Course overview
The aim of this course is to prepare students for the university environment by equipping them with academic literacy skills. This course develops students' academic literacy skills. Students are introduced to conventions of academic writing and the importance of understanding what a text's audience, purpose and content are. Across the course, students learn to construct different text types commonly used at university level and learn the importance of editing and proofing written work.
Students examine the difference in writing styles for varying disciplines, and practice skimming and scanning; note-taking; summarising; building an academic argument; and referencing and academic integrity skills. Students also analyse fundamental aspects of question comprehension; apply reading strategies for complex texts; and rehearse the application of areas of writing construction and common English grammar including punctuation and register; effective time management and meeting deadlines. They will learn how to build strong study habits by strategically breaking down and applying the 8-10 hours of study expectation for a university course per week.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate key reading, note-taking, summarising, and paraphrasing skills to locate, recognise, evaluate, and utilise key ideas
- Interpret rules and conventions of academic writing, including the development of written piece from first draft to submission-ready draft
- Apply planning, structure, and editing to writing; and to evaluate how well their work is meeting marking criteria
- Create and construct an effective argument to convince a reader (including writing for audio purposes)
- Display correct application of referencing conventions, and an understanding of the importance of academic integrity values