tasks to deadlines are considered having no submission and are assigned no
marks.
- Policy on attendance: Students must attend at least 8 sessions of the course.
- Policy on final examination: Students who are absent up to 2 sessions of the course are not
allowed to submit their research essays/ papers at the end of the term.
- Class rules: Students must fully complete all the activities required by the instructor in class.
Students must fully complete all the homework required by the instructor.
DEAN Academic

Dr. Nguyễn Thúy Nga MA. Mai Thị Hồng Dung