Bachelor
2025/2026
Academic Writing
Type:
Compulsory course (HSE University and Kyung Hee University Double Degree Programme in Economics and Politics in Asia)
Delivered by:
Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs
When:
1 year, 1-4 module
Online hours:
20
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
Course Syllabus
Abstract
As an introduction to university writing, this course will take students through the necessary elements of writing for academic purposes: the process itself, its genres, features and conventions. This includes the writing process, factual and analytical writing, organizing various essay types, developing a thesis, evaluating information, providing supporting evidence, and citing and referencing outside sources. Starting from general culture-specific and stylistic features of academic writing in English, students will work their way through the writing process, including prewriting research, drafting and revising, editing and proofreading, towards larger academic essays. Alongside with the key theoretical concepts and major practical issues, the course will develop knowledge of linguistic structures, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling, through practice in composing and revising. Students will write something for or in every class. During the course, the students will be familiarized with theory of argumentation and develop basic research skills.
Learning Objectives
- Мastering the key theoretical concepts of the given subject;
- understanding the genre conventions;
- gaining experience reading critically;
- locating and evaluating primary and secondary research materials;
- writing different types of academic essays
- developing the effective use of language;
- preparing students for writing for other disciplines.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- demonstrate proficiency in written academic English
- understand features of various written texts and be able to incorporate them in their own writing
- be aware of formal writing conventions
- use strategies of effective written communication
- enrich academic vocabulary and extend grammar range to write coherent paragraphs
- produce clear text using appropriate logical connectors
- be able to manage their own writing process through different strategies of prewriting (brainstorming, drafting…)
- be able to critically evaluate sources of information
- develop effective arguments using a variety of rhetorical techniques (examples, statistics, authoritative quotations…)
- master academic citation standards
Course Contents
- Overview of the course. Writing process:
- Writing process:
- Paragraph structure:
- Supporting details:
- Paragraph:
- Module 1 Test
- From paragraph to essay:
- Introductory paragraph:
- Body paragraph:
- Body paragraph II:
- Body paragraph III:
- Punctuation rules:
- Module 2 Test
- Academic essays:
- Academic essays II:
- Academic essays III:
- Sentence structure:
- Process essay:
- Cause/effect essay:
- Exam
- Comparison/contrast essay:
- Argumentative essay:
- Argumentative essay II:
- Mid-term test
- Writing an essay in class:
- Writing an essay in class II:
- Writing an essay:
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 3rd module0.25 * Attendance/participation + 0.3 * Exam + 0.25 * Module 1, 2 Tests + 0.2 * Writtten assessment
- 2025/2026 4th module0.25 * Attendance/participation + 0.3 * Exam + 0.25 * Midterm test + 0.2 * Writtten assessment
