Quick Clicks (QC)

Constructing graphs, tables and diagrams

2008-07-21T22:42:00.001-07:00

Meaning can be conveyed with graphs, tables and diagrams as well as words. This is particularly the case with scientific writing. This Quick Click will introduce you to the fundamentals on how to represent information to its best advantage to support your research.
QC Constructing graphs, tables and diagrams

Making the most of feedback

2008-07-17T21:36:00.000-07:00

Feedback is an important way in which a lecturer communicates with a student about their learning. This Quick Click highlights how feedback is important and how you can make the most of feedback on one piece of work to improve the next.
QC Making the most of feedback

Reflective Writing in blogs and wikis

2008-07-17T21:29:00.000-07:00

Blogs and wikis are gaining popularity as tools through which to reflect your learning journey. This Quick Click offers a few approaches you can use. It also explores some of the ways in which these tools might be assessed.
QC Reflective writing in blogs and wikis

Assignment Planner

2008-07-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

A handy resource for the beginning of the Study Period!
QC Assignment Planner

Word Order

2007-12-03T15:45:00.000-08:00

Word Order in English is important because it can alter the meaning of a sentence. This resource will help you to make decisions in writing to help you say what you really want to say when you write.

QC Word Order

Planning a group presentation

2007-09-16T20:27:00.000-07:00

Group work is a commonly assessed activity at UniSA. The unique thing about doing group presentations at UniSA is that a high level of cooperation between group members is required. Sometimes, the group members are complete strangers! There are some useful steps to follow to help the process run smoothly.

QC Planning a group presentation

Abstracts, introductions, conclusions

2007-04-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

Abstracts, the introductions and the conclusions all seem to require you to include similar details but each needs to be written differently because they all have different purposes.

Abstracts, introductions and conclusions are useful for thesis and report writing.

QC Writing abstracts, introductions and conclusions for a thesis or report

Analysing questions

2007-04-03T18:41:00.000-07:00

Analysing questions is an important first step when tackling your assignment tasks. If you are not clear on what you are expected to do in your assignment you could waste a lot of time and receive a poor mark for your assignment because you ‘didn’t answer the question’.

QC Analysing questions

Apostrophe

2007-04-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

The apostrophe is used in two ways: as a deleting mark to abbreviate or shorten words (where letters or a letter has been omitted) and to show possession.

QC Punctuation marks - the apostrophe (')

Capital letters

2007-04-03T18:39:00.000-07:00

Capital letters were traditionally used to show ‘respect’ for particular words, and as a result, they have an important place in written English.

QC Punctuation marks - capital letters

Colon, semicolon

2007-04-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

A semicolon is a separation mark indicating a break longer than a comma; but not as long or as final as a full stop. These can be difficult to get correct so may be best avoided if possible.

QC Punctuation marks - semicolons (;) and colons (:)

Commas

2007-04-03T18:35:00.000-07:00

Commas are separation marks and are used to indicate a short break in a sentence. The current accepted style is to use them as little as possible and only when they are needed to help the reader understand the meaning more clearly. If you read your work aloud you will be able to hear a slight pause where you should make a break with a comma in your writing.

QC Punctuation marks - commas (,)

Directives

2007-04-03T18:33:00.002-07:00

Directive word or words such as ‘analyse’, ‘discuss’ or ‘compare’ tell you what kind of ‘job’ you need to do in your essay. It is important that you clearly understand this. A list of commonly used directive words and an interpretation of what they mean appears below.

QC Commonly used directive words

Editing

2007-04-03T18:33:00.001-07:00

Before you hand in any assignment it is important that you carefully edit it. This means checking it on a number of levels from correct grammar and punctuation to ensuring you have answered the question fully. Use the checklists below before submitting.

QC Editing your own work

Family names

2007-04-03T18:31:00.002-07:00

Identifying the family name (surname) in English names is important in academic work at Australian universities for writing an accurate reference list for assignments.

QC Recognising family names in English

Feedback

2007-04-03T18:31:00.001-07:00

The feedback on your assignments can help you improve your work and gain a greater understanding of your subject area. By actively using the feedback you can improve your academic performance.

QC Making the most of feedback

Full stops

2007-04-03T18:30:00.001-07:00

Full stops or periods are separation marks. They are used to help the reader make sense of a written text by announcing a break in a thought. If you read your work aloud you will be able to hear a pause where you should make a break with a full stop in the writing.

QC Full stops

I - Avoiding 'I'

2007-04-03T18:28:00.000-07:00

When writing academic English you are often asked not to use ‘I’, ‘the author’ or ‘one’ when referring to yourself as the writer, or to use ‘you’ when referring to your reader. This also extends to not using ‘we’ or ‘us’ when referring to yourself and your reader. The reason is that traditionally academic writers try to be as objective as possible when presenting their ideas and information. This includes not making an emotional appeal to their readers and keeping some distance between themselves and their readers. Not using ‘I’, ‘you’, ‘we’ etc helps to achieve this distance.

QC Avoiding 'I'

IELTS Test preparation

2007-04-03T18:27:00.000-07:00

If you are preparing to sit the IELTS or another language test for the purposes of immigration or entry to higher education it is important that you focus your attention on two aspects: improving your general level of English language so that you can function successfully in an English language environment and familiarising yourself with the test.

QC IELTS Test preparation

Introductions and conclusions

2007-04-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

Introductions and conclusions are essential for most of your assignments. You usually use about 10% of the full word allowance for the introduction and the same for the conclusion.

QC Introductions and conclusions

Linking words

2007-04-03T18:24:00.000-07:00

It is important to link words and phrases to integrate them into cohesive writing. The following words and phrases can be used to connect pieces of information in your writing.

QC Linking words

Listening in lectures

2007-04-03T18:23:00.000-07:00

Active listening in lectures enables you to engage with the content and to understand, remember and recall what you have heard. It is easier to listen actively if you are on time for the lecture and if you sit in a place where you can see and hear clearly. Research has shown that there are several factors that affect listening in lectures.

QC Listening in lectures

Paraphrasing

2007-04-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

Paraphrasing, that is, being able to present the ideas and information that you read in your own words, is an important skill in your university studies.

QC Paraphrasing

Paragraph writing

2007-04-03T18:21:00.000-07:00

Each paragraph in an essay should contain one idea or cover one aspect relevant to the main point. Follow these steps to build a paragraph of your own.

QC Paragraph writing

Question marks

2007-04-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

Question marks are separation marks which are used to show when a direct question has been asked.

QC Question marks

Reading critically and analytically

2007-04-03T18:19:00.000-07:00

Critical or analytical reading enables you to engage with the text and create deep meaning through a variety of processes. These processes include an initial appraisal of the text, followed by answering of key questions allowing you to process the reading at several levels of analysis, followed by recording your thoughts and responses.

QC Reading critically and analytically

Reading log

2007-04-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

Use this framework to help you take notes as you read.

QC Reading log

Remembering your work

2007-04-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

Learning is an active process that involves developing a full understanding and meaning of concepts and theories. Often a partial understanding comes from reading the textbook, lecture notes, study guide and practical notes (termed ‘passive’ learning). However, you can create a more effective understanding ...

QC Remembering your work

Reporting the ideas of others

2007-04-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

An obvious feature of academic English is references to other peoples’ ideas. This is an important aspect of academic writing that you will need to develop.

QC Reporting the ideas of others

Speaking politely

2007-04-03T17:54:00.000-07:00

The context of our oral interactions influences our language and behaviour. In an Australian academic context students are expected to express themselves honestly and openly but at the same time, to be reasonably polite in the way this is done. The following tips and language structures may help to minimize the damage to the ‘face’ of others and also to strengthen relationships with others even though you may disagree with their opinions.

QC Speaking politely

Subjective/objective language

2007-04-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

Different types of university writing require different styles. Rarely (except in reflective writing) is the use of ‘I’ used in writing. This, in combination with the use of ‘flowery’ language laden with adjectives is called ‘subjective’ writing. That is, it is not based on research, data or facts but rather, personal opinion. Most university writing requires ‘objectivity’ where the author plays the role of a critical documenter of ideas, facts and arguments. The more technical the writing, the greater the distance the author has from their writing in terms of the tone and formality.

QC Subjective/objective language

Tentative language

2007-04-03T17:52:00.002-07:00

Often the claims that we make in academic writing are not absolutely certain or perhaps doubtful so we indicate that they are not entirely certain by using tentative language.

QC Tentative language

Topic sentences

2007-04-03T17:52:00.001-07:00

A topic sentence is the key sentence in a paragraph. It sums up the main idea that you wish to state in that paragraph. The use of clear topic sentences will help you develop a clear line of argument in any piece of writing.

QC Topic sentences

A longer piece of writing

2007-04-03T17:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the assignments you are asked to do require many more words than you are used to writing. If you have never written long assignments before, confronting the task can seem overwhelming. This resource gives you some tips to help you manage the task of writing longer assignments.

QC A longer piece of writing