Module QXS-4002:
Academic Literacy
Postgraduate Academic Writing and Grammar 2026-27
QXS-4002
2026-27
School of Arts and Humanities
10 credits
Module Organiser:
Simon Robertson
Overview
This module provides instruction and practice of academic literacy skills within a research context. Students will practise planning extended pieces of writing on currently relevant topics, using academic publications and other credible sources as support for their ideas. Awareness of academic conventions such as citation format will be raised and practised. Current issues relating to writing will be discussed such as intellectual property, plagiarism and the use of artificial intelligence for writing. Tools for developing accuracy of grammar and lexis will be practised.
��㎜lanning and development of extended pieces of writing ��㏄riting for purpose ��㎎sing sources, including citation, referencing, paraphrasing and synthesis ��/cademic conventions including citation, referencing and presentation ��/voiding plagiarism ��㏎tructuring extended writing including theme development, topic paragraphing, cohesion and coherence ��/ppropriacy of style and register in different academic text types ��/ccuracy of English language systems including grammar and vocabulary
Assessment Strategy
To achieve a mark of over 60% (merit) the candidate must produce extended written work which displays most of the following:
��㎡he research question is addressed comprehensively ��$ontent is appropriate and insightful ��㎡he purpose of the text is clear and focused. ��㏎ources pinpoint relevant background information and robustly support the writer���s claims ��$itations and reference lists accurately conform to a convention ��㎡he text is skilfully organised, making reading fast and easy for the reader. ��㎡opics are dealt with individually and can be accessed independently where appropriate ��㏎entences are varied in complexity, providing flow. ��﹩inking devices are expertly used to provide flow. ��〒xpert use of grammar and vocabulary allows complex ideas to be expressed concisely ��㏎tyle is appropriate and may add authority to the text
Consistent, strong evidence of the above criteria can justify a mark over 70% (distinction)
To achieve a mark of over 50% (pass) the candidate must produce extended written work which displays most of the following:
��﹪ost of the text addresses the research question ��$ontent is relevant to audience ��㎜urpose of the assignment is appropriate and clear ��㏎ources are used to inform and support ��$itations and reference lists make clear to the reader where information comes from ��㎡he text is logically structured and accessible to the reader ��㎡opics are clearly delineated (perhaps using paragraphs) ��㏎entences are appropriate in length and complexity ��@deas are cohesively ��£rammar and vocabulary are mostly accurate. There may be some errors, but meaning is clear throughout. ��㎡he style of language used is mostly appropriate to the text type
Learning Outcomes
- Accurately used English grammar and vocabulary within a given academic field.
- Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate academic discourses through citations and referencing consistent with 58勛圖 conventions.
- Produced extended pieces of writing which are purposeful and appropriate to an academic audience.
- Produced longer texts which are cohesive and coherent.
Assessment method
Essay
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Essay
Weighting
50%
Due date
08-12-2023
Assessment method
Essay
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Essay
Weighting
50%
Due date
08-12-2023