Academic Language and Learning

Learning Resources

Link to graphic access to online resources

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES

ACADEMIC WRITING

 

GUIDES TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF WRITING

LANGUAGE ISSUES

OTHER RESOURCES

See also the the website of

The Learning Centre at the University of New South Wales

Starting at University

UNSW, Learning Centre: First Steps: A Beginners Guide to University

U of Canberra, Academic Skills Program: Starting at University

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Time Management

UNSW, Learning Centre: Time Management

ANU, ASLC: Managing your time

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Critical Thinking

U of Canberra, Academic Skills Program: Critical Thinking

U of Wollongong, Unilearning: Critical Thinking

Murdoch University, Teaching and Learning Centre: Critical Thinking

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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

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Evaluating Sources

Vanderbilt University, Peabody Library: Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals (YouTube video)

Lesley University Library: Evaluating Websites

Ohio State University Libraries: Evaluating Websites

Johns Hopkins University: Evaluating Information Found on the Internet

New Mexico State University Library: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: or, Why It’s a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources

University of California at Berkeley: Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial

University of California at Berkeley: Google and beyond PDF icon (pdf file)

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Reading and Note-taking

UNSW, Learning Centre: Introduction to Note-taking

UNSW, Learning Centre: Effective Note-making

ANU, ASLC: Reading difficult texts: general principles

U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Taking Notes from Research Reading

U of Toronto, Writing Centre: How to Get the Most out of Reading

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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 PDF file)

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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

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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: How are essays at uni different from those you've written in the past?

ANU, ASLC: What do markers want in an essay?

Monash U, Language & Learning, Arts: What makes a good essay? (PDF file PDF file)

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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: Analysing an essay question

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Thesis statements

U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Using Thesis Statements

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Introductions and conclusions

ANU, ASLC: Writing an introduction

ANU, ASLC: Writing your conclusion

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Paragraphing/topic sentences

ANU, ASLC: Developing an argument through paragraphs

U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Developing Coherent Paragraphs

U of Toronto, Writing Workshop: Using Topic Sentences

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Sentences

U of Victoria, Writer's Guide: Writing Clear Sentences

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Punctuation

U of Hertfordshire, UEfAP.com: Punctuation

Purdue University, Online Writing Lab (OWL): Punctuation

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Editing/revising

UNSW, Learning Centre: Editing Checklist

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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

Purdue University, OWL: English as a Second Language (ESL) Handouts and Exercises

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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

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Citations and Referencing

General

University of Aukland, NZ: Referencite

UNSW@ADFA, Academy Library: Citing and Managing References

U of Melbourne, Library: Acknowledging Sources

U of South Australia, Learning and Teaching Unit: Referencing

ANU, ASLC: Referencing basics

ANU, ASLC: Footnotes, endnotes and Harvard citations

ANU, ASLC: Which referencing style should I use?

USQ: Referencing Guides

In-text citations

UNSW, Learning Centre: In-Text or Harvard System

University of South Australia: Referencing using the Harvard author-date system (PDF file PDF file)

Swinburne U: 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: Referencing - Harvard

ANU, ASLC: Using Harvard: Basic Principles

Footnote/endnote systems
(a) Australian

UNSW@ADFA, HASS: HASS STUDENT REFERENCING GUIDE (PDF file PDF file)

UNSW, Learning Centre: Footnote/Bibliography or 'Oxford' Referencing System

Deakin U: Referencing using the documentary-note (Oxford) system

U of South Australia: Referencing using Footnotes (Documentary Notes System) (PDF file PDF file)

(b) American

U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Traditional Endnotes or Footnotes with Superscript Numbers (Humanities, Law)

Numbering Styles

U of Toronto, Writing Centre: IEEE Style Documentation (Engineering)

U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Numbered Notes (e.g. Vancouver Style) (Sciences, Medicine)

Citing online sources

USQ: Harvard Style - referencing online sources

Harnack & Kleppinger: Online! Citation styles

ANU, ASLC: Internet: citing and evaluating information

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

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Guidance on Different Types of Writing

The critical review

UNSW, Education Development Unit: Writing A Critical Review (PDF file 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 PDF file)

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The literature review

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

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The academic proposal

UNSW, Learning Centre: Thesis Proposal Page One.

UNSW, Learning Centre: Thesis Proposal Page Two.

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The abstract

UNSW, Learning Centre: Abstracts and Other Summaries

U of Toronto, Writing Centre: The Abstract

Purdue University, OWL: The Abstract

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The annotated bibliography

UNSW, Learning Centre: Annotated Bibliography

U of Toronto, Writing Centre: Writing an Annotated Bibliography

U of Canberra, Academic Skills Program: The Annotated Bibliography

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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

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The academic poster

Edinburgh Napier University: Academic Posters

University of Leicester, Student Learning Centre: Designing an academic poster

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The PhD thesis

UNSW, School of Physics: How to Write a PhD Thesis

U of Queensland, Student Support Services: PhD Writing

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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

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Exams

Exam preparation – general

UNSW, Learning Centre: Studying for Exams

UNSW, Learning Centre: Surviving Exams

UNSW, Learning Centre: Open Book & Take Home Exams

ANU, ASLC: 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 PDF file)

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For Postgraduate Research and Coursework Students:

For Postgraduate Coursework Students:

U of Melbourne, Academic Skills Unit: CourseWorks: The online home of PG coursework students

For Postgraduate Research Students:

Hong Kong University, The English Learning Wiki: Postgraduate Research

Monash University, Language and Learning Online: Learning Support for Higher Degree Research Students

ANU, Academic Skills and Learning Centre: Managing your life during the PhD

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Online Resources for Engineering Students

UNSW, Learning Centre: Writing a Case Study Report in Engineering

Virginia Tech: Writing guidelines for Engineering and Science students

U of South Australia, The Learning Connection: Report Writing Style Guide for Engineering Students by Anne Winckel and Bonnie Hart (PDF file PDF file)

Monash University, Language and Learning Online: Grammar for Engineers

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The following website has useful information on many of the above topics:

U of Queensland, Learning Assistance Unit: Uni Study

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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