MPU 3232 Academic Writing (ODL-NU224)

Dear Students,

This module will be conducted using online mode with the combination of Synchronous and Asynchronous self-directed-learning (SDL) sessions conducted via activities on this e-learning page.

The learning activities include individual, paired, and group tasks designed to build your confidence and skills in the English language, writing and critical thinking. These sessions will be facilitated by a lecturer. Attendance for the SYNCHRONOUS sessions is compulsory, and attendance will be taken and counted.

The asynchronous activities include guided reading for each lesson. You are to view the interactive lectures/read the lecture notes and attempt the quizzes in all topics in a timely manner. All asynchronous/self-directed learning sessions have quizzes or activities to be completed and your attempts in the quizzes will be counted as part of the attendance. 
These quizzes can be completed any time BEFORE the given deadline(s) as stated on each of the quizzes or activities. 

When required, prepare the worksheets/materials that will be used in the synchronous sessions. Students are encouraged to interact with the lecturer and each other and participate in all activities during the online synchronous sessions to achieve the learning outcomes of the module. 
All instructions for your in-course assessments are provided in the eLearn page. Please read them carefully and seek clarification from your lecturer if you are uncertain of anything. 
Submission for all the assessments: Individual Written Assignments, as well as Group Project (collaborative writing), will be via online. Please refer to the deadlines as given to ensure you complete and submit these on time.
Should you need further advice on the module, do contact me via email: Thulasimani@imu.edu.my 
Should anyone require assistance with the e-learning portal, please do not hesitate to contact our e-Learn team at elearning@imu.edu.my.

Sincerely,
Dr Thulasimani Munohsamy
Module Coordinator

ATTENDANCE
* REMINDER: Failure to meet 75% attendance will result in students being barred from the End of Module Examination and deemed as FAIL.

OVERVIEW

This module aims to help students learn the fundamentals of writing an academic essay in either compare-contrast or cause-effect presentation. Students will find the writing skills taught here useful when they are required to write review papers and full academic research papers in the course of their studies in IMU and in their later professional life. The approach adopted here is step-by-step, with clear, relevant models provided to demonstrate good writing. Students are encouraged to do their own research and to practice their writing skills on their own throughout their study in IMU. This module aims to enable students to express themselves in academic register, utilising the theories and conventions of writing that include paraphrasing, summarising and referencing. Reading material and assignments will focus on various health-related articles and topics.

OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of this module are to:

1. To introduce students to theory and conventions of academic writing
2. To introduce students to the rules of citation as used in the Vancouver style guide
3. To optimise students’ use of written English in various academic styles
4. To develop students’ clarity of thought and research skills

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

On completion of this module, the students should be able to:

CLO1: produce the academic essays in compare-contrast and cause-effect style using proper citation and referencing

CLO2: develop coherent essays by applying summarizing, paraphrasing, and synthesising strategies

CLO3: apply accurate English language register for academic writing purposes