NCHU Course Outline
Course Name (中) 文學研究方法與寫作(6024)
(Eng.) Research Methodology and Critical Writing for Literature
Offering Dept Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
Course Type Required Credits 3 Teacher Ho, TAI-CHUN
Department Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures/Graduate Language English Semester 2024-FALL
Course Description This semester-long course introduces first-year MA students to the elements of scholarly writing in humanities. From formulating a research question to marshalling a wide variety of primary and secondary sources to writing up research findings, the instructor will guide participants through the process of composing a research paper based on a topic of their interest. We will consider, among other things, the conventions of scholarly writing (such as citational practices), the key to a clear and concise writing style, the research resources, the basic yet essential writing skills (such as summarizing and paraphrasing), and the structures that govern the production of a good piece of writing. Throughout the semester students are expected to read a range of materials and engage in weekly tasks intended not only to complete the final writing assignment of this course but also to develop the professional writing skills necessary for the success of their MA theses.
Prerequisites
self-directed learning in the course Y
Relevance of Course Objectives and Core Learning Outcomes(%) Teaching and Assessment Methods for Course Objectives
Course Objectives Competency Indicators Ratio(%) Teaching Methods Assessment Methods
1) Become familiar with the conventions of scholarly writing in humanities
2) learn how to summarize, paraphrase and cite sources with accuracy and concision while articulating their voices and arguments
3) develop analytical and critical skills in academic writing
4) have completed a series of writing tasks leading to the completion of a substantial piece of research paper
5) have a better understanding of the steps involved in writing a research paper
topic Discussion/Production
Networking/Distance Education
Exercises
Discussion
Lecturing
Written Presentation
Attendance
Oral Presentation
Assignment
Course Content and Homework/Schedule/Tests Schedule
Week Course Content
Week 1 9/10 Introduction
In-Class Activities:
1) What is academic writing?
2) What professional skills should an MA lit student possess?
3) Be prepared to speak about your research interests and potential topics

Assignments:
A. Read the Introduction, Chapters 1 and 16 of They Say/I Say (pp. 1-31, pp. 234-251).
B. Read “Documenting Source: An Overview” in Chapter 4 of the MLA Handbook (pp. 95-104)
C. Research Journal Assignment
Week 2 9/17 (Holiday)
Week 3 9/24 Entering the conversation
In-Class Activities
Journal Report
1) Discuss your reading of They Say/I Say
2) Discuss the importance
of avoiding plagiarism

Assignments:
A. Read ‘The Art of Summarizing’, ‘The Art of Quoting’ (pp. 32-46, 47-58 They Say/I Say)
B. Reading Assignment: Harold Bloom’s Preface to The Anxiety of Influence
C. Research Journal Assignment
Week 4 10/1 Finding a topic/Summaries

In-Class Activities:
Journal Report
1) Discuss your reading of They Say/I Say
2) Discuss Bloom’s Preface

Assignments:
A. Write a 100-word summary of Bloom’s Preface to The Anxiety of Influence (Due by 10/6)
B. Read selected passages from Gilbert and Gubar’s The Madwoman in the Attic
C. Research Journal Assignment
Week 5 10/8 Summaries

In-Class Activities:
Journal Report
1) Discuss your
summaries of Bloom’s Preface
2) Discuss The
Madwoman in the Attic

Assignments:
A. Write a 100-word summary of The Madwoman in the Attic (Due by 10/13)
B. Read Chapters 4 and 5 of They Say/I Say, pp. 59- 83.
C. Research Journal Assignment
Week 6 10/15 Critiques

In-Class Activities:
Journal Report
1) Discuss your reading of They Say/I Say
2) Discuss your summary of The Madwoman in the Attic

Assignments:
A. Write a 100-word critique of The Anxiety of Influence or The Madwoman in the Attic (Due by 10/20)
B. Read a critical essay of the instructor’s choice
C. Research Journal Assignment
Week 7 10/22 Critiques/Documentation

In-Class Activities:
Journal Report
1) Discuss your critique assignment
2) Discuss your reading of the critical essay

Assignments:
A. Read and critique a critical essay of your choice (Due by 10/27)
B. Read Part I of the MLA Handbook (pp. 3-53)
Week 8 10/29 Documentation/Annotated Bibliography

In-Class Activities:
Journal Report
Discuss your critique assignment

Assignments:
A. Read Chapter 5 of the MLA Handbook (pp. 105-226)
B. Annotated bibliography assignment (Due by 11/3)
Week 9 11/5 Literature Review

In-Class Activities:
1) Discuss the critical essays you’ve read
2) Discuss your annotated bibliography assignment

Assignments:
A. Read Chapter 6 of the MLA Handbook (pp. 227-250)
B. Literature Review assignment (Due by 11/10)
Week 10 11/12 Research Proposal/Thesis statement/In-text Citations

In-Class Activities:
Discuss your Lit Review assignment

Assignments:
Research Proposal (Due 11/17)
Week 11 11/19 Giving feedback on research proposal

In-Class Activities:
Speak about your research proposal

Assignments:
First draft of your research paper (Due 12/3)
Week 12 11/26 Style Lessons and Writing Tactics:
The Uneven U (pp. 59-80)

In-Class Activities:
Oral Presentations on Lessons 1-3
Titles and Subtitles, pp.140-41

Assignments:
The Uneven U Assignment: (Due 12/1)
Title and Conclusion Assignment (Due 12/1)
Week 13 12/3 Style Lessons and Writing Tactics/Introductions (pp. 89-98)

In-Class Activities:
Oral Presentations on Lessons 4-6
Discuss your 1) The Uneven U Assignment 2) Title and Conclusion Assignment

Assignments:
Introduction Assignment (Due 12/08)
Week 14 12/10
Writing Tactics: Citational Practice (pp.151-163)
Giving Feedback on the first draft of your research paper

In-Class Activities: Discuss your Introduction

Assignments:
Citation Assignment: (Due: 12/15)
Week 15 12/17
Style Lessons and Writing: Ending Well (pp. 130-139)
Writing an Abstract Conference Presentation

In-Class Activities:
Discuss your Citational Assignment
Conference Talks, pp. 164-66.

Assignments:
Prepare your conference Presentation
Week 16 12/14 Conference Presentation

Assignments:
Conclusion Assignment


Week 17 12/31 Self-Learning Week

Assignments:
Abstract Assignment (to be submitted as a part of your research paper by 1/2)
Week 18 1/7 Research Paper Due
Evaluation
Grades
20% Writing Assignments (journal reports, summaries and critiques of the primary and secondary texts, as well as annotated bibliography)
10% Oral Presentations
15% attendance and participation
5 % Conference Paper Presentation
50% Research Paper (a paper of 3000 words to be submitted by 1/7; first draft is due by 12/3)

Your paper will be graded by the following criteria
A. Articulate a clear argument/position
B. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the topic
C. Demonstrate subject knowledge in a logical structure
D. Contain relevant and sufficient support for claim(s) or point(s) made.
E. Offer adequate analysis of the primary texts.
F. Appropriate use of citations for quotes and materials consulted
G. Clarity of Writing (Grammar, Sentence Structure, Punctuation and Style)

You should type and submit your assignments electronically on time. There is a 10 point penalty for each day late. Any homework that is copied from another source will receive a “0.”


Textbook & other References
They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein (Sixth Edition)
Style Lessons in Clarity and Grace (11th Edition)
The Elements of Academic Style: Writing For The Humanities by Eric Hayot
MLA Handbook (9th Edition)
Photocopied Materials
Teaching Aids & Teacher's Website
Supplementary Materials and Online Resources via I-Learning
Office Hours
Monday 15:10:17:00 (by appointment)
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