Study Guide
Checklist: Editing & proofreading your assignment
The document is a checklist, which could complement a teaching session on editing and proofreading skills. It could be used as a study guide for independent learning, or it could also used in class for students to observe/revise/critique a piece of writing.
The CDE Presentation Model
A website hosting a number a number of staff and student resources to support the development of oral communication
Microsoft Excel – Creating a Chart
To be able to create a chart in Microsoft Excel 2010
Evaluating a source
To be able to critically evaluate sources.
CVs, Covering Letters and Personal Statements Proofreading Checklist for SPAG
To increase awareness of common spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) errors that are made in CVs, covering letters and personal statements.
Academic Reading: Handbook for students
Brief student-facing guide to academic reading. Covers a variety of areas and gives useful tips on selecting reading materials, active reading strategies, useful techniques and more...
References and bibliographies booklet
This 71-page booklet explains when to reference, how to reference (using the Harvard style), gives examples of different forms of referencing, including some of the less common sources, and includes two assignments to demonstrate referencing in action.
What’s the point of referencing?
Student essay in response to a 2009 LearnHigher competition on 'What is the point of referencing?’. Together with a tutor commentary, the essay sets out and explores three for referencing: to construct, structure, support and communicate arguments; to link work to the existing
body of knowledge; and how referencing can add credibility to academic work.
Resource Pack Supporting Student Community Projects
This pack contains resources to support student projects in the local community. It includes guidance for students about project queries
list of resources available to students to support their project work, fundraising ideas, oral history references and a contract template.
Learning Contract
This resource includes guidance notes for developing a learning contract for self-directed study, together with a template for a Learning Contract. The resource is tailored for adult students and is designed to be worked through on a one-to-one basis with a tutor.
Developing an Action Plan for Independent Learning
Worksheet to support students to outline an structured action plan for their studies. This resource provides a template to encourage students to be effective independent learners, able to identify: what they want to learn; the best ways for them to learn what they want to learn; and how to demonstrate learning.
Induction booklet – template and examples
This resource offers a customisable template for a booklet to support students through the induction process. An exemplar booklet is also available from a student intake at the University of Manchester. A set of notes are provided detailing the background, aims and objectives, design and student evaluation of the booklet.
Writing for Assignments E-library (Wrasse)
Students can browse examples of students work from a number of subject areas, and see comments from lecturers
Tips for writing a critical essay
This guide provides students with additional tips to help them apply models of critical thinking to their writing.
What’s the difference between description and critical analysis?
What's the difference between description and critical analysis?
Critical thinking and reflection
A comprehensive range of guides exploring the critical thinking process.
Activity time: Up to 1 hour
Types of media: Handout/s, Video, Interactive Learning Object
What is critical thinking?
A brief introduction to critical thinking
How do staff and students define critical thinking?
A brief introduction to staff and students interpretations of critical thinking
Oral Communication website
A website hosting a number a number of staff and student resources to support the development of oral communication
Checklist for effective reports
A quick checklist for an effective report
Is a dissertation just a longer report?
This guide is designed to show you how to adapt your current report writing practices for doing a longer independent research project like a dissertation.
Using Graphical Data
An introduction to the effective use of graphical data
Writing clearly and concisely
A helpsheet explaining how to write clearly and concisely. Includes sections on the use of long words and abbreviations.
How do I critically analyse my findings?
A helpsheet outling a step by step explanation of the analysis of research findings. This includes an example of the process.
Structure of reports
A detailed explanation of the content of subsections of a report. This includes information about titles for sections as well as suggested content.
What makes a good report?
This resource includes a list of commonly perceived tropes of sub-standard reports as well as a detailed breakdown of suggested content of report sections.
What’s the difference between reports and essays?
A table outlining features of essays and reports in relation to one another.
Why is report writing so important?
An explanation of why reports are a critical format for presenting research results. Includes a brief outline stating the identifyable traits of a good report.
Notemaking: ten top tips
An informative mindmap showing the top ten tips for notemaking.
Notemaker
An online resource on notemaking, including links to information on Linear, Pattern and Cornell notes. An easily navigable resource. Also features templates for the learner to experiment with note taking.
Essay writing pack
A downloadable workbook for students which can be tailored to different essay questions. The workbook structures enables the essay to be structured in an orderly way, allowing for the process to be learned as the assignment is completed.
Activity time: Varies
Types of media: Helpsheet, Word Document, Interactive Learning Object
Notemaking in lectures
A student helpsheet describing a process for effective strategies for notemaking in lectures. Includes notes on preperation and process.
Example agenda and minutes for group work meetings
Some sample documents to help students get started with organising their group project meetings. Includes a sample meeting agenda, and sample minutes from a group project meeting.
Meeting roles for group work
An overview of some of the roles in group project meetings. Includes an outline of responsibilities for chair, record keeper, time keeper and task manager.
Ground rules for group work
An overview of things to consider when setting ground rules for a group work project. It covers rules around personal conduct and working practice, as well as an outline of why setting group rules is a useful exercise at the start of a project.
Group work booklet
This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to student group work. It covers topics such as how and why groupwork is used in HE, getting started with your group, personalities and roles, communication, dealing with conflict, reviewing progress and making decisions.
Feedback and reflection in group work
An overview of tips for providing and receiving useful and constructive feedback in a group working environment. It covers tips for both giving and receiving feedback.
Group project management
An overview of tips to effectively manage group work projects. It covers breaking down the task, scheduling and setting deadlines, communicating and monitoring progress.
Effective communication
Advice on how to communicate effectively, particularly in a group working environment. Areas covered include active listening, body language and clarity of expression.
Creating your team
An overview of some tips for creating your team. It covers some of the steps to take at the outset of a group work project to ensure that the group works together effectively.
Research terms glossary
A glossary of research terms.
What is research?
This guide provides an overview of research methods and methodologies, including practical advice for those new to research, and tips on how to avoid some of the most common pitfalls for new researchers. It covers a background to research; getting started; quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods.
How to start writing
An overview of some techniques to get started with writing after conducting research for an assignment. Includes information about planning, freewriting, structuring and writing paragraphs.Includes a worksheet for students to download and keep for reference.
Activity time: 30 minutes
Types of media: Handout/s, Webpage, Helpsheet, Word Document
Approaching the Question
This resource highlights the importance of fully considering an essay title and offers guidance on essay title interpretation. The resource suggests how identifying directive words, the topic area and limiting words may help students to organise and structure their essays effectively, and thus obtain higher grades.
Commas
This resource identifies how attention to punctuation, particularly standard comma use, may improve coherence and grades. The main uses of commas are identified, such as listing, bracketing and joining. Explanations and examples are given for the context in which they are most commonly correctly utilised in academic work.
Planning your work
This resource highlights the importance of planning work, and how this may improve essay coherence and structure. According to personal preference, the resource offers the linear, cornell or mindmapping approach to planning as guidance for achieving higher grades.
How to structure your writing
Highlighting the importance of structure to constructing clear and effective communication, this resource offers advice on improving structure and planning in academic writing. The resource offers techniques, particularly essay focus and basic structures, which may help to improve student work.
How to structure a paragraph
This resource highlights the importance of clear and effective paragraphing to essay coherence. The resource explains the basic aims and structure of a paragraph, along with a checklist of features. Signposting words and phrases can be particularly useful for introducing theory, linking or concluding an essay.
What is academic writing?
This resource identifies the common key features of academic writing, such as formality, correct grammar and a logical structure, and how this may be different from other forms of writing.
Checking your assignments’ references
This resource highlights the importance of referencing to the overall assignment quality. The resource directs students to proof-read their work and identify correct use of referencing in the main body of the essay, as well as in the reference list itself.
Maths instruction words
This resource identifies the key terms used in Mathematics assignments, defining them in a way in which assists student understanding of assignment titles and questions.
Instruction words in essay questions
This resource prompts students to initially consider what the assignment question is asking directly, by identifying key phrases. Although variant upon subject, the resource identifies general definitions for key words commonly utilised within essay questions.
Brainstorming ideas for your assessment
This resource offers the 'mindmapping' or 'spider-diagram' technique as an initial assignment planning method. This method also prompts the student to consider the research process, and deadlines by which reading and note-taking should be completed.
Revising for maths assessments
This resource offers tips in preparation for Maths assessments which may help students to improve their work.
Learning from your assessment feedback
Highlighting the importance of assessment feedback, this resource offers advice on how students may make the most out of any comments received. Guidance includes reading feedback as soon as it is received, keeping a learning journal and forming action plans.
Activity time: 30 minutes
Types of media: Handout/s, Webpage, Helpsheet, Word Document
Assessment: Step-by-step
This resource offers guidance for students on achieving the best possible marks in assessments. Tips include understanding the question or brief, practicality, an awareness of assessment criteria, planning and previous feedback.
Planning timetables and schedules
This resource details guidance for students on how to compose weekly, termly and project timetables. The resource provides further tools, with a particular focus on being realistic whilst flexible with any time available.
Activity time: 40 minutes
Types of media: Handout/s, Webpage, Helpsheet, Word Document, Interactive Learning Object
Getting organised
This resource contains organisational guidance for students to help them stay on top of their work-load, further their time management skills and consequently reduce stress levels. This includes the importance of an appropriate working space, the use of a filing system and a general awareness of course information.
Making more hours in the day
This resource contains guidance for students on managing their time effectively. This includes pointers on developing study practices, prioritising tasks and actively putting personal study first.
Activity time: 20 Minutes
Types of media: Handout/s, Webpage, Helpsheet, Interactive Learning Object
Dealing with distractions
This resource offers guidance for students on identifying their distractions, considering the consequences of specific tasks when prioritising them, as well as strategy ideas for tackling distractions.
Activity time: Unknown time
Types of media: Handout/s, Webpage, Helpsheet, Interactive Learning Object
Overcoming procrastination
This resource details specific strategies for students facing common difficulties with their work, which may lead to procrastination. This includes how to cope with multiple tasks, poor concentration, how to structure essays and turn feedback into constructive criticism and prioritise study over other commitments.
The 5 step plan
This resource for students details five key steps for taking control of your workload. This includes listing tasks to complete, breaking down big tasks into smaller steps, organising tasks under headings ('now', 'sooner' or 'later), taking one task at a time as well as prioritising and planning tasks.