Academic Skills Support
Links to downloadable advice and guidance
Sourcing Reading Material
10 ways to
source and extend reading material, and advice on making
critical use of alternative sources (e.g. Internet,
newspapers etc)
Citation and Referencing
Academic
writing requires you to present and discuss the ideas and
arguments of other authors as a necessary context to your
own thinking, and to acknowledge your sources accurately
and consistently.
- Referencing - understanding why
and when
- Referencing -
the QUICK GUIDE to HARVARD
Plagiarism
Plagiarism (using the ideas and/or arguments of other
authors without acknowledgement) is regarded as intellectual
theft. Understand how it occurs and how to avoid it.
Critical use of the
Internet as a research tool (Word document)
In many ways the Internet has
transformed academic research and student
learning. This is potentially very exciting, but
also beset with problems and pitfalls for the
inexperienced user. Understanding
how to distinguish reliable sources from
unreliable ones is crucial, as is appreciating
how to use and reference material that is
effectively 'live'.
Exam Criteria
What constitutes a good essay in the exam context?
Do the criteria for judging a good essay differ between
those submitted in term time and those submitted as exam
responses? If so, how does the marking of exam responses reflect
these differences? How do students typically under-perform in exams?
Effective Revision and Exam
Preparation
Revising effectively is the key to achieving a sense
of control over your work and a clear, unpanicked head;
in short it's the key to maximising your exam potential.
Presentation Skills (Word
document)
Presentations are an
accepted part of most degree schemes,
whether at the level of leading a
seminar, presenting a paper or taking
part in a debate. Few of us get through
our working lives without the need for
presentation skills at some point e.g.
in interviews, team meetings, making
proposals, wedding speeches! Develop
them early and you will benefit from
them in multiple settings throughout
your lives. What makes for
a good presentation? Some notes on preparation, timing and
rehearsal; posture and voice projection; dealing with
nerves; use of equipment, overheads and handouts; taking
questions and managing discussion.
Last modified on 11 November 2010