ATS1297 · Academic writing

Overview

This unit introduces you to academic writing and the attitudes, values and practices of academic culture. The unit will help you to write effective essays at a tertiary level. There is a particular focus on how academic writing presents clear reasoning with evidence to support a position, and how the academic essay differs from other types of non-fiction writing, such as the opinion piece. You will learn key principles of grammar and academic style conventions, as well as how to use sources correctly (finding, referencing, quoting, and paraphrasing) and avoid problems of plagiarism. You will also learn how to plan, research, edit, and proofread essays to a high standard.

Areas of study: Arts enrichment units

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Identify and explain core attitudes, values and practices of academic culture and how academic writing reflects these;
2. Reflect critically on the differences between academic and opinion writing and apply this understanding in the composition of academic essays;
3. Utilise primary, secondary and tertiary sources in digital and print in their research;
4. Apply scholarly principles of referencing, quoting, paraphrasing;
5. Recognise and use the fundamental concepts of grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage and style;
6. Self-edit and revise writing in an academic context.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.