研究生学术英语作教程Unit 1 Understanding Academic English.docVIP

Unit 1 Understanding Academic English Objectives: - Learn the purpose of this course - Get to understand different voices that people often use in their communication - Understand features of academic English - Build your learning ability via the Internet - Meet your teacher and new classmates Contents - Teacher’s introduction - Reading and discussion: How’s your voice? - Language focus: word choice, and structural complexity - Writing practice: understanding different styles - Rewriting practice: consolidating academic English writing skills - Classroom extension: Internet survey on features of academic English Reading Activity 1.1 Pre-reading Task Do you know how to write a paper with an academic voice? Most Chinese students use only the casual voice for their daily life purposes, which does not fit the academic writing style. When you can learn to use an academic voice and a formal writing style, you will gain authority and respect for yourself as a researcher as well as a research writer. Read the following three texts with different kinds of voice and tell what they differ in. 1.2 Reading Passage HOW’S YOUR VOICE? Casual Voice Hey, dude, no way you can sit here! Huzzah! We won! We beat ‘em! Ha! Blue Vampires. They think they’re so great. We showed ‘em. Go Aardvarks! Yuck! I hate broccoli with those nasty, stinkin’ mushrooms. Why do we gotta have these things again, man?! www, we gotta cancel the party ‘cause it’s totally raining like crazy! Sweeeet! I love those Indiana Jones movies! They’re awesome with the whip and the bugs and stuff. Everyone loves those flicks! Consultative Voice You’re not allowed to sit in this area, because it’s a safety concern. I’m so glad for our team, the great Fighting Aardvarks, and now together we celebrate this victory. I’d prefer not to have this particular vegetable again, if it’s possible. Does anyone really enjoy this combination of mushrooms and broccoli? It’s possible that our party might have to be postpone