Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
50565:Academic Writing Skills I (PA) § 50566:Academic Writing Skills (PA) 2025 Fall Mon1 College　Of　Policy　Science KOJIMA NAOKO 2

Campus

OIC

Class Venue

AS451

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This course will prepare you to take classes in English and write a well-structured academic essay with vivid descriptions and sophisticated ideas. You will experience writing several essays following steps of writing an academic essay (i.e., choosing a right topic, brainstorming, outlining, drafting, peer-review, and revising). You are expected to work collaboratively in group discussions and pair work to maximize your learning.

Student Attainment Objectives

When you complete this course, you should be able to:
1. feel comfortable in writing English,
2. understand what a good academic paper in English is,
3. understand the steps to write a good academic essay, and
4. build communities that will help enhance your learning in CRPS.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

Course orientation & introduction to Descriptive essay

Course orientation
Introduction to essay writing
Structure of academic writing
Interview a partner
Brainstorming & outlining
[+R Jugyo] Information for + R Jugyo will be posted on Manaba +R

2ー3

Writing task 1 – Descriptive essay

Work on the 1st draft
Writing a good paragraph (topic, concluding sentences, supporting ideas)

4

Writing task 1 – Descriptive essay

Peer review
Revise
Submit the first draft

5

Writing task 1 – Descriptive essay

Revise
Submit the final draft

6

Writing task 2 – Process essay

Decide a topic
Brainstorming and outlining

7

Writing task 2 – Process essay

Writing introduction & conclusion
Write the first draft

8–9

Writing task 2- Process essay

Peer-review
Revise
Submit the final draft

10

Writing task 3- Argumentative essay

Introduction to writing an argumentative essay (e.g., how to support one’s argument, plagiarism, citations)
Choosing a good topic

11

Writing task 3- Argumentative essay

Research the topic & brainstorming
Outlining

12

Writing task 3- Argumentative essay

Working on the 1st draft

13

Writing task 3- Argumentative essay

Peer-review
Writing a good title
Revise
Submit the first draft

14

Writing task 3- Argumentative essay

Submit the final draft

Class Format

14 face-to-face classes

Recommendations for Private Study

Writing takes time, so work on your writing at home as well.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

80-90 % (Homework, In-class assignments, Essays, Final quiz)
10-20 % (Participation)

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

You must attend more than two-thirds of the course to be graded

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

1. This course content is subject to change depending on the students’ needs, but the goals of the course will be consistent with this syllabus.
2. You can reach the instructor at nkojimaatfc.ritsumei.ac.jp (at needs to be replaced by @).
【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/