ACADEMIC WRITING

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• understand some differences between spoken and written language, and the importance of these differences for academic writing

• gain insights into why academic writing is typically abstract and complex. In other words, learn about:

  • the influence of Greek and Latin on academic vocabulary

  • the predominance of complex noun phrases

  • the concept of abstraction and how this is realised grammatically

  
  

• understand formal academic style

• learn how opinions and evaluations are expressed in academic writing

The module is in six parts:

1. Spoken and written languages: some important differences [writing1.pdf]

2. Nominal groups: nouns and their structure [writing2.pdf]

3. Abstract concepts and abstract writings [writing3.pdf]

4. The influence of Greek and Latin on academic vocabulary [writing4.pdf]

5. Formal writing [writing5.pdf]

6. Expressing opinion and attitude in academic writing [writing6.pdf]

ANNOTATED MODELS OF DISCIPLINARY ESSAYS

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• understand how a well written essay is structured

• understand what a well written essay in your discipline is

• use evidence to support and develop arguments

• incorporate references in an essay o use academic language

This module is in 7 parts:

1. Annotated History essay [discipline1.pdf]

2. Annotated Modern Languages essay [discipline2.pdf]

3. Annotated Philosophy essay [discipline3.pdf]

4. Annotated Creative Arts essay [discipline4.pdf]

5. Annotated Management essay [discipline5.pdf]

6. Annotated Engineering essay [discipline6.pdf]

7. Annotated Sociology essay [discipline7.pdf]

COHESIVE WRITING

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• understand the concept of cohesive writing

• be familiar with the main language tools which create cohesion in writing.  These are:

  • conjunction (and, but, etc.)

  • reference (the people - they, etc.)

  • lexical cohesion (words that go together)

  • paragraph development

  
  

• use these tools to create writing that flows and guides the reader

The module is in four parts:

1. Conjunction: linking words [Cohesive1.pdf]

2. Reference: tracing threads[Cohesive2.pdf]

3. Lexical cohesion: words that go together [Cohesive3.pdf]

4. Paragraph development: maintaining the focus [Cohesive4.pdf]

COMMON THESIS STRUCTURES

• Abstracts   EngineeringAbstract

• Introductions   EngineeringIntroduction

• Literature Review   EngineeringLiteratureReview

• Methods and Materials Section   EngineeringMaterialsAndMethodsSections

• ResultsSection   EngineeringResultsAndDiscussionSection

• BiologyDiscussionAndConclusionSection

• Body Chapters

• Conclusions   EngineeringConclusions

ESSAY WRITING

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• understand the processes involved in writing a university essay

• research the topic

• write analytically

• structure and develop an academic argument

• write in an academic style

• present evidence and reference correctly

• prepare a list of references or bibliography

• prepare the final copy of your essay

The module is in three parts:

1. The process: the multi-faceted nature of essay writing [Essay1.pdf]

2. The argument: development and structure [Essay2.pdf]

3. The mechanics of essay writing [Essay3.pdf]

OTHER TYPES OF WRITING

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• understand the requirements and function of a case study, book review, annotated bibliography or literature review assignment

• Understand the type of information which should be included in these assignment types

• structure these assignment types

• structure arguments and include critical analysis in your assignment writing

The module is in two parts:

1. Writing a case study, book review or annotated bibliography [OtherWriting1.pdf]

2. Writing a literature review [OtherWriting2.pdf]

REPORT WRITING

Learning objectives
This module will help you to

• understand the generic function and structure of reports

• understand how different types of reports and their audiences influence the structure and style of the report

• set out the information in your report

• refer to any tables and graphs in your report in an effective way

• use appropriate grammatical structures

This module is in 4 parts:

1. Overview [reports1.pdf]

2. Writing laboratory reports [reports2.pdf]

3. Writing accounting and finance reports [reports3.pdf]

4. Writing technical reports [reports4.pdf]

RESEARCH AND THESIS WRITING

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• learn about various research models

• prepare a research proposal

• structure your thesis and its chapters

• write convincingly of your research outcomes and implications

This module is in 4 parts:

1. Research Models and methods [thesis1.pdf]

2. Developing a research proposal [thesis2.pdf]

3. Thesis Structure guidelines [thesis3.pdf,  thesis3a.pdf, thesis3b.pdf,thesis3c.pdf, thesis3d.pdf,thesis3e.pdf, thesis3f.pdf

4. Thesis Writing and persuasion [thesis4.pdf]

WRITING A SYNOPSIS

Learning objectives
By viewing these annotated model synopses, you will have a greater understanding of:

• what a synopsis is

• the type of information which should be included in a synopsis

This module is in 5 parts:

1. Annotated History essay synopsis [synopsis1.pdf]

2. Annotated Management essay synopsis [synopsis2.pdf]

3. Annotated Civil Engineering technical report synopsis [synopsis3.pdf]

4. Annotated Engineering Management technical report synopsis [synopsis4.pdf]

5. Annotated Education research report synopsis [synopsis5.pdf]