Overview

This module provides instruction and practice of academic literacy skills within a research context.

Course content:

• Planning and development of extended pieces of writing • Writing for purpose • Using sources, including citation, referencing, paraphrasing and synthesis • Academic conventions including citation, referencing and presentation • Avoiding plagiarism • Structuring extended writing including theme development, topic paragraphing, cohesion and coherence • Appropriacy of style and register in different academic text types • Accuracy of English language systems including grammar and vocabulary

• Planning and development of extended pieces of writing • Writing for purpose • Using sources, including citation, referencing, paraphrasing and synthesis • Academic conventions including citation, referencing and presentation • Avoiding plagiarism • Structuring extended writing including theme development, topic paragraphing, cohesion and coherence • Appropriacy of style and register in different academic text types • Accuracy of English language systems including grammar and vocabulary

Assessment Strategy

To achieve a mark of over 60% (merit) the candidate must produce extended written work which displays most of the following:

• The research question is addressed comprehensively • Content is appropriate and insightful • The purpose of the text is clear and focused. • Sources pinpoint relevant background information and robustly support the writer’s claims • Citations and reference lists accurately conform to a convention • The text is skilfully organised, making reading fast and easy for the reader. • Topics are dealt with individually and can be accessed independently where appropriate • Sentences are varied in complexity, providing flow. • Linking devices are expertly used to provide flow. • Expert use of grammar and vocabulary allows complex ideas to be expressed concisely • Style is appropriate and may add authority to the text

Consistent, strong evidence of the above criteria can justify a mark over 70% (distinction)

To achieve a mark of over 50% (pass) the candidate must produce extended written work which displays most of the following:

• Most of the text addresses the research question • Content is relevant to audience • Purpose of the assignment is appropriate and clear • Sources are used to inform and support • Citations and reference lists make clear to the reader where information comes from • The text is logically structured and accessible to the reader • Topics are clearly delineated (perhaps using paragraphs) • Sentences are appropriate in length and complexity • Ideas are cohesively • Grammar and vocabulary are mostly accurate. There may be some errors, but meaning is clear throughout. • The style of language used is mostly appropriate to the text type

Learning Outcomes

• Accurately used English grammar and vocabulary within a given academic field.

• Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate academic discourses through citations and referencing consistent with Bangor University conventions.

• Produced extended pieces of writing which are purposeful and appropriate to an academic audience.

• Produced longer texts which are cohesive and coherent.