succeeding at university
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Succeeding at University. Nicola Cummins English + Linguistics University of Otago [email protected]. Philip Maw Academic English Foundation Studies University of Otago [email protected]. NCEA and standards based assessment Marks, percentages, and grades Some choice - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Succeeding at UniversityNicola CumminsEnglish + LinguisticsUniversity of [email protected]
Philip MawAcademic English
Foundation StudiesUniversity of Otago
Differences between School and University
• NCEA and standards based assessment• Marks, percentages, and grades
• Some choice• All parts compulsory
• Credits• Grades
• Resubmissions• One chance only
Differences between School and University
• No late penalties• Due date/late penalties
• Reports• Results only
• Free• Fees
• Adolescent• Adult
Key Graduate AttributeThe ability to communicate
• A university degree signifies communicative competency:– Able to cope with influx of communication– Process it– Obtain a good outcome
• A transferable skill, not strictly vocationally focused.
Cultural Literacy
• New students need to become familiar with new language and culture.
• New cultural fields at university include:– Institutions within the institution– Rules– Titles and positions– Behavioural conventions– Teaching and assessment genres– Discourse
• Attitudes, values and customs will differ.
To Succeed, get ready to Read!• Lots and lots of information arrives in the first two
weeks, get into processing mode in order to begin cultural literacy.– Course outlines/syllabi– Information from campus agencies:
• Students’ Association• Student Health• Residential College• Student Learning Centre
• StudyLink– Get StudyLink sorted out otherwise communication is
impaired as no access to resources including library, campus network, and VLEs.
A Big Myth
• If students fail at university, they must be dumb.
• NO!• Students usually
manage their own failure through communication failures, especially organization and time management.
Workload Calculation• UO calculates workload as follows: • Most semester papers = 18 points• Each point = 10 hours work• One paper = 180 hours work over 12/13
weeks = 13 to 15 hours per week, per paper.• Only three or four of those hours are class
time.• Students need to be independent learners to
succeed.• School may inadvertently foster co-
dependency.
Beware Quick-Es
• University depends on email as staff tend to the peripatetic.
• Students often struggle with appropriate tone when emailing.
• Advocate politeness, and complete sentences—see sample interaction next slide.
Beware Quick-Es• Hey! There is no way i am going to make it to todays test
due to extenuating circumstances that are out of my control. Is there i tutorial on tomorrow i could attend? Cheers Student X
• Dear Student X, the final test session is at 3pm today Wed. in CO218. If you can make this time at short notice you are welcome to turn up and ask the tutor if you can sit the test then. Otherwise, contact Dr Z who is the paper co-ordinator and explain your circumstances. It may be possible to sit a make-up test. Best wishes, Tutor Y
• Well no i can most definately not make the test at an hours notice that is ridiculous i will have to contact Z tomorrow.
Stay SEXY
• See Miller’s Tale sample essay.• Students forget to elaborate and explain in
their paragraphs.• Plenty of good ideas, but they are
substantiated by a quotation then left to founder alone with only a sentence of additional explanation.
Explanation Essay - StructureIntroduction:Opening/general/background statement- topic , time and place
Definition of key words from the topicScope – the three points the essay will focus on - Have the strongest point last
Body Paragraphs:Topic sentenceElaborate, explain and expandExample(s)Concluding sentence linking back to the question
Conclusion:Summary of the scope but using different wordsStatement of Relative Importance and a reason why
The Argument Essay
An Argument Essay gives an opinion and supports it with evidence. Its purpose is to persuade the reader to agree with the opinion of the writer or to show reasons for a particular opinion.
Stages of an Argument EssayIntroduction: gives an overall view of the essay.1. General statement: to introduce the reader to
the subject of the essay.2. Definition: to explain any important technical
words to the reader.3. Position Statement: to give the opinion of the
writer.4. Scope: to tell the reader what parts of the topic
will be included in the essay
Stages of an Argument Essay1. Body: the main part of the essay where evidence
is presented with supporting material. Arguments: to explain to the reader the evidence
that supports the position statement. At least two paragraphs should present a counter-
argument which is then refuted.
Stages of an Argument EssayConclusion: to restate the main arguments and
reinforce the position. No new evidence is given in the conclusion.
1. Summary: to give the reader a brief reminder of the main ideas.
2. Position Statement: to tell the reader what the writer believes is the best action to take, considering the evidence in the essay.
The Discussion EssayIntroduction
Background StatementWhat, Where and When should be covered
Definition From a recognised and respected referenceIn-text referenced
Statement of IssueThis tells that there are two sides
Scope or Thesis Statement
Usually a four point scopeStart with the side you least favourThen use a contrast connector – On the other hand,
In contrast, However or ConverselyState the two points of the side that you supportUse a separate sentence for each scope point
Body Paragraphs One and TwoTopic SentenceElaborate and explainAt least TWO examples to PROVE the point.These must be in-text referenced (Maw 2011)Must be paraphrasedConcluding sentence must refer back to the topic
sentence and the overall issue
Body Paragraphs Three and FourBody paragraph three MUST start with a contrasting
connector –However, On the other hand Conversely In contrast
The ConclusionSum up the two sides keeping the same order as
your scope from the introductionThe start of third scope point must have a
contrasting connector to show the change of sidesMake a clear judgmentFinish with a recommendation for the future
The Reference Listwww.bibme.org is a very useful site.Check to see what citation style is preferred by the
departmentBe consistent. Stay with one style and version.