Unit Outline

This unit introduces the skills of critical reading and writing essential for academic learning. You will learn the academic writing process, how to critically read and interpret a range of texts, and to write analytically as the foundation for academic writing. To enable you to practise and apply your reading and writing skills, you will complete a series of quizzes, a double-entry writing journal, and an academic writing improvement plan. This unit engages with topical issues to develop critical reading and writing skills and to provoke interest in a range of disciplines.

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 write structured texts for an academic context.
2	Apply formal English grammar conventions and language features in an academic context.
3	Interpret and integrate a range of texts, identifying key ideas and supporting details, to present a point of view in writing.
4	Apply the academic writing and feedback process to produce formal texts.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

The traditional essay has been replaced with a two-stage journal:

Stage 1: Five scaffolded journal submissions focusing on critical reading, structured writing, and integration of feedback.

Stage 2: A revised journal with annotations plus an Academic Writing Improvement Plan, emphasising reflection and strategy.

The text readings and themes explored for reading and writing activities are based on student suggestions.

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: Quizzes	Week 9	20 %	LO2
Assessment Task 2:	AT2: Double Entry Journal Stage 1	Week 10	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	AT3: Double Entry Journal Stage 2	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: AT1: Quizzes

Task Description:

You will complete 4 short quiz activities during weeks 3,5,7,9, covering foundational grammar and academic writing concepts that underpin the writing skills needed for university.

Task Length:

4 Quizzes of 10 questions each

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply grammar rules used in academic writing.	LO2
2	Apply language features used in academic writing.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: AT2: Double Entry Journal Stage 1

Task Description:

You will complete a writing journal of 5 x 200-word submissions in weeks 2,4,6,8,10, based on a selection of texts discussed in weekly workshops. The journal will help you develop critical reading skills by responding to scaffolded questions. It will include a reflective response that explores your writing experiences, along with responses to topical issues that increase in complexity throughout the semester.

Task Length:

5 x 200-word submissions in weeks 2,4,6,8,10. 1000 words total.

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Construct responses that follow academic conventions.	LO1, LO2
2	Interpret and communicate key ideas from provided texts.	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: AT3: Double Entry Journal Stage 2

Task Description:

You will revise five previously written texts (from Assessment Task 2) by applying feedback and annotating your changes. Your journal will also include referencing conventions. You’ll also complete an Academic Writing Improvement Plan that reflects on your strengths and areas for growth, and outlines practical strategies to improve your writing, based on feedback and personal reflection.

Task Length:

1300 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Revise and annotate writing to improve structure, referencing, and communication of ideas.	LO1, LO4
2	Integrate ideas from texts to support a perspective.	LO3
3	Reflect on academic writing development to identify strengths and strategies for improvement.	LO4

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.