Module Code CT1H01NI:

Study Skills For Communication Technology

Lecture for Week 2

2014-2015 Autumn

Agenda• Week 2 Lecture coverage:

▫ Writing skills Essay writing

Writing Process1. Enjoy the Processa. You give yourself enough time to write up your work so that you

are not always rushing to meet deadlines.

b. You break writing tasks down into several stages with their own

deadlines. This is easier than trying to write the perfect essay or

report first time.

c. You regard writing as a craft. Write several drafts. Aim to make

each successive draft better than the previous one.

d. Familiarize yourself with the style and conventions of your subject.

Take pride in producing a piece of writing that is good by the

standards of your own subject.

Writing Process2. Define the task

Spend time working out exactly what is required by the

assignment title. The title will usually include a question that you must

answer.Think through:• Why was this particular title or assignment set?

• What are your tutors expecting that you will research?

• What issues do they intend you to cover?

• What theories, research and evidence do they expect you to refer to?

• What recent research or articles have been published on this subject?

• What methodologies are your tutors expecting you to use to

demonstrate that you understand how to apply these?

Writing Process3. Plan the assignment tasks• Use the word limit and the assignment title to guide you in

how much you need to read of each book and article

recommended.

• Make a list of all the steps you need to take in order to

finish the writing task. Work out how long each will take

you. Each step will probably take longer than you think so

plan for this.

• Write each task into your diary so you know when it will be

done.

Writing Process4. Make an outline plan for your writing• It takes time to rewrite each draft of your writing.

• The more you have to change, the longer it will take.

• This makes it worthwhile to develop a detailed outline of

your writing.

• If you do this straight onto the computer, you can

reorganise the plan on screen, and progressively build on

this until you complete your final draft.

Distinct stages of essay writing

1. Interpretation of the question2. Research3. Planning4. Writing5. Revision

Interpretation of the question•Interpreting question saves time•Gives clear idea of what the examiner is

looking for in your work•Better understanding of what can get you

good marks•Structure

▫Unravel the structure your essay should adopt•The range of abilities

▫Reveal the range of abilities the examiner is expecting to see you use

Research

•Brainstorming▫What you know about the issues the essay

question raises.▫The question you want your sources to

answer.• Reading skills

▫Need to be clear why you are reading a particular text

▫Skimming• Making Notes

Planning

1. Structure •Examiner should be able to navigate their

way through your ideas and arguments2. Your arguments•Sufficient evidence to support your points.3. Your writing •Will help in avoiding the problem of

pinning down your ideas clearly and then summoning up the words.

Putting Pen to Paper

•Style•Introduction•Paragraphs•Using evidence•Conclusions

Style

A simple practical guide, keep in mind the following:

•Choose the short simple word over the long obscure one.

•Use the active voice. •Rely on nouns and verbs to carry your

meaning. •Replace prepositional phrases with

prepositions. •Create fluency through transitions.

Introduction

1. The interpretation of the question (what is it getting at?)

2. The structure of your answer, the map the reader is going to follow.

3. Ensures examiners realize the relevance of your approach to the question.

Paragraphs• First, introduce the topic of the paragraph with a clear topic

sentence, which picks up an issue you have already analyzed in the

introduction.

• Tying each paragraph into the introduction in this way will create a

taut, cohesive and tightly reasoned essay.

• Whenever possible use a transition at the beginning of the topic

sentence to create fluency between paragraphs, or to indicate the

direction of your argument.

• Then develop the topic of the paragraph through analysis, criticism

and discussion.

• Finally, complete the paragraph with evidence and examples that

illustrate and support the points you have made.

Using evidence

•Support and illustrate your arguments•Makes work not only interesting but gives

real impact

Conclusion

•Give your opinions as long as they match the strength of your arguments.

•Summarize the main points. •Pick up the theme of the introduction. •Suggest wider implications. •Predict future trends.

Top tips for Essay writing1. Make sure that you are absolutely clear about the word length

and completion date.

2. If you are unsure about the question, get guidance before you

begin to prepare.

3. Get hold of the necessary background reading well in advance.

4. Markers are looking for you to express your own ideas, so get

them in order.

5. Make sure that you have full references for all the books that

you use.

6. Plan the whole essay in detail before you begin to write.

Technical writingDo: 

1. Think about your readers and how they want you to approach

the subject.

2. Write formally: use do not rather than don't, will not rather than

won't.

3. Use words accurately, checking technical terms with your tutor

or a professional journal.

4. Punctuate accurately, keeping sentences to a reasonable length.

5. Write reports in the past tense - they're about work you have

done.

6. Write impersonally: it was recommended rather than I

recommend.

Technical writing cont.Don't: 

1. Address the reader directly as you, or refer to yourself as I or

me.

2. Use abbreviations such as lab for laboratory or diag for

diagram.

3. Add personal comments such as how you felt about the work.

4. Waffle: write concisely and keep to the point.

5. Write sentences of more than about 40 words in length

Reference

•Palgrave (n.d.) Writing [online] Available from: http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/reading/index.asp