| CODE | MCS1080 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Writing for Media and Communications | ||||||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Media and Communications | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Academic writing is formal, structured, and backed up by evidence. This study-unit introduces Communications students to the skills required for academic writing for them to use a range of reading and research strategies to evaluate and analyse sources and then to structure the information gathered in a concise, logical way. The study-unit introduces an understanding of the organisation of ideas in common types of academic texts, as well as the skills needed to communicate effectively to the reader. It also looks to develop students’ competence in the use of the grammar, vocabulary, expressions, style and conventions typically used in academic writing. The study-unit breaks down the approach to academic research and how it is reported: the abstract, introduction and methodology; identifying claims and evidence; providing evidence: quotes, examples and citations; building an argument and, essentially, structuring an academic paper. The study-unit also looks at how the literature review can help students get a clearer idea of their subject areas. Referencing is also a technical requirement in academic writing and a crucial way to show the credibility of the evidence. In this way, students can learn how to make connections and build a narrative, while referencing and citing. Study-Unit Aims: The aim of the study-unit is to provide an overview of academic writing in English and to help students to develop fluency in academic writing through language and writing practice. This teaches students to develop an appropriate academic style, helps them in structuring, paragraphing and cohesion, writing effective sentences, as well as citation and referencing. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Develop essential knowledge of the organisation of ideas in common academic texts (e.g. essays, reports, dissertations, publications); - Improve the organisation and expression of arguments, evidence and stance in writing; - Avoid common grammatical, vocabulary and stylistic errors; - Receive valuable feedback on their academic writing and advice on how to continue to develop throughout their degree course. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Develop essential skills to integrate ideas from the literature into the student’s writing; - Use linking words and expressions to communicate effectively with the reader; - Develop use of essential academic grammar, vocabulary and style; - Distinguish between academic and other forms of writing. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students. University of Michigan Press. Supplementary Readings: - Murray, R., & Moore, S. (2006). The Handbook of Academic Writing: A Fresh Approach. Open University Press. - Savage, A. & Mayer, P. (2012). Effective Academic Writing (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. - Silvia, P. J. (2019). How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing. American Psychological Association. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Gorg Mallia |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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