Online Study Resources

Taking notes in lectures

develop strategies for taking notes in lectures. These are:

• choosing key words, phrases and concepts in lectures to be included in notes
• using basic note-taking symbols and abbreviations
• visually representing the relationship between ideas and the relative importance of information
• review your lecture notes systematically

Academic writing

• understand some differences between spoken and written language, and the importance of these differences for academic writing
• gain insights into why academic writing is typically abstract and complex. In other words, learn about:
  • the influence of Greek and Latin on academic vocabulary
  • the predominance of complex noun phrases
  • the concept of abstraction and how this is realised grammatically
• understand formal academic style
• learn how opinions and evaluations are expressed in academic writing

1. Spoken and written languages: some important differences [writing1.pdf]
2. Nominal groups: nouns and their structure [writing2.pdf]
3. Abstract concepts and abstract writings [writing3.pdf]
4. The influence of Greek and Latin on academic vocabulary [writing4.pdf]
5. Formal writing [writing5.pdf]
6. Expressing opinion and attitude in academic writing [writing6.pdf]

Essay writing

• understand the processes involved in writing a university essay
• research the topic
• write analytically
• structure and develop an academic argument
• write in an academic style
• present evidence and reference correctly
• prepare a list of references or bibliography
• prepare the final copy of your essay

1. The process: the multi-faceted nature of essay writing [Essay1.pdf]
2. The argument: development and structure [Essay2.pdf]
3. The mechanics of essay writing [Essay3.pdf]

Report writing

• understand the generic function and structure of reports
• understand how different types of reports and their audiences influence the structure and style of the report
• set out the information in your report
• refer to any tables and graphs in your report in an effective way
• use appropriate grammatical structures

1. Overview [reports1.pdf]
2. Writing laboratory reports [reports2.pdf]
3. Writing accounting and finance reports [reports3.pdf]
4. Writing technical reports [reports4.pdf]

Writing a synopsis

• what a synopsis is
• the type of information which should be included in a synopsis

1. Annotated History essay synopsis [synopsis1.pdf]
2. Annotated Management essay synopsis [synopsis2.pdf]
3. Annotated Civil Engineering technical report synopsis [synopsis3.pdf]
4. Annotated Engineering Management technical report synopsis [synopsis4.pdf]
5. Annotated Education research report synopsis [synopsis5.pdf]

Editing your assignments

• develop overall strategies for editing your assignments
• edit your assignments for structural features
• correct grammatical aspects of your work
• comply with technical requirements
• develop your own editing checklist

Referencing

• understand the purpose of referencing at university
• avoid plagiarism o incorporate quotations in your work correctly
• reference works using either the in-text system of referencing or the notations system
• present a reference list or bibliography

Critical thinking

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• understand the importance and function of critical thinking at university
• develop critical reading skills
• apply critical thinking to your note-making
• structure arguments and include critical analysis in your assignment writing

1. Critical thinking: overview [Critical1.pdf]
2. Critical reading and note-making [Critical2.pdf]
3. Critical writing [Critical3.pdf]

Cohesive writing

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• understand the concept of cohesive writing
• be familiar with the main language tools which create cohesion in writing.  These are:
  • conjunction (and, but, etc.)
  • reference (the people - they, etc.)
  • lexical cohesion (words that go together)
  • paragraph development
• use these tools to create writing that flows and guides the reader

1. Conjunction: linking words [Cohesive1.pdf]
2. Reference: tracing threads [Cohesive2.pdf]
3. Lexical cohesion: words that go together [Cohesive3.pdf]
4. Paragraph development: maintaining the focus [Cohesive4.pdf]

Annotated models of disciplinary essays

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• understand how a well written essay is structured
• understand what a well written essay in your discipline is
• use evidence to support and develop arguments
• incorporate references in an essay o use academic language

1. Annotated History essay [discipline1.pdf]
2. Annotated Modern Languages essay [discipline2.pdf]
3. Annotated Philosophy essay [discipline3.pdf]
4. Annotated Creative Arts essay [discipline4.pdf]
5. Annotated Management essay [discipline5.pdf]
6. Annotated Engineering essay [discipline6.pdf]
7. Annotated Sociology essay [discipline7.pdf]

Research and thesis writing

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• learn about various research models
• prepare a research proposal
• structure your thesis and its chapters
• write convincingly of your research outcomes and implications

1. Research Models and methods [thesis1.pdf]
2. Developing a research proposal [thesis2.pdf]
3. Thesis Structure guidelines [ thesis3.pdf,  thesis3a.pdf, thesis3b.pdf, thesis3c.pdf, thesis3d.pdf, thesis3e.pdf, thesis3f.pdf
4. Thesis Writing and persuasion [thesis4.pdf]

Common thesis structures

• Abstracts
• Introductions
• Literature Review
• Methods and Materials Section
• Results
• Discussion
• Body Chapters
• Conclusion

Other types of writing

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• understand the requirements and function of a case study, book review, annotated bibliography or literature review assignment
• Understand the type of information which should be included in these assignment types
• structure these assignment types
• structure arguments and include critical analysis in your assignment writing

1. Writing a case study, book review or annotated bibliography [OtherWriting1.pdf]
2. Writing a literature review [OtherWriting2.pdf]

Studying for examinations

Learning Objectives
This module will provide you with some guidelines and strategies to help you prepare for exams at university. The topics covered within this module include:

• preparation for studying
• planning your study sessions
• summarising and studying subject content
• exam techniques for:

- essay exams
- short answer exams
- multiple choice exams

Time management

Learning objectives
This module will help you to:

• organise time for tutorial preparation, assignment writing, and exam preparation
• establish study commitments for the semester
• develop strategies to overcome obstacles to study
• prioritise your time