TOPIC 2

STUDY SKILLS
Academic Instructor: Minh Lam Giang, Nguyen

Master of Science of Management

The University of Northampton, United Kingdom

 LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Apply essay writing skills; and
2. Apply the tips and strategies of studying for examinations
 2.1. ESSAY WRITING
SKILLS
(a) Ideas are organised in a formal order or structure.
(b) Write-up discusses the theories and causes of a given topic.
(c) Facts are supported by references from academic literature.
(d) Writing tone uses concise, formal, and objective language.
(e) Language adheres to traditional conventions of punctuation,
grammar and spelling.
 2.1.1 STEPS FOR WRITING
ESSAY
Step 1: Select the Topic
Step 2: Analyse the Topic
Step 3: Prepare an Outline
Step 4: Search for Information
Step 5: Read and Make Notes from the Information
Step 6: Write the Essay
Step 7: Review and Edit
 2.1.1 STEPS FOR WRITING
ESSAY
Step 1: Select the Topic

Step 2: Analyse the Topic

Step 3: Prepare an Outline

Step 4: Search for Information

Step 5: Read and Make Notes from the

Information

Step 6: Write the Essay

steps Step 7: Review and Edit

2.1.2. STRUCTURE OF AN
ESSAY

(a) Introduction;

(b) Main Content;

(c) Conclusion

(d) References.
 2.1.2. STRUCTURE OF AN
ESSAY
(a) Introduction;
• Provide an overview or brief background on the topic.
EG: Cross-culture communication
Leadership
Macroeconomics issues
• Purpose & scope of the essay/a discussion
• Provide essay objectives.
2.1.2. STRUCTURE OF AN
ESSAY
 2.1.2. STRUCTURE OF AN
ESSAY
(b) Main Content
• Contain ideas, opinions, arguments and facts, explained
systematically and logically.
• Should flow from one to another.
• One main idea per main point/ or paragraph with supporting
details and given sub-title.
• Think critically
• Search for information and review content critically
 2.1.2. STRUCTURE OF AN
ESSAY
(b) Main Content
 2.1.2. STRUCTURE OF AN
ESSAY
( c ) Conclusion
• Summary of your essay
• Show the progress in the development of the topic.
 2.1.2. STRUCTURE OF AN
ESSAY
( c ) Conclusion
 2.1.2. STRUCTURE OF AN
ESSAY
(d) References
❑ Main Reasons For Referencing
▪ To follow up on the references and find the sources.
▪ Read widely a range of opinions by other authors.
▪ To check the accuracy of the information
▪ To avoid plagiarism.
▪ To avoid losing marks
 2.1.2. STRUCTURE OF AN
ESSAY
❑ Two Components Of Referencing:
▪ In-text citation (Figure 2.4)

▪ Reference list (Figure 2.5)

❑ Reference Styles
APA (American Psychological Association)

MLA (Modern Language Association), Oxford, Harvard and Chicago

 Reference Styles

• Example: APA Referencing

 Q. IN-TEXT CITATION
VS. REFERENCE LIST
•In searching your textbook, try to figure out
which one in-text citation and reference list?
 Q.
• Video: How to do in-text citation in APA format?
• Write an introduction for an essay on a topic of your choice.
• What information should be included under “Introduction” (or in
different parts of the essay)?
• How to avoid plagiarism?
 2.1.3 AVOID
PLAGIARISM
(a) Paraphrasing
• Re-writing the ideas using your own words
(b) Using Quotation
• To discuss the exact words
• Too many quotations can be distracting and you
• Will not have your own voice
( c ) Acknowledging the Author
• Both in-text reference and reference list according to the
APA Citation Style.
 2.1.4 APA REFERENCING
STYLE

(a) Citation Machine;

(b) Citeitforme; and bibMe
(c) Microsoft Word > References > Insert Citation>
Bibliography.
 2.1.4 APA REFERENCING
STYLE
• https://www.citationmachine.net/apa/cite-a-book
• https://www.citethisforme.com/
• https://www.bibme.org/apa
2.1.4 APA REFERENCING
STYLE
 PRACTICE:
REFERENCING
• Cite the APA referencing style for the following book.
• Book Title: The 21st century learner
• Book Author: Beverly Sheppard
• Book Publisher: Institute of Museum and Library Services
• Publication Year: 2001
 2.1.5 COMMON FAULTS
IN ESSAY

Off-Topic
Badly Organised
Shallow Content
and Lacks Flow

Poor Fluency of Lack of In-text

Poorly Written
Language Citations and
Main Content
References
 2.1.5 COMMON FAULTS
IN ESSAY
OFF-TOPI
CIllustration:
• Someone would get a band 5 for TASK RESPONSE if they only
answered the question 'partially‘.
• Band 4 if it was answered in a 'minimal' way
• Band 3 if the whole essay was absolutely nothing to do with the
question
 2.1.5 COMMON FAULTS
IN ESSAY
OFF-TOPI
C
An example
QUESTION:
• As English is now the world language and an essential skill in
business, English language instruction should begin in kindergarten.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
STUDENTS RESPONSE
• In this Modern era, successive growth in any country will be achieved
by understandable language communication. To acquire this, a
multinational language like English needs to be learned by every
individual in all nations. I agree with the opinion that English language
should be taught as an essential tool for children from their nursery age.
 2.1.5 COMMON FAULTS IN
ESSAY
OFF-TOPI
C
Example
STUDENTS RESPONSE
• Firstly, by teaching English as the primary language in kindergarten it
will be better for society in terms of economic and business growth.
There will be strong and mutual relationships with other countries that
can result in unproblematic exchanges of natural resources. In addition,
second language English speaking countries like China and Korea are
starting to use English as their primary subject in the education sector. In
keeping in mind the long term, it can used as utile tool that leads to an
effective communication between instructors and students which results
in competitive results.
 2.1.5 COMMON FAULTS IN
ESSAY
OFF-TOPI
CHOW TO BUILD YOUR PAPER NOT TO
GO OFF THE TOPIC
• Tip #1: Read your topic carefully
• Tip #2: Map an outline
• Tip #3: Write and go back and forth to the content to check it
carefully.
 2.1.5 COMMON FAULTS IN
ESSAY
Shallow Content
WHAT NEED TO BE DONE?
1. Write sufficient content that fully addressed the topic’s issue.
2. Support your arguments with evidence and give detailed
information
3. Provide examples on the ess.ay topic
 2.1.5 COMMON FAULTS IN
ESSAY
Unorganized Structure and lack flow
WHAT NEED TO BE DONE?
• Introduction, main content, conclusion and references in the correct
order.
• Write in a paragraph under the main content.
• All sections and sub sections should be given headings and
sub-headings accordingly.
 2.1.5 COMMON FAULTS
IN ESSAY
Poor fluency of language
• Typo
• Grammatical Mistakes
 2.1.5 COMMON FAULTS
IN ESSAY
In-text Citations and References
2 PRINCIPLES:
• Paraphrasing
• In-text Citation & References
STRATEGIES FOR
EXAM 2.2.1 PREPARING FOR
EXAMS
Neccesary
documents

How To
Have A Good
Memorise
Study Plan
The Facts

Have A Good
Set Of Notes

Practice
Tests
STRATEGIES FOR
EXAM
2.2.2. MEMORIZING FOR
EXAM
• SQ3R is a reading comprehension method named for its five
steps:
1. Survey
2. Question
3. Read
4. Recite
5. Review.
• Follow the steps below to learn how to glean as much information
as possible from the text requirements from any class.
• Remember: The information you gain from reading is important.
STRATEGIES FOR
EXAM SQ3R METHOD
BY FRANCIS. P
ROBINSON
STRATEGIES FOR
EXAM
2.2.2. MEMORIZING FOR
EXAM
Mnemonics
• A tool that helps us remember certain facts or large amounts of
information.
• Can come in the form of a song, rhyme, acronym, image, phrase,
or sentence.
• Mnemonics help us remember facts and are particularly useful
when the order of things is important.
 2.2.2. MEMORIZING FOR
EXAM
EG: Mnemonics
• Mercury
• Venus
• Earth
• Mars My Very Excited Mother Just Served Us Nine Pies.
• Jupiter
• Saturn
• Uranus
• Neptune
• Pluto
 2.2.2 MEMORISING FOR
EXAMS
(a) SQ3R Reading Technique
• S = Survey
• Q = Question
• R = Read
• R = Recite
• R = Review
(b) Mnemonics
(c) Vivid Association
(d) Visual Memory
(e) Say It Loud
(f) Practise Answering Questions
 2.2.3 TYPES OF EXAM
QUESTIONS
3 parts:
•Part A (Answer all questions)
•Part B (There are 5 questions, answer any 3)
•Part C (There are 2 questions, answer only 1
question).
 2.2.3 TYPES OF EXAM
QUESTIONS
• Question Types
 2.2.3 TYPES OF EXAM
QUESTIONS
(a) Short Answer Questions
• Marks indicate show much you should write
→ Between a few words and a paragraph.

• When answering short questions:

(i) Plan your answers by making notes of what will be written.
(ii) Keep the answer short and specific.
(iii) Mark the question that you are not sure and re-visit the question
later.
(iv) Answer ALL questions.
 2.2.3 TYPES OF EXAM
QUESTIONS
• Essay Type Questions - anything from a few paragraphs to a
few pages depending on the requirement of the question
• HOW TO STUDY FOR ESSAY TYPE QUESTION:
(i) You should look for possible questions that could be asked for
each topic/chapter. It will be related to the learning outcomes of the
topic/chapter.
(ii) Identify the important concepts in every chapter.
(iii) Make notes of important concepts question instructions: explain,
describe, discuss, compare, analyse, etc.
 2.2.3 TYPES OF EXAM
QUESTIONS
NOTES :
(i) Read and analyse the question carefully.
(ii) Plan your answer mindmap. Write a few key words
under each point.
(iii) Write out the answer in the exam answer sheet
(iv) Use numbering system for sub-points
 2.2.3 TYPES OF EXAM
QUESTIONS
NOTES :
(v) Include examples
(vi)To leave a few lines in between each paragraph to add more
information later.
(vii) Write down your key points to get a few marks rather leaving it
blank.
(viii) Not write in the margins paper
(ix) Write neatly and proof read as you write.
 2.2.3 TYPES OF EXAM
QUESTIONS
(c) Multiple-choice Question
(i) Select the best answer.
(ii) Eliminate the wrong answer.
(iii) Look out for negatives.
(iv) Be cautious of “All the Above” and “None of
the Above”
(v) Mark the question that you are not sure and
re-visit
(vi) Answer all questions.
 SUMMARY
• It is important for 21st century learners to master essay writing
skills and ace the exams.
• An essay includes Introduction, Main Content, Conclusion and
References.
• There are 7 steps involved in writing an essay effectively.
• Plagiarism can be avoided through paraphrasing and quotation
and acknowledging the authors by citing them in references. Your
essay should cite references according to the APA citation style.
 SUMMARY
• There are several strategies that can help you do well for
examinations, such as know how to prepare yourself, apply
effective memorising methods and be familiar with the exam
formats and type of questions.
• As a learner you need to know how to study for and answer the 3
common exam types of questions namely, short answer question,
essay type question and multiple-choice question.
 ASSIGNMENT (P1)
• TASK 1 (10%):
i. Decide on ONE environmental issue to focus on.
ii. Write a one-page essay (about 250-300 words) on the issue
selected.
 TASK REQUIREMENT
(P1)

(i) Paraphrasing
(ii ) Acknowledging the Author
• In-text citation
• Reference list