Succeeding at University

1. Succeeding at University Nicola Cummins English + Linguistics University of Otago nicola.cummins@otago.ac.nz Philip Maw Academic English Foundation Studies University of Otago philip.maw@otago.ac.nz

2. 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

3. No late penalties Due date/late penalties Reports Results only Free Fees Adolescent Adult Differences between School and University

4. The 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. Key Graduate Attribute

5. 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. Cultural Literacy

6. 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 StudyLinksorted out otherwise communication is impaired as no access to resources including library, campus network, and VLEs. To Succeed, get ready to Read!

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Some Quick Tips for Success

10. the Library and Librarians Not stampers of books, but guides and mentors on the information highway.

11. 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

12. 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. Beware Quick-Es

13. 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. Stay SEXY

14. Academic Essay Writing Frameworks

15. Explanation Essay - Structure Introduction: Opening/general/background statement • topic , time and place Definition of key words from the topic Scope – the three points the essay will focus on - Have the strongest point last

16. Body Paragraphs: Topic sentence Elaborate, explain and expand Example(s) Concluding sentence linking back to the question

17. Conclusion: Summary of the scope but using different words Statement of Relative Importance and a reason why

18. 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.

19. Stages of an Argument Essay Introduction: gives an overall view of the essay. • General statement: to introduce the reader to the subject of the essay. • Definition: to explain any important technical words to the reader. • Position Statement: to give the opinion of the writer. • Scope: to tell the reader what parts of the topic will be included in the essay

20. Stages of an Argument Essay • 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.

21. Stages of an Argument Essay Conclusion: to restate the main arguments and reinforce the position. No new evidence is given in the conclusion. • Summary: to give the reader a brief reminder of the main ideas. • Position Statement: to tell the reader what the writer believes is the best action to take, considering the evidence in the essay.

22. The Discussion Essay Introduction Background Statement • What, Where and When should be covered Definition • From a recognised and respected reference • In-text referenced Statement of Issue • This tells that there are two sides

23. Scope or Thesis Statement • Usually a four point scope • Start with the side you least favour • Then use a contrast connector – On the other hand, In contrast, However or Conversely • State the two points of the side that you support • Use a separate sentence for each scope point

24. Body Paragraphs One and Two • Topic Sentence • Elaborate and explain • At least TWO examples to PROVE the point. • These must be in-text referenced (Maw 2011) • Must be paraphrased • Concluding sentence must refer back to the topic sentence and the overall issue

25. Body Paragraphs Three and Four • Body paragraph three MUST start with a contrasting connector – • However, • On the other hand • Conversely • In contrast

26. Topic sentence • Elaborate and explain • Examples • Concluding sentence

27. The Conclusion • Sum up the two sides keeping the same order as your scope from the introduction • The start of third scope point must have a contrasting connector to show the change of sides • Make a clear judgment • Finish with a recommendation for the future

28. The Reference List • www.bibme.org is a very useful site. • Check to see what citation style is preferred by the department • Be consistent. Stay with one style and version.

29. A final thought • When I think back On all the crap I learned in high school It's a wonder I can think at all And though my lack of education Hasn't hurt me none I can read the writing on the wall • (Paul Simon 1973)