General academic writing

Site: learnonline
Course: English Language & Intercultural Learning & Teaching Framework
Book: General academic writing
Printed by: Guest user
Date: Friday, 29 March 2024, 7:50 PM

Description

General academic writing 

GEneral writing resources

Academic writing is challenging for many commencing students, especially since each discipline subscribes to a specific way of writing.

The resources in this section will help you scaffold the development of your students' academic writing skills. 


Use the table of contents to the right to find the category and type of resource which you want for your class. 
You can also browse an online folder of all the general resources on reading, in alphabetical order.
If you wish to find a resource addressing a specific teaching point, you can also use a term or word to search the search the database
of all Language and Literacies resources. 


Note that these resources address particular aspects about writing for tertiary courses. They are general resources for developing academic writing and do not address specific writing formats.

However, you can also find resources on writing for assignment formats and on English Language Proficiency

Academic writing

1. Academic writing Class video presentation (9:10 mins)

Video presentation intended for students, narrated by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Introduces the concept of academic writing to students. It looks at different genres of writing, and the appropriate style for academic writing. 

Video iconWatch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details). 

URL iconGive this link to a class to watch individually  (more information) - https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=0a2c0576-7298-4330-9c4d-aa690188851f  (27 MB). You can also download the presentation (27 MB) as a video file from this link (more information)

PowerPoint icon Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) (223 KB)

Word iconDownload the script (you can adjust to suit your class) (27 KB) 


2. Academic writing Class presentation handout

Slides from a workshop, covering:

    • writing for an audience
    • writing with a purpose
    • organising the text
    • using an appropriate style
    • writing cohesively and coherently
    • evaluating the writing
    • acknowledging sources of information

pdf iconDownload the word document  (547 KB)


3. Academic writing Class activity

Class activity in which students complete exercises:

  • rewriting a text to make it more academic
  • identifying focus in writing
  • improving flow in writing

word iconDownload the word document (51 KB)


Browse all the general writing resources 

Preparation and purpose 

1. Preparation for writing Teacher's Guide

List of ideas and tips for teachers to help them to prepare students for a writing course. 

pdf iconDownload the slides (26 KB)

word icon Download the word document (27 KB)


2. Teaching students the purpose of writing Teacher's Guide

Short list of tips on teaching students the purpose of writing.

pdf iconDownload the pdf version ((31 KB)

word icon Download the word version (28 KB)


Browse all the general writing resources 

Reading for writing 

1Reading for writing Class video presentation (10:21 mins) 

Video presentation is intended for a student audience, by Dr Shashi Nallaya. It covers types of academic texts, what to read for assignments, how to read efficiently, critical reading. 

Video iconWatch this video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

URL iconLink to show this presentation to a class (more information)  - https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=33e573d5-b310-4936-aad4-aa6a003e95c6. You can also download the presentation (58 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).  


2. Using sources from your reading to write Class video presentation (6:41 mins) 

Video presentation intended for a student audience, by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Covers citing and acknowledging sources, referencing purpose and styles, when to reference, quoting and paraphrasing

Video iconWatch this video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

URL iconLink to show this presentation to a class (more information)  - https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=b090063f-c585-4efa-8c24-aa6a003f0e10. You can also download the presentation (36 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).


Browse all the general writing resources 

The process writing approach 

1. The process writing approach Teacher's Guide

Teacher's resource on the Process Writing approach, including dominant traits, steps in the process, peer-review checklist, and rubric. 

pdf iconDownload the pdf version ( (190 KB)

word iconDownload the word version  (180 KB)


Browse all the general writing resources 

Referencing 

1. Referencing 1 Class video presentation (12:28 mins)

Video of a presentation for students given by Dr Shashi Nallaya. PowerPoint slides and audio. Covers the purposes of referencing, disciplinary writing, referencing texts, referencing in writing, examples of referencing, reading and note taking, in text citations. 

Video iconWatch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details). 

Url icon Give this link to a class to watch individually ( more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=6ee8a0bd-52f7-4770-9c66-aa6f004e35f0  . You can also download the presentation (76 MB) as a video file from this link (more information). 

PowerPoint file Download the slides (you can adjust them to suit your needs) ( 3.6 MB)

Word iconDownload the script (you can adjust this to suit your class) ( 99 KB) 

Zip iconGive students an interactive online presentation (10 MB) (See more information)


2. Using resources from your reading Class video presentation (6:41 mins)

Video of a presentation given by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Covers the purpose of referencing, referencing styles, when to reference, in text references, quoting, citing sources, paraphrasing, summarising. 

Video iconWatch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details). 

 Url icon Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=29134bd1-87c5-4f0f-b70d-aa6f00242bce . You can also download the presentation (36 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).  

PowerPoint iconDownload the slides (you can adjust this to suit your class) ( 262 KB)


3. Bibliography management Presentation slides

PowerPoint slides for a class presentation which covers support resources for referencing, managing references, biblio management software, details on Endnote and Refworks.

PP iconDownload the PowerPoint slides  (2.8 MB) 


4. Referencing 2 Presentation slides

PowerPoint slides for a class presentation which covers:

  • Academic style
  • What is referencing?
  • When to reference
  • When to include page numbers
  • Referencing website
  • Scholarly versus popular sources
  • UniSA Harvard Referencing convention
  • Use of ‘voices’ in writing

PP iconDownload the PowerPoint slides (1.6 MB) 


5. Referencing 3 Presentation slides

PowerPoint slides for a class presentation which covers referencing in essays, including:

  • academic text
  • resources for referencing
  • using voices in referencing
  • in text referencing
  • refencing conventions
  • Harvard UniSA style

 PP icon Download the PowerPoint slides (3 MB) 


6. Referencing 4 Presentation slides

PowerPoint slides for a class presentation which covers:

  • purpose of citing
  • academic text
  • using voices in writing
  • Scholarly versus popular sources
  • resources for referencing 

PP icon Download the PowerPoint slides (511 KB) 


7. Referencing student handout

Word document for students outlining the aim of referencing, and providing examples.

Download the word doc (52 KB)


8. Quoting: Referencing using the direct voice Student guide

Word document for students outlining the different techniques that can be used to cite the sources used in writing, with an example.

Download the word doc (1.6 MB)


9. Paraphrasing: Referencing using the indirect voice Student guide

Word document for students outlining different techniques that can be used to cite sources being used in writing, including an example.

Download the word doc (46 KB)


10. Summarising: Referencing using the external voice Student handout

Word document for students outlining different techniques that can be used to cite the sources used in writing, including an example.

Download the word doc (41 KB)


Folder icon Browse an online folder of all the general writing resources 

Tips for teachers 

1. Assigning in-class writing activities Teacher's Guide

This teacher's guide which gives tips on how to develop students' writing skills by giving them in-class writing exercises. Includes a series of example activities.

word iconDownload the word version  (30 KB)

pdf iconDownload the pdf version  (42 KB)


2. Efficient ways to improve student writing Teacher's Guide

This teacher's guide lists some general tips for teachers to follow. 

word iconDownload the word version  (27 KB)

pdf iconDownload the pdf version  (26 KB)


3. Teaching students the purposes of writing Teacher's Guide

Short list of tips on teaching students the purpose of writing.

word iconDownload the word version  (28 KB)

pdf iconDownload the pdf version  (31 KB)


4. Teaching writing when you are not an English teacher Teacher's Guide

List of tips for staff who are not trained in teaching English.

word iconDownload the word version  (28 KB)

pdf iconDownload the pdf version  (38 KB)


folder iconBrowse all the general writing resources 

Email as professional communication 

1. Email as professional communication Student handout

Student handout on the purpose, structure and style of formal and informal emails. 

Word icon Download the word doc  (186 KB) 


Folder iconBrowse an online folder of all the general writing resources