1. Making the step up: The transition to undergraduate writing.
Academic Writing
Session 1
Making the step up: The transition to undergraduate writing.
Viola Eidenbenz

2. How is academic writing different at university level?
unstructured time + workload
Independent study
time management
freedom + underlying expectations

3. Depth of analysis and critical approach
reading challenging texts
engaging with sources
positioning yourself
connecting theories + micro contexts

4. Depth of reflexivity
Critical approach
Different perspectives

5. Developing a more academic style.
Structure
Coherence
Explicitness
Formality
Expression
Terminology.

6. Assignments What exactly does the title ask you to do?
Why do you think you have been given this title?
Answer the essay question!

7. FAQs
Can I write in the first person ‘I’?

8. FAQ
Can I draw on my own experience? Isn’t this ‘anecdote’?

9. FAQ What about research methods?
Do I need to do original research / produce my own empirical evidence for this essay assignment?

10. FAQ
Does it matter if I go over the word limit?

11. FAQ
What does the word limit include?

12. FAQ
How many items should the reference list include? Should I include everything I’ve read or just everything that I’ve referred to in the essay?

13. How are essays assessed?
Consult your handbook (on the VLE).
Check with your department.

14. Module overview 'Making the step up':
The transition to undergraduate writing
The essay writing process
+ paragraph structure
Developing a critical argument
+ intro to referencing
Using sources:
Referencing and avoiding plagiarism
Introductions and conclusions
Paraphrasing + editing and proofreading
Review and tutorials by appointment
In sessions 9 and 10 we will focus on your projects.

15. Viola Eidenbenz