Succeeding at UniversityNicola CumminsEnglish + LinguisticsUniversity of Otagonicola.cummins@otago.ac.nz

Philip MawAcademic English

Foundation StudiesUniversity of Otago

philip.maw@otago.ac.nz

Differences between School and University

• 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

• No late penalties• Due date/late penalties

• Reports• Results only

• Free• Fees

• Adolescent• Adult

Key Graduate AttributeThe 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.

Cultural Literacy

• 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.

To Succeed, get ready to Read!• 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 StudyLink sorted out otherwise communication is

impaired as no access to resources including library, campus network, and VLEs.

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.

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.

Some Quick Tips for Success

the Library and LibrariansNot stampers of books, but guides and mentors on the information highway.

Beware Quick-Es

• 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• 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.

Stay SEXY

• 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.

Academic Essay Writing Frameworks

Explanation Essay - StructureIntroduction:Opening/general/background statement- topic , time and place

Definition of key words from the topicScope – the three points the essay will focus on - Have the strongest point last

Body Paragraphs:Topic sentenceElaborate, explain and expandExample(s)Concluding sentence linking back to the question

Conclusion:Summary of the scope but using different wordsStatement of Relative Importance and a reason why

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.

Stages of an Argument EssayIntroduction: gives an overall view of the essay.1. General statement: to introduce the reader to

the subject of the essay.2. Definition: to explain any important technical

words to the reader.3. Position Statement: to give the opinion of the

writer.4. Scope: to tell the reader what parts of the topic

will be included in the essay

Stages of an Argument Essay1. 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.

Stages of an Argument EssayConclusion: to restate the main arguments and

reinforce the position. No new evidence is given in the conclusion.

1. Summary: to give the reader a brief reminder of the main ideas.

2. Position Statement: to tell the reader what the writer believes is the best action to take, considering the evidence in the essay.

The Discussion EssayIntroduction

Background StatementWhat, Where and When should be covered

Definition From a recognised and respected referenceIn-text referenced

Statement of IssueThis tells that there are two sides

Scope or Thesis Statement

Usually a four point scopeStart with the side you least favourThen use a contrast connector – On the other hand,

In contrast, However or ConverselyState the two points of the side that you supportUse a separate sentence for each scope point

Body Paragraphs One and TwoTopic SentenceElaborate and explainAt least TWO examples to PROVE the point.These must be in-text referenced (Maw 2011)Must be paraphrasedConcluding sentence must refer back to the topic

sentence and the overall issue

Body Paragraphs Three and FourBody paragraph three MUST start with a contrasting

connector –However, On the other hand Conversely In contrast

Topic sentenceElaborate and explainExamplesConcluding sentence

The ConclusionSum up the two sides keeping the same order as

your scope from the introductionThe start of third scope point must have a

contrasting connector to show the change of sidesMake a clear judgmentFinish with a recommendation for the future

The Reference Listwww.bibme.org is a very useful site.Check to see what citation style is preferred by the

departmentBe consistent. Stay with one style and version.

A final thoughtWhen 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)