6. Useful resources
On this assignment genre: https://elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/topics/reports.aspx http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/node/9048/
On hedging: English Language Centre (polyu.edu.hk)
On thesis statements and topic sentences:
http://icosa.hkbu.edu.hk/writing/specific-writing-genres-or-skills/scorm-thesis-statement-vs-topic-sentence/index.htm
On referencing and citations: http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/Referencing/ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/resources.html
On first person pronouns and the passive voice in scientific writing: https://blog.oup.com/2018/01/first-person-pronouns-passive-voice-scientific-writing/
On academic phrases for various purposes: http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/
References
Books and journal articles
McMillan, K., & Weyers, J. (2011). How to write dissertations & project reports. Harlow: Pearson.
Nesi, H., & Gardner, S. (2012). Genre across the disciplines: Student writing in higher education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Silyn-Roberts, H. (2012). Writing for science and engineering: Papers, presentations and reports. London: Elsevier.
Project deliverables
English Language Centre. (2016). Supporting and developing students’ English literacy practices in the disciplines: Genre guide to project report in Applied Mathematics. (Unpublished project deliverable). The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
English Language Centre. (2018). Developing an open platform for writing support in the disciplines across the faculties: Genre analysis of project reports. (Unpublished project deliverable). The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
EWRite is an open access online literacy platform for PolyU community that has two major objectives:
This platform provides access to generic genre guides representing typical university assignments as well as links to subjects offered by faculties with specific disciplinary genres and relevant support materials.
The materials can be retrieved by students by choosing the genres that interest them on the landing page. Each set of materials includes a genre guide, genre video, and a genre checklist. The genre guide and video are to summarize the genres in two different ways (i.e. textual and dynamic) to fit different learning styles. The genre checklist is for students to self-regulate their writing process. The genre guide and checklist include links to various ELC resources that can provide further explanation to language items (e.g. hedging and academic vocabulary).
The platform also acts as a one-stop-shop for writing resources for students, language teachers and subject leaders. Information about the English Writing Requirement policy can also be found on this platform. There are training materials for new colleagues joining the EWR Liaison Team.