Module Content

• academic writing conventions and reading strategies to prepare students for degree level study.
• examining typical characteristics of academic texts in terms of features of specific academic genres, language, style and organisation.
• activities which are designed to develop critical thinking skills and to encourage students to actively question and reflect on the material they read.
• effective use of key grammatical structures used in academic writing, and on developing students’ general academic and subject-specific lexical range.
• paragraph structure and organisation with emphasis on developing coherence and cohesion within and between paragraphs, as well as input on features of discourse and grammar which support this.
• planning, drafting, and editing longer pieces of writing (essay format) in preparation for their assessment.
• referencing techniques to avoid plagiarism, including sessions on synthesising citations from various sources into a written text by using paraphrasing techniques, as well as producing reference lists and bibliographies.

Teaching Methods

During in-class sessions, students will engage in a range of activities designed to support the continual development of their writing and reading skills, deepening awareness and understanding of language use in academic writing and reading.
The lessons will be designed with an emphasis on communicative activities and exercises, which will enable students to practise the language through interactive discussion and collaboration. Students will work in pairs, groups and individually, and both peer and group feedback will be encouraged during the lessons. Tasks will be designed to encourage students to think analytically, and to read and respond critically to academic texts. Students will also receive guidance on conducting research, specifically in analysing texts and integrating bibliographical material into their long essay assignment, employing paraphrasing techniques and citing sources accurately. Throughout the module, therefore, students will develop their writing, reading, and research skills, as well as their critical thinking skills.
Students will also be supported individually through periodic tutorial sessions with the tutor, and through office-hour appointments as needed. As well as direct contact hours, students will be given homework tasks and guided towards resources to use during independent learning hours. Students will receive regular feedback (oral or written as appropriate) on their homework, and on samples of writing submitted. The portfolio process (with tasks undertaken across the module) is a prime example of formative assessment in that students are given feedback on each element as it is undertaken. The final mark is awarded on the basis of the completed portfolio and a final essay. Summative assessment is supported by in-class briefings and followed by feedback and feed-forward as relevant.
The emphasis of this module lies on the empowerment of students to take control of their writing journey. This approach entails active student engagement in the crafting process, encompassing planning, drafting, revising, and editing independently. Techniques such as mind mapping, storyboarding, and self-guided peer review sessions are utilised. Specific objectives are set by each student for their compositions, with regular progress assessments conducted using personalised rubrics. Metacognitive strategies, like journaling and self-assessment checklists, are employed to prompt reflection on writing processes, enabling adjustments for improvement. Integration of digital tools like Grammarly is complemented by interactive exercises such as genre-specific writing workshops and real-world writing tasks, exemplified by composing business emails. Collaborative learning is facilitated through peer teaching, showcased in group editing sessions where feedback is provided on each other’s writing, ensuring a supportive environment is cultivated. Furthermore, time management skills are honed through various activities, such as the effective prioritisation of feedback within a limited timeframe, ensuring that thoughtful attention is given to each student’s essay despite time constraints. These methods collectively empower students to become adept, self-assured writers.

Assessment Methods

This module is assessed through one Portfolio and one Final Essay.