EF0302 - Writing Skills (ESF)

You will receive five hours of input and in-class writing practice to ensure that you are able to fulfil the English language and study skills required for studying on your target degree programme. In addition to this, you will receive weekly one-to-one tuition to help you identify specific areas for improvement in your writing.

The teaching will involve a range of individual and group tasks in-class, the analysis of examples of good practice, as well as guided writing tasks at home in order to consolidate your learning. You will be expected to keep a record of your learning through a writing portfolio, which will culminate in an assessed essay, as well as demonstrate that you have achieved the learning outcomes of the module through an end-of-Semester written examination.

In addition to the weekly tutorials, you will also have access to a range of materials on the module Blackboard site.
You will also be given a Library Skills talk and tour, helping you to find sources more effectively.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Understand how to construct academic texts and organise arguments
2. Understand the use of discrete items of language/lexis/academic style to clearly and coherently communicate meaning in appropriate academic contexts
3. Understand the importance of using sources to evidence your argument

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. The ability to:
• Write essay outlines
• Write grammatically accurate sentences
• Produce well-structured paragraphs
• Develop an argument and clearly communicate ideas
• Write well-organised, academic essays
• Use Harvard-style citations and references accurately
• Search for appropriate sources and integrate these into your writing
• Avoid plagiarism by paraphrasing, summarising and direct quotation
• Understand the need for critical thinking and hedging/boosting
• Proof-read and correct your work before submission


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Develop an understanding of current global issues, and of intercultural competence

Assessment on this module is based on two tasks:

1. The successful completion of a writing portfolio, the major part of which is a 1000-word essay on an aspect of global Issues;
2. A two-hour writing exam, where you will choose one of two questions based on the global issues studied during the semester. You need to demonstrate your knowledge of global issues, as well as your ability to structure your work and to communicate ideas effectively in written English.

The final grade awarded will be based equally on both the 1,000-word essay (Portfolio Task 5) and the exam essay. (All MLOs)

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Academic writing is a crucial part of British university study, and it is vital that you know how to write an extended essay in an appropriate academic style. Some of your writing classes will cover organisational skills, such as structuring essays, paragraphs and referencing, while others will concentrate on producing good, clear, grammatically accurate sentences. The module is designed to equip you with the skills you require to write a high quality, academic essay in English.