Academic Writing - Staff Resource Page
Websites
Please note that external websites are not the responsibility of
Learnhigher.
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Dartmouth
Writing Program: Comprehensive range of resources, there’s
a particularly useful section for staff teaching academic writing.
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The
OWL at Purdue: The OWL is a series of online writing
guides, it’s very comprehensive, but it’s not for the casual browser as
you jump straight into the subject without much of an introduction.
Excellent source to link to, but please let them know you are linking to
them.
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The WAC
Clearinghouse: This website provides a scholarly support
network for tutors interested in incorporating writing into their
sessions. The website has excellent definitions and examples of ‘Writing
Across the Curriculum’ and ‘Writing in the Disciplines’ methodologies.
The site provides links to academic papers, a teachers’ forum,
activities and resources plus a link to the informative WAC journal.
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Thinking
Writing: Superb set of resources for teaching staff
interested in developing academic writing: contains examples of both
subject-specific and subject neutral resources.
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International
WAC/WID Mapping Project: This site follows a research
project at University of California at Davis mapping the use of WAC and
WID methodologies in the teaching of academic writing. The site provides
a globalised view of the Writing Across the Curriculum approach and
provides a network of contacts for tutors working in this field.
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Writing
Matters: Writing Matters is a report published by the
Royal Literary Fund. It’s beautifully written, although it does fudge
it’s conclusion a little. Everyone involved in teaching academic
writing should read it; the site also has links to other reports and
resources.
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WriteNow:
Tri-institutional CETL focussing on academic writing, still at the
early stages of the project, but already contains useful resources.
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University of
North Carolina: The link takes readers to an online writing
tutor programme (program). It’s interesting to see the pedagogical
basis for the programme and description of process. There’s also an
extensive resource bank of student guides.
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Unilearning: This
website based at the University of Wollongong in Australia is an
excellent student friendly resource covering aspects of reading,
writing, note taking and critical thinking. The site also defines the
different types of academic writing such as introductions, reports,
essays etc. and has a number of activities for students to try.
Books
This book provides a
step by step guide to help tutors develop the use of writing in their
sessions. Using writing not only for assessment but also to help
students develop their learning of the subject.
BEAN, J. (2001) ‘Engaging ideas. The Professors guide to Integrating
writing, Critical thinking and active learning in the classroom.’ San
Francisco. Jossey Bass
This book provides
tutors with excellent advice on all manner of study skills. Sections
cover a wide range of issues from ‘promoting an effective transition
into HE’ through to how to promote effective writing or note making with
your students. Each section has an introduction and a guide to how it
has been done before to give you an idea of the kinds of activities and
practices you could use in your sessions. Sandra Sinfield is also a
partner in the Learnhigher CETL so check out the Reading and Notemaking
pages for more of her work.
BURNS, T & SINFIELD, S. (2004) ‘Teaching, Learning and Study
Skills. A guide for tutors.’ London. SAGE Publications
This book investigates
current theories, practices and models of teaching academic writing in
the UK. The chapters provide a valuable overview of current debates and
looks in more depth at the pedagogy behind the teaching of academic
writing.
GANOBSCIK-WILLIAMS, L. (2006) ‘Teaching Academic Writing in UK Higher
Education.’ Hampshire. Palgrave Macmillan.
Podcasts
Click on the link below to listen to excellent podcasts that offer
useful advice from lecturers about academic writing.
Click here to listen to the 'academic writing for exams'
podcast
Click here to listen the 'revision techniques' podcast
Click here to listen the 'exam techniques' podcast