Assignment 1

Dear students,

welcome to the ENGBG1 Proficiency course and my blog. We had a good seminar today I think and I am really looking forward to working with you this term. I am glad to be able to tell you my train arrived only 5 minutes late in Norrköping this evening, leaving me time to post the first proficiency assignment before midnight (see below).

Please let me know the web address of your blog as soon as you have started it, so that I can post a list of links to everyone's blog here. Your first assignment is due by Sunday. You will receive comments from me on this one, and for the second assignment you will be expected to give each other peer response comments in accordance with a list which will be posted here as well.

As for the exam, we will have to agree on a specific time that suits (almost) everybody. We cannot do different groups at different times, unfortunately, without facing potential problems having to do with university standards for "cheat-proof" exams. My suggestion is Tuesday, April 13, either 9-13 or 13-17. Which alternative do you guys prefer?

Do the following individual assignment in your blog. The deadline is March 7.

1. Define the term "style" in the context of (academic) writing.

2. Find a piece of formal writing and a piece of informal writing, compare the two and list a few distinguishing features indicating to you which is which. Include an excerpt of each text in your blog.

3. Write two very short texts (5-10 sentences) on the same topic, using formal language in one piece and informal language in the other. Pick a simple topic - the focus is on the language.

Have fun!

Anna