Unit Outline

This unit introduces the skills of academic writing by examining broad conventions. In this unit you will learn how to analyse assessment questions, plan and structure essays, build an academic language set, and write for the academic environment. To enable you to practise and apply your writing skills, you will complete individual journal pieces and an essay. This core unit in the University Preparation Program uses a series of micro themes to develop critical writing skills and to provoke interest in a range of disciplines. This introductory unit will prepare you for UPP026 (Academic Writing) and Associate Degree or Bachelor Degree writing.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Plan and create forms of writing for an academic context
2.	Communicate using academic conventions
3.	Evaluate and integrate academic sources

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To Be Determined

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	AT1: Written Reflection	Week 3	15 %	LO1
Assessment Task 2:	AT2: Online Writing journal	Week 8	35 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	AT3(a): Essay Plan	Week 11	10 %	LO1
Assessment Task 4:	AT3(b): Complete Essay	Week 14	40 %	LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: AT1: Written Reflection

Task Description:

This task focuses on language, form, sentence structure, and application of feedback. It will involve a reflective response to a short essay or article about writing. Students must use Studiosity services for feedback and apply that to their writing (including in the submission of the “feedback report”).

Task Length:

500 words (exc. Feedback report)

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Relate ideas from a provided text to personal writing experience.	LO1
2	Express ideas for an academic audience.	LO1
3	Reflect on and apply feedback	LO1

Assessment Task 2: AT2: Online Writing journal

Task Description:

This online writing journal is conducted in Weeks 4-8 of the semester, whereby students will contribute paragraphs of writing in response to selected sources related to micro-themes explored in the unit. The writing journal focuses on source evaluation and integration. Students must select and submit a minimum of three paragraphs (750 words) from their online writing journal that demonstrates their critical responses to academic sources. These paragraphs can be revised, based on feedback, for the AT3 essay task.

Task Length:

750 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Use evidence to support analysis.	LO3
2	Communicate with formal academic language	LO2
3	Acknowledge sources using academic referencing conventions.	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: AT3(a): Essay Plan

Task Description:

Students will select an essay question from one of the micro-themes explored in the unit and develop an essay plan based on the knowledge acquired from the reading and writing in AT2. This essay plan will be adapted based on feedback and used in the AT3 (b) complete essay.

Task Length:

100-300 words

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Organise ideas and structure	LO1
2	Apply an academic writing process	LO1

Assessment Task 4: AT3(b): Complete Essay

Task Description:

This essay is based on research on an essay question related to one of the unit’s micro-themes. Students will use feedback received from AT2 and AT3(a), make revisions, and use provided sources to develop a complete essay.

Task Length:

1500 word, +/- 10%

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Use academic sources to support ideas	LO3
2	Acknowledge sources using academic referencing conventions.	LO2
3	Communicate with formal academic language.	LO2

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.