Learning Resources
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES |
DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES |
|
ACADEMIC WRITING
|
GUIDES TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF WRITING |
LANGUAGE ISSUES |
OTHER RESOURCES |
Starting at University
UNSW, Learning Centre: First Steps: A Beginners Guide to University
U of Canberra, Academic Skills Program: Starting at University
Time Management
UNSW, Learning Centre: Time Management
Charles Darwin University: Time Management
ANU, Academic Skills & Learning Centre (ASLC): Time Management
Critical Thinking
U of Canberra, Academic Skills Program: Critical Thinking
U of Wollongong, Unilearning: Critical Thinking
Murdoch University, Teaching and Learning Centre: Critical Thinking
Critical Reading
UNSW, Learning Centre: Effective Reading
U of Melbourne, Online Library: Critical Reading
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Critical Reading towards Critical Writing
York University, Counselling & Development Centre: Reading Skills for University
Reading and Note-taking
UNSW, Learning Centre: Introduction to Note-taking
UNSW, Learning Centre: Effective Note-making
ANU, ASLC: Reading and Note-taking (
PDF file)
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Taking Notes from Research Reading
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: How to Get the Most out of Reading
Studying Mathematics
The Open University (UK): Mathematical Study Skills
Ohio State U: How to Study Mathematics
Saint Louis U: Success in Mathematics
U of Plymouth, School of Mathematics & Statistics: Mathematics Support Materials
RMIT U: Maths Essentials - Handouts
Victoria U: Communication Skills in Mathematics
David Rowland: Studying Maths - Exam techniques (
PDF file)
Academic Writing
General
Monash U, Language and Learning Online: Writing
U of Hertfordshire, UEfAP.com: Academic Writing
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Advice on Academic Writing
U of Wollongong, Unilearning: Academic Writing
Essay writing - general
UNSW, Learning Centre: Essay Writing: the Basics
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: General Advice on Academic Essay Writing
U of Toronto, Writing Workshop: Organizing an Essay
ANU, ASLC: Essay Writing
Monash U, Language & Learning, Arts: What makes a good essay? (
PDF file)
Essay topics/questions
UNSW, Learning Centre: Answering Assignment Questions
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Understanding Essay Topics
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Making Sense of Essay Topics
ANU, ASLC: Essay Questions
Thesis statements
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Using Thesis Statements
Introductions and conclusions
ANU, ASLC: Essay Introductions
ANU, ASLC: Essay Conclusions
U of Melbourne, LLSU: Paragraphs with special requirements
Paragraphing/topic sentences
ANU, ASLC: Online Materials, Paragraphing
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Developing Coherent Paragraphs
U of Toronto, Writing Workshop: Using Topic Sentences
Sentences
U of Victoria, Writer's Guide: Writing Clear Sentences
Punctuation
U of Hertfordshire, UEfAP.com: Punctuation
Purdue University, Online Writing Lab (OWL): Punctuation
Editing/revising
UNSW, Learning Centre: Editing Checklist
Grammar
Reference
University College, London: The Internet Grammar of English
Ottowa University Writing Centre: HyperGrammar
Exercises and Handouts
Monash University: LLOnline - Grammar
University College, London: The Internet Grammar of English - List of Exercises
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Centre for Independent Language Learning: Grammar
Purdue University, OWL: Grammar
Avoiding Plagiarism
UNSW, Learning Centre: Introduction to Plagiarism
UNSW, Learning Centre: Avoiding Plagiarism
U of Hong Kong, English Centre: Plagiarism and How to Avoid It
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Plagiarism
Citations and Referencing
General
UNSW@ADFA, Academy Library: Citing and Managing References
U of Melbourne, Library: Acknowledging Sources
U of South Australia, Learning Connection: Referencing
ANU, ASLC: Referencing
USQ: Referencing Guides
In-text citations
Swinburne U: Harvard System (also downloadable in
PDF format)
UNSW, Learning Centre: In-Text or Harvard System
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: MLA System: Parenthetical Author-Page References (Humanities)
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: APA System: Parenthetical Author-Date References (Social Sciences)
ANU, ASLC: Using Harvard: Basic Principles (
PDF file)
Footnote/endnote systems
(a) Australian
Deakin U: Referencing using the documentary-note (Oxford) system
U of South Australia: Referencing using Footnotes (Documentary Notes System) (
PDF file)
UNSW, Learning Centre: Footnote/Bibliography or 'Oxford' Referencing System
(b) American
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Traditional Endnotes or Footnotes with Superscript Numbers (Humanities)
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Numbered Notes (e.g. Vancouver Style) (Sciences)
Citing online sources
USQ: Harvard Style - referencing online sources
Harnack & Kleppinger: Online! Citation styles
Reference list/bibliography
UNSW, Learning Centre: The Footnote/ Bibliography or 'Oxford' Referencing System
UNSW, Learning Centre: The APA (American Psychological Association) Referencing System
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Electronic Sources
Using quotations
UNSW, Learning Centre: Introducing Quotations & Paraphrases
U of Toronto, Writing Workshop: Using Quotations
Guidance on Different Types of Writing
The critical review
UNSW, Education Development Unit: Writing A Critical Review (
PDF file)
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: The Book Review or Article Critique: General Guidelines
U of London, Institute of Education, CAPLITS: The Critical Review
Monash U, Language & Learning, Arts: What makes a good critical review? (
PDF file)
The literature review
U of Melbourne, LLSU: Reviewing the Literature
U of Melbourne, Online Library: Conducting a Literature Review: Getting Started
U of Melbourne, Online Library: Conducting a Literature Review: Reading Materials
U of Melbourne, Online Library: Conducting a Literature Review: Structure
U of Melbourne, Online Library: Conducting a Literature Review: Starting
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: The Literature Review: A Few Tips On Conducting It
The academic proposal
UNSW, Learning Centre: Thesis Proposal Page One.
UNSW, Learning Centre: Thesis Proposal Page Two.
The abstract
ANU, ASLC: Abstracts and Other Summaries
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: The Abstract
Purdue University, OWL: The Abstract
The annotated bibliography
U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Writing an Annotated Bibliography
U of Canberra, Academic Skills Program: The Annotated Bibliography
UNSW, Learning Centre: Annotated Bibliography
The report
U of Toronto, Engineering Communication Centre, Online Handbook: Short Report
U of Canberra, Academic Skills Unit: Writing Reports
RMIT University, Study and Learning Centre: Reports
The academic poster
U of Melbourne, LLSU: The Poster
The PhD thesis
UNSW, School of Physics: How to Write a PhD Thesis
U of Queensland, Student Support Services: PhD Writing
Presentation Skills
UNSW, Learning Centre: Seminar Presentations
UNSW, Learning Centre: Speaking to an Audience
ANU, ASLC: Oral Presentations
U of Toronto, the Counseling and Learning Skills Service: Oral Presentations
Exams
Exam preparation – general
UNSW, Learning Centre: Studying for Exams
UNSW, Learning Centre: Surviving Exams
ANU, ASLC: Exams
UNSW, Learning Centre: Open Book & Take Home Exams
Essay exams
UNSW, Learning Centre: Essay Exams
UNSW, Learning Centre: Exam Skills: Clue Words
U of Victoria, The UVic Writer’s Guide: Exam Essays
Maths exams
David Rowland: Studying Maths - Exam techniques (
PDF file)
Sites of Special Interest to Postgraduate Research and Coursework Students:
U of Melbourne, LLSU: CourseWorks: The online home of PG coursework students
Monash University, Language and Learning Online: Learning Support for Higher Degree Research Students
U of Queensland, Teaching and Educational Development Unit: PhD: First thoughts to Finished Writing
U of Melbourne, LLSU: Postgraduate Materials and Links
Online Resources for Engineering Students
Virginia Tech: Writing guidelines for Engineering and Science students
U of South Australia, The Learning Connection: A Detailed and Comprehensive Guide on Report Writing for Engineers by Anne Winckel and Bonnie Hart (
PDF file)
Monash University, Language and Learning Online: Grammar for Engineers
UNSW, Learning Centre: Writing a Case Study Report in Engineering
The following website has useful information on many of the above topics:
U of Queensland, Learning Assistance Unit: Uni Study
Other Learning Resources
For Newcomers to Australian English
National Museum of Australia: Aussie English for the Beginner
(Note: You don't have to be a kid - or even new to Australia - to learn from this site!)
Reference books on research/thesis writing
Bell, J., 1999, Doing your Research Project: a Guide for First Time Researchers in the Social Sciences, Open University Press:UK.
Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. & Tight, M., 2001, How to Research, 2nd Edition, Open University Press:Buckingham.
Bouma, G., 2000, The Research Process, 4th Edition, Oxford University Press: Oxford.
Craswell, G., 2004, Writing for Academic Success: A Postgraduate Guide, Sage Publications:London.
Cryer, P., 1997, The Research Student’s Guide to Success, Open University Press: UK.
Descombe, M., 2003, The Good Research Guide for Small-Scale Social Research Projects, 2nd Edition, Open University Press: Maidenhead.
Evans, D., 1995, How to Write a Better Thesis or Report, Melbourne University Press:Melbourne.
Glatthorn, A., 1998, Writing the Winning Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide, Corwin Press, Inc.: California.
Phillips, E. & Pugh, D., 2000, How to Get a PhD, 3rd Edition, Open University Press: Buckingham.
Swales, J.M. and Feak, C.B. 2000, English in Today’s Research World, U of Michigan Press: USA.
General reference books on academic writing
The recommended texts are principally designed for undergraduate students but may also be useful for revision purposes at the postgraduate level:
Ballard, B., & Clanchy, J.,1997, Essay Writing for Students, Addison Wesley Longman: Australia.
Bate, B. and Sharpe, P., 1996, Writer’s Handbook for University Students, 2nd Edition, Harcourt Brace: Sydney.
Crème, P., & Lea, M., 1997, Writing at University: A Guide for Students, Open University Press: Buckingham.
Lovell, D., 2001, Macquarie Student Writer’s Friend: A Guide to Essay Writing,Macquarie University:NSW.
Wilson, K., Shrensky, R., Collins, G. & Vandermensbrugghe J., 2002, Write On! Getting Started with Academic Writing, ASP, U of Canberra: Canberra (book and video).
Study skills guides
Cottrell, S., 2003, The Study Skills Handbook, 2nd Edition, Palgrave Macmillan: UK.
Northedge, A., 1990, The Good Study Guide, Open University Press: UK.
Turner, J., 2002, How to Study: A Short Introduction, Sage Publications: London.
Wallace, M., 1980, Study Skills in English, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.
Style guides
Ritter, R., (ed), 2003, The Oxford Style Manual, Oxford University Press: Oxford.
Commonwealth of Australia, 2002, Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers, 6th Edition, John Wiley and Sons: Australia.
