assignment writing at university _ nmmu 2015 _ gino fransman

Assignment Writing at University

Gino Fransman

Academic Development ProfessionalNelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)2015

https://twitter.com/housekeepingldn

The Line-Up

Remembering University Requirements

• Short Questions • - Definitions• -Multiple Choice Questions

Types of Questions

Basic Structure of Short Writing Responses

Longer Writing Responses: Introductions

Essays in Assignments and Exams

Feel free to go online and visit resources referred to during the session.

The aim is not to suggest that after this 1,5 hour session, you will be a better writer.

But: I bet you’ll think about it more constructively.

Introduction

This is an introduction.

You should explore related materials located by clicking on the links to pages provided. They take you much further.

Please note down questions you may have during any screened video clips for afterward.

Remembering University Requirements

What is ‘different’ with writing at university?

What are your writing challenges at university?

Let’s write as many of each down as possible.

Academic Writing is about Writing

Types of Questions

Short Questions

Definitions/ TerminologyMultiple Choice Questions

These often test the language of your discipline...

Can you speak it?

o Learn to speak the language of YOUR discipline

o Make learning this language a daily exercise

o Just a FEW goodies at a time, think of it like gym for

words

o Include instructional terms like ‘describe’, ‘compare’,

‘discuss’...

o Prioritise content terms, or jargon, so you know what

you are saying, and become able to confidently use the

right terminology

o Evaluate the terms, take 15 minute self-tests across the

day

o Here’s one way to try out for yourself, and also to share

with others.

Terminology and You

TermsInstructional & Content

Definitions (only from the prescribed readings or research!)

Terms Definitions (only from the prescribed readings or research!)

1. Define 1. state or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of."the contract will seek to define the client's obligations"

1. Define. 1. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Photosynthesis 2. XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

2. Photosynthesis 2. ________________________________________________

15. xxxxxx 15. xxxxxxx 15. xxxxxxx 15. ____________

Making a terminology test table: PRACTICAL

Master copy Copies x1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 15 minute tests

Write.

RE:presenting Units of Information

Taking the Basic Structure Further

• Remember the constant school reminders about the format for a written piece?

Title Introduction Body Conclusion

Instructional Terms: What to DO• Criticise - Give your judgement about the merit of theories or

opinions about the truth or facts, and back your judgement by a discussion of evidence.

• Define - Set down the precise meaning of a word or phrase.  Show that the distinctions implied in the definition are necessary.

• Describe - Give a detailed or graphic account of the characteristics of the subject.

• Differentiate - Show the difference between two things by determining their distinctions.

• Discuss - Investigate or examine by argument, sift and debate, giving reasons for and against.

• Enumerate - Listen or specify and describe one by one.• Evaluate - Make an appraisal of the worth of something, in the

light of its apparent truth or utility.  Include your personal opinion, supported by evidence.

Practical – Let’s Write.

Writing at School Revisiting the Basics for University

Let’s keep this in mind...

Title Introduction Body Conclusion Now add: Referencing/

Attributions

Let’s see what’s out there...

http://education.exeter.ac.uk/dll/studyskills/answering_questions.htm

http://learninghub.une.edu.au/tlc/aso/aso-online/academic-writing/question-analysis.php

Plagiarism and ReferencingWatch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEeTSaxCEQg

Academic WritingPlagiarism and Referencing

Richard Galletly

Take Notes!

This video is available as part of a collection of shared open educational resources for the FAVOR project and available in languagebox.ac.uk/profile/1239.

What are your questions about plagiarism and referencing?

Go and investigate options, be proactive. Amongst options available to you at

NMMU

Writing Respondents and draft writing

www.writing.nmmu.ac.za

Help is available.

Process of submitting draft writing to the Writing Centre

http://forms.nmmu.ac.za/writingcentre/registration/

Select the correct campus, and fill in all the sections.

Currently in 2015, there isn’t someone on North Campus.

Missionvale

Wednesday consultations from 2:30 – 4:30pm for students

Email: s214271218@live.nmmu.ac.za Noloyiso Mpati

Request to book group, staff or student presentations

South Campus

Gino Fransman

Room 10LG14, Tel: (041) 504 2927

Email: Gino.Fransman@nmmu.ac.za

Our website: www.writing.nmmu.ac.za

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Where we are

Visit

Academic Literacy Development Scoopit Sitehttp://www.scoop.it/t/academic-literacy-development

21st Century Graduate Literacies Scoopit Sitehttp://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-graduate-literacies

gino.fransman@nmmu.ac.za

Twitter: @ginofransman

Assignment Writing at University by Gino Fransman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

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