LN400DissertationinModernLanguagesSkillssessions

Anewmodule…

AimsandObjectivesoftheDissertationmodule:

• Developing your capacity for autonomous, in-depth study;

• Gaining a deep understanding of a particular topic in the study of Modern Languages & Cultures, in terms of its sources, facts, and problematics;

• Gaining advanced academic writing level• with an ability to marshal and present arguments and evidence• in a well-structured, extended piece of writing• according to accepted practice in the field.

Assessment100% assessed work, in the form of a dissertation of up to 10,000-11,000 words (excluding bibliography and footnotes)normally written in English (though quotations are usually in their original language)Deadline:T3(exactdateTBC)

Marking criteria Comparable to essays17-point scale

i. Factual content: the selection of relevant, detailed and accurate data, demonstrating a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the subject, and showing evidence of broader individual awareness.ii. Analytical skills: the ability to interpret the factual material critically and creatively, evaluating accepted judgements in the light of independent analysis, so as to form a coherent, scrupulously-structured argument which responds to the question with originality.iii. Presentation: the expression of the argument in lucid, fluent prose of an individual and engaging style. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar, should be correct, and the essay should be accompanied by a full and accurate bibliography (and notes where necessary).

Prerequisites and restrictions:

• final-year students only• Students must normally have obtained an average of

more than 65% in their 2nd-year, non-language modules• capacity for self-motivation, planning, and meeting

deadlines will be essential.• if taking joint Honours, normally allowed to opt for just

ONE dissertation in overall final-year curriculum

Do you meet these criteria?

Skills sessions1. Introduction to the Undergraduate Dissertation:

expectations - hurdles - opportunities - making a start

2. Defining and refining your topic:bibliographical research - databases - a proposal

3. The conventions of academic writing: referencing - quotations - organising your argument

4. Planning your work:timetable – writing (up) - the finishing touches -proofreading – printing and binding

Ø 5. Dissertation ForumØ 6. Trouble-shooting session

Whatisitexactly?

• Sometimescalledfinal-yearproject• Inthiscase10,000-11,000words(TBC)• Compare

§ “long”essay(4,000-5,000words)§ ontheContinent:tesi dilaurea,mémoire delicence (oftenover

twoyearsandlonger)§ Academicarticle(5,000-6,000words;couldbe12,000)§ MAdissertation20,000words§ MAbyResearch40,000words§ MPhilthesis60,000words§ PhDthesis80,000words (“substantiveoriginalcontributionto

knowledge”)

A coherent study of a well-defined problem or topic…

• Setting out objectives• Body of material/problem to be studied• Methodology• Research context• Research questions• Clear structure:

• introduction; main body; conclusion• Bibliography

• Neat lay-out; footnote apparatus• Title page

Hurdles?

² Bashing out your topic (with help from your supervisor)² Devising an appropriate structure² Setting targets and deadlines² Writing up² Mastering the academic idiom² Mastering referencing conventions² Providing a polished text and lay-out

Challenges?² Not knowing where to start / where to take things next² Writer’s block² Keeping up the momentum of the argument, not

petering out

Difficultieswithwriting?BookaplaceontheAcademicWritingDaycourse

(9November:placesarelimited,sohurry!)http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/skills/academicwriting/day/

• CheckoutgeneraladviceonWarwick’sSkillsandStudentDevelopmentPages

• Don’twaittillthe“writingup”stagetosharpenyourpen:• Writesomesampleparagraphsandreadthemoutloud• Makeeverywordcount• Writing=cuttingoutsuperfluouswords• Doyouknowhowtomakethemostofthelanguage

settingsonyourwordprocessor?(bewareofhypercorrections)

http://www.mhra.org.uk/Publications/Books/StyleGuide/download.shtml