Reading, writing and thinking for your degree

The Academic Achievement Team

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Who are we?

The Academic Achievement Team are here to help you develop the academic skills you need to
do really well on your degree. Let's get started. 

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University is all about thinking

We think about:
 
 what we choose to read
 the information we read
 how that information helps us answer questions 
 how to express all of this thinking in our writing

Remember you can already do a lot of this and you will develop more of these academic skills
on your degree.

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Thinking about what we choose to read

The information on Canvas should help you identify who the key writers are and maybe
even specific reading you could do. 
You will also find your reading list there. 
Use these recommendations, not random resources from the internet.
Trust your lecturer, not Google.

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Thinking about the information we read

We do this by using questions as we read:

what does the writer want us to believe or accept?
why do they want us to believe or accept this?
have they given us any evidence?

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Thinking about how that information helps us answer questions

Is this relevant? Try finishing the sentence "this is relevant because....."

How can I use it? Think about how it compares to other things you have read.
Remember you need to make notes as you go along. 
Do not try to read and write at the same time. 
Use the note-making template below to help.

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How to express all of this thinking in your writing

Spend longer writing your plan than the assignment.  This is where the work is.  
Ask yourself –
what are you going to include?  
What main points or information have you found?  
What do the different writers say about the topic?  
What do you think? 
What do you need to show your lecturer you know and understand? 
Use the templates below to help

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How to express all of that thinking in your writing

Use an academic style and tone. 

This means not using I, not using short forms e.g. can't instead of cannot.  
Use specific language from your subject.  
Use linking words to show the connections between ideas - however, similarly, etc.  
There are some examples on the templates to help you with this further.
Use the Editor feature on Office 365 to check your work is as clear as possible - see the video
below.

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The Academic Achievement Team have you covered with all this and more

When you arrive look for your Achievement Canvas Module. Here you can find lots
of resources, details of our voluntary classes, drop-ins and opportunities for 1-2-1 advice.

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Image of PC highlighting Academic Achievement Team courses on Canvas

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