CareerComms Classroom  ·  Hanyang University  ·  CEEC Required

Research it. Write it. Present it.

PAE is not a grammar drill or a fill-in-the-blank exercise. You will choose a real topic, research it like a scholar, write an essay worth reading, and stand up and defend your ideas in front of the room.

See the Syllabus ↓ Access Workbook →
3
Phases
16
Weeks
800
Word Essay
25%
Final Presentation

Course Structure: 3 Phases, 1 Topic

You choose one topic at the start of the semester and develop it across all three phases — building from research skills into writing, then into a polished academic presentation.

Phase 1 · Weeks 1–5

Research & Presentation #1

Find your topic. Build the case.

Master library research, IEEE/APA citation formats, and thesis construction. Deliver your topic proposal as Presentation #1 — a 2–3 minute pitch on your research question and motivation.

Phase 2 · Weeks 6–11

Academic Writing

Paragraph → Essay → Polish

Learn essay architecture from the sentence up: PEA/LEAF paragraph structure, thesis mapping, cohesion, counter-argument, citations, and academic voice. Produce an 800-word research essay with 4 sources.

Phase 3 · Weeks 12–15

Final Presentation

Stand up. Defend your research.

Adapt your essay findings into a 4–6 minute academic presentation. Master Q&A strategies, visual slide design using CRAP principles, signposting, and confident vocal delivery.

Assignments & Deliverables

Every major assignment builds on the one before it — your paragraph becomes your essay; your essay becomes your final presentation.

✍️ Paragraph
10%
  • Single focused argument paragraph
  • CEEC standard formatting & indent
  • Develops directly into your final essay
  • Professor feedback in Week 1
📄 Academic Essay
25%
  • 800-word target, multiple paragraphs
  • 4 sources: 2 academic + 2 reliable
  • IEEE/APA citations and references
  • Writing Journal drafts required weekly
🎤 Presentation #1
10%
  • 2–3 minute topic proposal
  • Major relevance + research question
  • Motivations & expected findings
  • Annotated Bibliography due Week 3
🎯 Presentation #2
25%
  • 4–6 minute final research presentation
  • Clear thesis + restatement in conclusion
  • Live Q&A with audience
  • Video self-assessment required (4%)
📓 Homework & Participation
20%
  • Writing Journal — outlines & drafts (10%)
  • PPT drafts & self-reflections (10%)
  • In-class practice presentations (±0.5% each)
  • Active participation in English required
🗓️ Attendance
10%
  • Must attend at least 2/3 of classes to pass
  • Unexcused absence: −2 att., −1 participation
  • Up to 5 min late: −0.5 attendance
  • After 20 min: counted fully absent

Core Frameworks You'll Master

Academic skills aren't instincts — they're learnable frameworks. These are the tools practiced throughout every phase of the course.

FrameworkApplication
PEA / LEAFParagraph structure — Point, Evidence, Analysis / Link, Evidence, Analysis, Finish
IEEE / APAAcademic citation and reference formatting for engineering and humanities disciplines
CRAP PrinciplesVisual slide design — Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, Proximity
SignpostingOral transition language that guides listeners through complex ideas in real time
Thesis MappingHow your introduction pre-frames every argument that follows in the essay
Counter-ArgumentAcknowledge, concede, and refute opposing positions with academic confidence
Before-After-BridgeNarrative framing for introductions, conclusions, and persuasive passages
Q&A StrategyClarify, pause, reframe, and bridge back to your thesis under pressure

What You'll Produce by Week 15

A complete academic portfolio — skills and work samples that belong to you from day one.

📚Annotated Bibliography
✍️Academic Paragraph
📄800-Word Research Essay
🎤Topic Proposal Presentation
🎯Final Research Presentation
📹Video Self-Assessment

"The best academic writing doesn't hide behind passive voice and jargon. It argues — clearly, confidently, and with evidence the reader can check."

— Matthew Clement

How You're Graded

Grading is uncurved. Every percentage point is earned through work you produce and submit on time.

ComponentWeightDistribution
Final Presentation #2 25%
Academic Essay 25%
Homework & Participation 20%
Presentation #1 (Proposal) 10%
Paragraph Writing 10%
Attendance 10%

16-Week Syllabus

Week-by-week breakdown of topics, skills, and milestones. The schedule may shift due to holidays or university events.

Phase 1 · Research & Presentation #1 — Weeks 1–5
1–2Weeks

Foundations: Essay Structure & Research Methods

Class orientation, brainstorming, essay structure overview. Library usage, IEEE/APA formatting, and writing strong thesis statements.

3–4Weeks

Presentation Skills: Body Language, Voice & Visuals

Physical message and delivery prep. CRAP principles for slide design. Presentation practice. Annotated Bibliography due Week 3.

5Week

Presentation #1 — Topic Proposal

Present your topic, research question, and motivations. Feedback session. Research objectives & motivations due.

Phase 2 · Academic Writing — Weeks 6–11
6Week

Essay Types & Thesis Re-Development

Survey essay types. Refine your thesis based on Presentation #1 feedback. Topic Self-Reflection due.

7Week

Topic Sentences, Support & Citations

PEA/LEAF paragraph structure. Paraphrasing techniques. In-text citations and source integration.

8Week

Conjunctions, Cohesion & Peer Reviews

Transitions and cohesive devices. Peer review workshop. Paragraph due.

9Week

Introductions & Conclusions

Hook strategies, thesis placement, and conclusion techniques that answer "so what?"

10Week

Counter-Argument, Voice & Pronouns

Acknowledge and refute opposing views. Academic persona, hedging language, authorial voice. Essay Draft due.

11Week

Peer Reviews & Adapting Writing to Presentations

Final peer review round. Converting your essay argument into spoken presentation format. Essay due.

Phase 3 · Final Presentation Prep — Weeks 12–15
12Week

Advanced Presentation Methods & PPT Strategies

Advanced delivery techniques. PowerPoint design for maximum impact. Structure your 4–6 minute presentation.

13Week

Q&A Strategies

Handle questions with confidence: clarify, pause, reframe, bridge back to your thesis. Draft PPT due.

14Week

Q&A Practice & Final Prep

Mock Q&A sessions and final rehearsal. Feedback from peers and professor.

15Week

Presentation #2 — Final Research Presentation

4–6 minute live presentation with Q&A. Video self-assessment to follow. Final PPT due.

Instructor

Matthew Clement
Matthew Clement
Professor · CEEC · Hanyang University · Office #202 H.I.T Building

Matthew Clement teaches Professional Academic English and Multimedia Marketing at Hanyang University in Seoul. With 10+ years of experience in academic writing instruction, digital publishing, and presentation coaching, he brings a practical, portfolio-driven approach to every course. His PAE classes focus on building real academic skills — research, argumentation, and confident public speaking — using students' own major-related topics as the engine for every assignment.