University Skills Centre
Academic Literacy Skills
Knowledge of how academic discourse is structured and presented
- knowledge of how arguments are developed and presented
within a given field of study
- knowledge of how to incorporate ideas taken from reading,
listening and debating
- awareness of what is considered good academic style in both
writing and speaking
Knowledge of how academic discourse is produced
- understanding the recursive nature of academic assignment
preparation
- understanding the effort required in the elaboration of
thought and argument in a typical academic assignment
Communication
- The ability to express ideas cogently, concisely and
persuasively in writing and speaking.
Creative and critical thinking
- relating to all four skills of reading, writing, listening
and speaking and sometimes described as a 'habit of mind'
- a desire to seek connections between ideas while maintaining
a rigorous approach to the analysis of arguments and ideas
- a striving to test the status of ideas and arguments e.g.
as fact, hypothesis, opinion or belief
Independent learning
- recognising the need to take responsibility for study and
learning goals
- understanding how to achieve study aims
- knowing when and how to obtain assistance to achieve
academic goals
Respect for the work and effort of others
- awareness of the great importance placed in academia on
acknowledging authorship and maintaining academic integrity in
relation to use of sources
- understanding why it is important within academic
study and research to acknowledge the work and thinking of of
others
Read more: Centre for Excellence in
Teaching and Learning; ICAS