Aims

1. To develop a range of reading strategies that will enable students to read academic texts effectively
2. To develop an understanding of writing as a process and product
3. To develop the knowledge and skills needed to use reading sources appropriately in academic writing
4. To enable students to produce written work of a sufficiently high standard to meet the requirements of their academic programme
5. To link the production of good writing to critical reading

Outline Of Syllabus

As well as a general introduction to academic writing, this module covers a range of essential areas, including:
- Academic Writing Style
- Essay Structure
- Writing Introductions
- Incorporating Sources
- Expressing Caution

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

A methodology combining teacher input and small group/pair work provides the best conditions for the development of reading and writing skills. Teacher input facilitates the transmission of knowledge and information, but the complex cognitive processes involved in reading and writing are best explored and developed through the learner’s active participation in problem-solving activities and other collaborative tasks. Private study is essential to extend and consolidate learning and this is encouraged with the coursework task.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The module is assessed by 2 coursework tasks (Detailed Essay plan (25%) & 2500 word essay (75%)).

The plan encourages students to take a process approach to writing by ensuring that they engage with the reading process and consider the structure of their final essays. It requires the students to take a stance on an issue and show their support for this stance by referring to academic sources.

The Essay requires students to write a 2,500-word essay. A workbook is provided which guides students through the process of researching and writing an essay. Completing the workbook requires students to engage with the processes of planning, drafting, editing and redrafting their essay. Both the workbook and the completed essay must be submitted by the deadline specified at the beginning of the module.

If a student’s overall mark is 39 or below they will have the opportunity to resubmit either / both components for which they have scored below 40.

Additional Module requirements:

(1) Candidates are required to attend 75% of the scheduled classes. If the student falls below 75% attendance, the decision on the final mark for the module will be deferred until successful completion of a bespoke assignment. In the assignment, students will have to demonstrate that they have processed and understood the sessions missed. This will take the form of self-study tasks and reflective writing. If the bespoke assignment is of a satisfactory standard, the student will pass the module, but with their mark capped at 40. If the bespoke assignment is not completed to a satisfactory standard, the student will receive an overall mark of zero for the module.

(2) A student who attends fewer than 50% of the classes will be judged to have failed the module. In this instance, a re-sit will be required during the normal re-sit period. In addition to the re-sit, the student will still be required to satisfy 'module requirement (1)' outlined above.