NMCHstudySMART@gcal.ac.uk Writing at University. NMCHstudySMART@gcal.ac.uk Writing at University...

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Writing at University

NMCHstudySMART@gcal.ac.uk

Writing at University

Today’s Session

1. Academic conventions of writing.

2. Different types of written assessments.

3. Plagiarism and how to avoid it.

4. Referencing correctly.

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Writing for University

• Different types of writing:-Essay-Report-Dissertation-Portfolio

• Basic conventions throughout

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Writing for University

Conventions• Be clear and concise• Formal and impersonal• Use ‘it’ instead of ‘I’ or ‘we’.• Bibliography and referencing• Avoid abbreviations such as ‘didn’t’ – use ‘did not’.• Think carefully about grammar and punctuation.• Use a spell checker.

NMCHstudySMART@gcal.ac.uk

Writing for University

Conventions (2)• Spell out any acronyms that you use.• Don’t start sentences with ‘linking words’ – ‘and’, ‘but’…• Avoid colloquialisms or slang – ‘dead easy’.• Useful resources produced by Effective Learning Service at GCU.

NMCHstudySMART@gcal.ac.uk

Writing for University

Top tips• Always write a plan. • Check your structure.• Read through your work.• Referencing.

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Writing for University

Exercise • In small groups, consider the writing that has been circulated on the handouts. What makes the examples

good or bad? Are they formal or informal? How does the composition flow? Are there any grammatical

problems?

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Writing for University

Types of academic writing

- Essay- Case study- Report- Dissertation- Portfolio

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Writing for University

Reflection • Links theory and practice. • How and why do you do things?• ERA cycle

action reflective processes

experience

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Writing for University

Reflection • Reflection-in-action vs or reflection-on-action• Gibbs (1988), Johns (2000) and Rolfe et al (2001)• SWOB (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Barriers) analysis.• Who, what, where, when, why and how was something

done?

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Writing at University

What is plagiarism?

‘to use another person's idea or a part of their work and pretend that it is your own’ Cambridge Dictionaries Online

‘the deliberate and substantial unacknowledged incorporation in a student’s work of material derived from the work (published or unpublished) of another’ University Assessment Regulations

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Writing at University

What is plagiarism?

• Much of plagiarism at university is not deliberate cheating.• It tends to be a failure to reference and quote properly.• You must show a reader where your ideas, information and quotations have come from.

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Writing at University

Avoiding Plagiarism

• Understand the concept.• Understand the assessment.• Plan your time.• ‘Direct referencing’ (McKendry 2008)• McKendry’s indirect referencing (2008)

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Writing at University

Referencing – Text Citations

NMCH uses the Harvard referencing system

i) A recent study (Baird 2002) showed that …ii) Baird (2002) states that …iii) “With an average cost of £3200 to £5000 per case this has major cost implications for the future care of this group of patients” (Baird 2002, p. 79).

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Writing at University

Referencing – Listed References

• Hart, C. (2001) Doing a literature search, 3rd ed., Sage: London

• Verdu, J. (2003) “Can a decision tree help nurses to grade and treat pressure ulcers?”, Journal of Wound Care, Vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 45-50.

• Donovan, P. (2003) “Insights into maternal health” In: Grandis, S.,Long, G., Glasper, E. A. & Donovan, P. (eds) Foundation studiesfor nursing using enquiry based learning, 2nd ed., PalgraveMacMillan: Hampshire, pp. 15-47

• Scottish Executive (2003) Supporting people, supportingindependent living, HMSO: Edinburgh

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Writing at University

Referencing Activity

Have a look at the various texts around the room. Write down how you would reference each of them – both as in text citations and reference lists.

The School’s Referencing Guidelines are available to help you. Or ask us!

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Writing at University

Plagiarism Activity

In small groups, please have a look through the case studies we have given you. For each, decide:-Is this a case of plagiarism.- If so, what should the student have done differently

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Vic BoydStephanie McKendry

Academic Development Tutors NMCH