English Stylistics in Practice - AAA130183

• Title: Anglická stylistika v praxi
• Guaranteed by: Department of the English Language and ELT Methodology (21-UAJD)
• Faculty: Faculty of Arts
• Actual: from 2017
• Semester: winter
• Points: 0
• E-Credits: 3
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:0/2, C [HT]
• Capacity: unknown / unknown (unknown)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: not taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Additional information: http://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=650
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: Mgr. Sarah Jane Gráfová, BA
• Pre-requisite : AAA230012

Annotation

Last update: Mgr. Zuzana Freitas Lopesová (06.11.2017)

The seminar provides participants with the opportunity to improve their written style in a concentrated and
practical fashion, with each session highlighting one particular aspect for special consideration. Through a
combination of (a) brief, varied and highly focussed textual tasks, (b) group discussion and (c) concentrated
tutor feedback students will increase their awareness of specific ways in which their own writing may be
improved as well as honing their editing and text-evaluation skills not only to the benefit of their current
academic activities but also in preparation for possible future employment in English teaching or in other
fields involving working with English text. They will also become familiar with the most commonly used text
editorial signs and will fine-tune their oral evaluation skills. In addition, the seminar may function as
something of a 'style surgery' for specific queries, depending on the needs and current writing interests of
individual participants. This elective course is aimed at third-year bachelor's students on the Anglistikaamerikanistika
programme.

Course completion requirements

Last update: Mgr. Zuzana Freitas Lopesová (08.11.2017)

- attendance (max. two absences)

- active contribution to discussions [30 % of total assessment]

- completion of brief weekly tasks by stated deadlines (task list to be posted on Moodle at the start of term)

[30 % of total assessment]

- completion of concluding textual assignment (a short piece of original writing on a selected topic) [40 % of

total assessment]

 

Všechny požadavky pro zápočet je nutné splnit do konce zkouškového období akademického roku, ve kterém si student předmět zapsal.

Literature

Last update: BRUHOVA/PEDF.CUNI.CZ (06.09.2012)

The following are recommended as background reading:

Crystal, D. (2000, second edition) Who Cares About English Usage?, London, Penguin Books

Simpson, P. (2004) Stylistics - a resource book for students, London, Routledge

Wright, L. & J. Hope (1996) Stylistics - a practical coursebook, London, Routledge

 

Besides the above, regular reference will be made to various usage studies and style manuals including the following:

Chicago Manual of Style, The (2006, 15th edition), Chicago, University of Chicago

Marsh, D (2007) Guardian Style, London, Guardian Books

Ritter, R. M. (2002) The Oxford Guide to Style, Oxford, Oxford University Press

 

Syllabus

Last update: BRUHOVA/PEDF.CUNI.CZ (06.09.2012)

1. Having fun in style

 ...in which we take a light-hearted look at a selection of the most common stylistic errors and weaknesses and

outline a 'troubleshooting' strategy

(Introduction)

2. Getting it right

 ...in which we focus on grammatical accuracy, root out needless slips and pinpoint fossilized errors

(focus: Correctness)

3. Making sense

 ...in which we structure sentences, relate clauses, use conjuncts, refine word order and organize paragraphs

(focus: Logic)

4. Putting your finger on it

 ...in which we fine-tune meaning and avoid ambiguity

(focus: Precision)

5. Keeping to the point

 ...in which we avoid wordiness and steer clear of tautologies and pleonasms

(focus: Relevance)

6. The long and the short of it

 ...in which we look at ellipsis, abbreviation and contraction

(focus: Economy)

7. To comma or not to comma?

 ...in which we master punctuation and, in particular, use of the English comma

(focus: Readability)

8. The same difference

 ...in which we delve deeper into synonymity and antonymity and further develop lexical variety and contrast

(focus: Variety)

9. Letting it flow

 ...in which we vary sentence length and rhythm, avoid stilted structures and work on cohesive devices

(focus: Cohesion)

10. The likes of them

 ...in which we draw upon metaphor and simile

(focus: Imagination)

11. Pitching it right

 ...in which we establish and maintain register and pay attention to situation, politeness and convention

(focus: Register)

12. Watching your tongue, watching your pen

 ...in which we look not at what  to use, but when and where to use it, and how to euphemize

(focus: Slang and appropriateness)

13. Time to conclude, finish and have done with it

 ...in which we produce and discuss a final checklist of points for stylistic improvement and receive tutor

feedback on final written assignments

(Closing session)