EAPA3004 English for Academic Purposes 1 Summer 2017 Coursework Brief Handout: Week 1 Word Limit: 1000 words (Plus or minus 10%) Learning outcomes assessed: Produce a cohesive and coherent researched essay Read, compare and summarise a number of written academic texts and evaluate them. This coursework is worth 70% of the total marks for this module. Coursework Instructions Please read carefully. Assignment Questions The portfolio booklet requires students to complete a range of written tasks. Students are required to complete ALL tasks. The portfolio consists of the following tasks: Week Contents Page Learning outcome Section 1: Portfolio Evidence (These tasks will often be drafted in class and are designed to inform the written task in section 2. Suggested word counts are included in brackets.) 1 Portfolio evidence I: Self-evaluation checklist 3 LO 1 & 2 4 Portfolio evidence II: Summarising (recommended word count: 100) 4 LO 2 4-5 Portfolio evidence III: Outline (recommended word count: 200) 6 LO 2 6 Portfolio evidence IV: Paragraph structure (250 words) 7 LO 1 9 Portfolio evidence V: Essay self-assessment form (recommended word count: at least 100) 8 LO 1 & 2 Section 2: Written Task (The written task should be developed throughout the semester but completed in weeks 7-10.) 1-10 Academic writing [compare and contrast essay relevant to higher education] (word count: 750 words) 10 LO 1 & 2 You will be encouraged to revise your answers to those tasks based on peer- and self-evaluation feedback techniques. Tasks will sometimes initially be completed in hard copy but all must be submitted electronically within the EAP 1 Portfolio, which can be downloaded from GSM Learn. The main aims of the activities included in the portfolio are the following: 1.Increasing awareness of academic writing features, including academic style and structure; 2.Developing and enriching academic vocabulary and grammatical accuracy; 3.Developing research skills, necessary for academic success; 4.Developing a variety of reading strategies and techniques to enhance understanding. How to complete your portfolio Section 1: Portfolio Evidence This is a series of tasks that help you write your final essay. You need to complete ALL of them to show good awareness of the academic writing process. Section 2: Academic Writing This task requires you to write a 750 word essay. The essay should be on the following title: Compare and contrast the higher education system in England with that of one country of your choice in terms of funding and quality. Which system is preferable? HOW SHOULD YOU COMPLETE YOUR PORTFOLIO? Procedure Complete the self-evaluation checklist in your portfolio (section 1: portfolio evidence I, p. 3). This will help you reflect on your strengths and areas to work on during the course. Do some general reading and research to choose a second country for your essay. Access the collection of sources related to the theme of ‘Higher Education in England’ which can be found in the ‘Assignment Information’ on GSM. Choose another country and research information on its higher education system in relation to funding and quality. Make notes on the main features of the two higher education systems. Make notes on the funding and quality of higher education in England and the country of your choice in your portfolio. Complete the summarising task in your portfolios (Section 1: Portfolio Evidence II – Summarising, p. 4) to practise your paraphrasing skills and using sources in your writing. Prepare an essay outline (Section 1: Portfolio Evidence III – Outline, p. 6). An essay outline is a plan of what you will write in your essay and how you will organise that content. It is useful for organising your thoughts and avoiding the risk of addressing irrelevant points while writing. The outline can be found in your portfolios (p.6). You can show your outline to your lecturer and ask for feedback. Write one of your main body paragraphs in your portfolio (Section 1: Portfolio Evidence IV – Paragraph structure, p. 7) and highlight its parts in colour. Write a 750 word essay comparing the higher education systems in the two countries (Section 2: Written Task). The essay should follow the structural requirements of a compare and contrast essay. This means you should include the following: Introduction Background information on higher education More specific information on the higher education system in the two countries A thesis statement explaining the outline of your essay and your position (e.g. which system is more effective?) Main body paragraphs [2 paragraphs] In each of them you should: Include a topic sentence explaining the focus of the particular paragraph Discuss BOTH higher education systems in relation to ONE area (e.g. funding, quality) Provide evidence (references), examples and evaluation of each similarity or difference (e.g. why is it important?) Conclusion Summarise the main points of your essay State which system is more effective and why Add a few suggestions / recommendations References A list of detailed references of the sources you used in your essay, in alphabetical order Proof-read and edit your essay very carefully before submission and reflect on your strengths and areas for improvement (Section 1: Portfolio Evidence V - Essay self-assessment form, pp. 8-9). End of Assignment Brief Learning Outcomes for English for Academic Purposes 1 Produce cohesive and coherent elements of academic writing. Read, compare and summarise written academic texts. Excellent evidence Very good evidence Good evidence Some evidence Insufficient evidence Little/No Evidence 86 – 100%/First 70+/First 60+/2:1 50+/2:2 40+/Third 30+/Fail Pass by compensation possible 16 – 29%/Fail 0 – 15%/Fail Graduate: Transferable Employability & Practical Skills (25%) Are you within the word count? (LOs 1,2) Within word count Within word count Within word count Within 10% of word count More than 10% outside word count More than 10% outside word count More than 10% outside word count More than 10% outside word count Have you checked for spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes? (LOs 1,2) Accurate spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraphing Accurate spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraphing Mostly accurate spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraphing. Some mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraphing. Frequent mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraphing. Serious mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraphing. Serious and extensive mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraphing. Serious and extensive mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraphing. Have you used appropriate academic style and appropriate vocabulary? (LOs 1,2) Fluent, interesting writing style, appropriate to the assignment Appropriate visual presentation, including font, spacing for essays Fluent writing style, appropriate to the assignment Appropriate visual presentation, including font, spacing for essays Mainly fluent writing style, appropriate to the assignment Mostly appropriate visual presentation, including font, spacing for essays Writing style is mostly appropriate but not always fluent Inconsistent visual presentation, including font, spacing for essays Awkward or inappropriate writing style Inappropriate visual presentation, including font, spacing for essays Poor writing style Poor visual presentation, including font, spacing for essays Incoherent writing style Very poor visual presentation, including font, spacing for essays Incoherent writing style Exceptionally poor visual presentation, including font, spacing for essays Have you included in-text citations and a reference list that follow Harvard Style? (LOs 1,2) Correct use of academic conventions, references and bibliography. Correct use of academic conventions, references and bibliography. Mostly correct use of academic conventions, references and bibliography Inconsistent use of academic conventions, references and bibliography. Inconsistent or incomplete use of academic conventions, references and bibliography. Inaccurate or incomplete use of academic conventions, references and bibliography. Very inaccurate or no use of academic conventions, references and bibliography. No use of academic conventions, references and bibliography. Do you show good awareness of your strengths and weaknesses? (LOs 1, 2) Insightful reflection on own strengths and weaknesses in relation to defined professional and practical skills. Good reflection on own strengths and weaknesses in relation to defined professional and practical skills. Clear reflection on own strengths and weaknesses in relation to defined professional and practical skills. Some evaluation of own strengths and weaknesses in relation to defined professional and practical skills. Limited reflection on own strengths and weaknesses in relation to defined professional and practical skills. Very limited reflection on own strengths and weaknesses in relation to defined professional and practical skills. Minimal evaluation of own strengths and weaknesses in relation to defined professional and practical skills. No evaluation of own strengths and weaknesses in relation to defined professional and practical skills. What we are looking for on this module (Relates to all tasks): Effective use of in-text citations and the inclusion of a reference list; communication of ideas in an academic style. nnnn