Course Outline English Dept

FACULTY OF MUSIC, SOCIAL SCIENCE AND DESIGN

JANUARY – APRIL 2010
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Course title : Expository Writing

Course code : SE 114
Credit hours :3
Pre-requisite : English Foundation
Lecturer : Lilian Leong Swee Yoke
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a writing course with particular attention to writing decisively and analytically.
Emphasis is also given to academic reading and critical thinking. Class discussions and
small group workshops focus on problems of technique and style in expository essay
writing.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the semester, students should be able to:
• Identify the thesis / topic sentence as well as types of details
• Distinguish the objective of various writers and analyse the validity of their
arguments or refute them by providing substantial counter-arguments.
• Make deductions, inferences, hypothesis, predictions
• Read and evaluate literary topics
• Detect fallacies, and differentiate facts from opinions
• Write and think in a convincing manner taking into consideration the social,
economical, scientific, and ethical implications when examining issues
• Become more incisive readers as they explore and discuss a wide spectrum of
topics from literary texts and current issues

GRADING:
Grammar test 10%
Assignments (2) 20%
Mid-term 30%
Final exam 40%
Total 100%

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Course Outline English Dept

CONTENT:

1. Introduction: The Principles and Practice in Composing Expository Essays

i. Introductory paragraphs – techniques and styles to recognize and write an
effective introductory paragraph
ii. Conclusions – concluding thought, summary, and implication
iii. Details – methods of supporting arguments through examples, classification and
division, and process analysis
iv. Patterns and techniques that add variety to writing – analogy, prediction,
hypothesis, refutation, and convincing arguments, and discussion
v. Autobiographical writing

2. Part I: Critical Reasoning

i. Distinguishing passive reading vs. critical reasoning
ii. Studying the anatomy of arguments – identifying premises and conclusions
iii. Evaluating arguments – asking questions, making inferences, and recognizing
generalizations and fallacies

3. Part II: Self-directed Studies

i. Reading literary texts and other materials for a deduction project
ii. Presenting and assessing group projects
iii. Writing ongoing article, book and movie reviews on controversial subjects

MAIN TEXT:

Skwire, D. & Skwire, S. E. (1998). Writing with a thesis: A rhetoric and reader. 7th
Edition. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Clifford, J. & DiYanni, R. (1993). Modern American prose. Massachusetts: McGraw-Hill

DiYanni, R. & Hoy, P. C. (1995). The Scribner handbook for writers. Boston: Allyn &
Bacon.
Eschholz, P. & Rosa, A. (Ed.) Subject and strategy: A rhetoric reader. 4th Edition. New
York: St. Martin’s Press.
Gould, E., DiYanni, R., & Smith, W. (1989). The act of writing. New York: McGraw-
Hill Publishing Company.
Guth, H. P. & Shea, R. H. (1987). Essay 2: Reading with the writer’s eye. California:
Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Hall, D. & Birkets. (1991). Writing well. Harvard: Harper Collins Publishers.
Levin, G. (1980). Short essays: Models for composition. New York: Harcourt Brace
Jovanich.
Scull, Sharon. (1987). Critical reading & writing for advanced ESL students. New
Jersey: Prentice Hall Regents.

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Course Outline English Dept

CLASS POLICIES:
• Readings
o Students are highly advised to read articles and handouts distributed
before class.

• Lecture & discussion

o Class lectures and discussion will include materials from the main text
along with supplementary information from other sources. Discussion can
serve to clarify lectures and readings as well as introduce interesting
examples from real life situations. Students are encouraged to ask
questions and highlight related concerns before, during, or after class.

• Term paper & presentation

o A detailed guideline for the term paper and presentation will be given and
discussed accordingly in class. Students are advised to follow this
guideline properly so as to benefit most from doing the assigned tasks as
well as to avoid from losing crucial marks.

• Tests and final exam

o Tests and exam will mainly cover various styles of writing, contexts and
issues discussed throughout the semester and will be based on
understanding. Critical analyses as well as applied aspects are
expected to be the main strength of these assessments. Please take note
once again that these assessments are merely meant to fulfill half of
the requirement and not a real projection of student’s full
comprehension on the subject matter.

• Consultation hours
o Students are indeed welcome to see and discuss with the course instructor
regarding any queries. However, do take note on the specific hours
allocated for consultation. It is strongly advisable for students to come
and consult during this time. If it is not possible to conform to the
time due to some urgency, students can communicate with the
instructor via email and e-forum.

CONSULTATION HOURS:
Mondays & Wednesdays : 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesdays & Thursdays : 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
(Other days/time by appointment only)

Lecturer’s email: lilianleongsy@ucsi.edu.my

Lecturer’s contact number (office): 03-91018880 ext. 3335