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English Language Centre, Unit Catalogue 2009/10


EL10690: Academic writing for taught masters

Click here for further information Credits: 3
Click here for further information Level: Certificate
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 100%
Click here for further informationSupplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Description: Aims:
The aim of this course is to improve students' academic writing skills in English in order to help raise the standard of their degree course work and examination answers.

Learning Outcomes:
Having completed this unit students will be better able to:
* Analyse assignment titles and identify what is required
* Plan and write an outline for an essay, report or dissertation
* Understand how to structure an essay, report or dissertation
* Take notes from and summarise texts
* Critically evaluate texts
* Adopt a position in relation to others' research and opinions
* Incorporate ideas from source material, including direct quotations, without plagiarising
* Refer to sources appropriately within the text and in the references section of a paper
* Link ideas within and between paragraphs
* Write objectively in an academic style appropriate to their level and discipline
* Identify and correct errors in grammar, punctuation and style
* Plan and write examination answers.

Skills:
Having completed this unit students will be better able to:
* Analyse the requirements of a task
* Plan a task
* Think critically about the research or opinions of others
* Communicate ideas through writing.

Content:

* Analysing assignment titles
* Planning and writing an outline for an essay, report or dissertation
* Note-taking and summarising skills
* Incorporating reading material and avoiding plagiarism
* Referring to sources
* Comparison of the structure of essays and reports
* Dissertation structure
* Addressing other types of tasks required at Masters level, such as abstracts, literature reviews, research papers, briefing papers
* Writing introductions and conclusions
* Paragraph structure
* Cohesion within and between paragraphs
* Academic style - showing and avoiding personal commitment
* Grammatical accuracy and punctuation
* Proofreading and editing
* Planning for and writing in examinations.
NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.