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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 → Lecture Decks →
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
  • standard formatting & indent
  • Develops directly into your final essay
  • Professor feedback in Week 1
Open Paragraph handout →
📄 Academic Essay
25%
  • 800-word target, multiple paragraphs
  • 4 sources: 2 academic + 2 reliable
  • IEEE/APA citations and references
  • Writing Journal drafts required weekly
Open Essay handout →
🎤 Presentation #1
10%
  • 2–3 minute topic proposal
  • Major relevance + research question
  • Motivations & expected findings
  • Annotated Bibliography due Week 3
Open Presentation #1 handout →
🎯 Presentation #2
25%
  • 4–6 minute final research presentation
  • Clear thesis + restatement in conclusion
  • Live Q&A with audience
  • Video self-assessment required (4%)
Open Presentation #2 handout →
📓 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.

Assignment handouts ↑Lecture decks →
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.

Week 1 deck →Week 2 deck →
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.

Week 3 deck →Week 4 deck →
5Week

Presentation #1 — Topic Proposal

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

Lecture deck →Presentation #1 handout →
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.

Lecture deck →
7Week

Topic Sentences, Support & Citations

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

Lecture deck →
8Week

Conjunctions, Cohesion & Peer Reviews

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

Lecture deck →Paragraph handout →
9Week

Introductions & Conclusions

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

Lecture deck →
10Week

Counter-Argument, Voice & Pronouns

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

Lecture deck →Essay handout →
11Week

Peer Reviews & Adapting Writing to Presentations

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

Lecture deck →Essay handout →
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.

Lecture deck →
13Week

Q&A Strategies

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

Lecture deck →Presentation #2 handout →
14Week

Q&A Practice & Final Prep

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

Lecture deck →
15Week

Presentation #2 — Final Research Presentation

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

Presentation #2 handout →

Instructor

Matthew Clement
Matthew Clement
Associate Professor · Office #202 H.I.T Building

Matthew Clement teaches Professional Academic English and Multimedia Marketing in Seoul. With almost 25 years of teaching, and 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.