Unit 1: Writing at University Level

Session 1: Communicating Through Speech and Writing

• Writing at university and in professional contexts requires clarity and conciseness; exposition is central to this course.

• Distinguish oral vs written communication:

  • Oral features: pronouns (I, you, we), contractions, immediate feedback, markers (ok?, you follow?), slang, hedges, speech markers (so, well), fewer punctuation cues, fast/unplanned delivery, possible sentence fragments.

  • Written features: formal language, strict grammar, longer precise terms (e.g., $\text{automobile}$ vs. car), no contractions, avoid slang, impersonal tone (limited use of first person; third person preferred; you rarely used in formal writing), careful coherence and structure.

• Registers (formal vs informal) and communicative competence:

  • Ability to select an appropriate register for context.

  • Joos\' five clocks: Frozen, Deliberative, Consultative, Casual, Intimate.

  • Codeswitching can occur in speech; formal, standard language required in writing.

• Language and professional advancement: effective communication supports career success.

• Summary takeaway: Writing is a formal, standardized mode that requires awareness of register, audience, and coherence to convey information clearly.

Session 2: Writing in the Academic Context: Expository and other Modes of Writing

• Four main writing modes at the tertiary level: $4$ modes are Exposition, Argumentation, Technical, Narrative.

• Expository writing:

  • Purpose: inform, explain, describe, or define information about a topic or process.

  • Key qualities: clarity, coherence (paragraphs tied to a single point; logical order between paragraphs), credibility, and objectivity.

• Core attributes of the four modes (summary):

  • Exposition: Purpose — communicate information for explanation; Audience — seeking information; Language — formal, standard, objective.

  • Argumentative: Purpose — support a controversial view; Audience — consider opposing views; Language — can be formal or informal; emotive elements allowed.

  • Narrative: Purpose — convey human experience; Audience — share imaginative/dramatic truth; Language — descriptive, can be formal/informal.

  • Technical: Purpose — deliver technical information; Audience — specialists; Language — formal, impersonal, with technical jargon.

• Language registers and category framework:

  • Five registers (Joos/Jago): Frozen, Deliberative, Consultative, Casual, Intimate; and the broader formal vs informal distinction.

  • Codeswitching: common in speech; writing should adhere to formal, standard language.

• Brainstorming: a preparatory technique to organize ideas and determine content order before writing.

• Methods of exposition (five options): $Analysis\ by\ Division$, $Cause\ and\ Effect\ Analysis$, $Classification$, $Process\ Analysis$, $Comparison\ and\ Contrast$.

• The structure of an expository essay:

  • Introduction: identify topic, provide background, state significance, present thesis (focus and method).

  • Body: paragraphs with a clear main point (topic sentence) and supporting details; typically around $3$ paragraphs in exam settings.

  • Conclusion: restate main points, reinforce thesis; no new information.

• Sample and comparisons:

  • Distinguish passages A–D by their purpose (storytelling vs technical vs issue-based vs argument-based).

  • Readership and writing levels: different documents target different audiences and require appropriate levels of technicality and formality (e.g., daily newspapers vs PhD theses).

• Wrap-up: Expository writing is one of $4$ main modes; it requires coherence, credibility, and objectivity; brainstorming and appropriate structure are essential.

Session 3: Structuring the Expository Essay

• Expository writing in higher education spans disciplines (math, engineering, literature) and centers on decision-making about topic, audience, and method.

• Learning goals for this session:

  • Outline preparatory tasks and provide rationale.

  • Choose suitable brainstorming technique.

  • Identify main exposition methods.

  • Identify and describe main parts of the expository essay.

  • Evaluate sample expository essays.

• Preparatory tasks before writing:

  • Topic: determine scope (broad vs specific); assess sufficiency of knowledge; consider level of generality.

  • Knowledge: ensure adequate understanding; avoid unfounded information.

  • Sources: use verifiable, authoritative sources; verify facts beyond a single source when possible.

  • Audience: tailor content to context, time constraints, and reader needs; example mappings of readership to writing level exist (e.g., general audience vs technical readers).

  • Time: plan writing schedule.

• Topic and scope considerations:

  • A broad topic grants flexibility; a narrowly defined topic requires targeted information.

  • Uninformed writers lose credibility; fill in knowledge gaps for the audience.

• Sources and verification:

  • Internet as a key resource; evaluate for soundness and relevance; cross-check against other sources.

• Audience and purpose:

  • Tailor information to audience needs and constraints; different readerships demand different levels of detail and language.

• Brainstorming and planning:

  • Use brainstorming to generate and organize significant points; organize content before drafting.

• Five methods of exposition (recap): $Analysis\ by\ Division$, $Cause\ and\ Effect$, $Classification$, $Process\ Analysis$, $Comparison\ and\ Contrast$.

• Essay organization overview:

  • Introduction, Body, Conclusion with a logical progression linking ideas.

  • Introduction should present topic, background, significance, and thesis; body develops main points; conclusion summarizes without introducing new information.

• The expository essay sample: “Factors in Choosing a Career” demonstrates analysis by division and shows how a thesis guides paragraph organization.

• Writing quality indicators (from activities):

  • Clear topic identification, purposeful thesis, well-developed paragraphs, precise language, coherent progression, and a strong conclusion.

• Wrap-up and takeaway:

  • Expository essays require careful topic selection, credible sources, audience awareness, and clear structure; the next unit will focus more deeply on the thesis statement.