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Essay Guidelines: University-Level Writing Basics

Learn how to write a university-level essay, with a focus on structure, research, referencing, and engaging with scholarly sources. Includes guidelines, tips, and marking rubric for a 1000-word essay.

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Essay Guidelines: University-Level Writing Basics

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  1. Introduction to Human Behaviour900082/700220Essay GuidelinesAssessment task 31000 word Essay Due in Week 8

  2. REPEATING STUDENTS If you’ve submitted an essay for this unit in a previous term and your essay topic is still on the list of essay topics this term, your teacher can help you access the previously graded essay with comments for improvement so you’ll know exactly what to change to avoid academic misconduct. Resubmitting a previously graded essay without addressing the required improvements will result in an academic misconduct case related to self-plagiarism.

  3. Feedforward exercise • This activity is a compulsory part of our essay preparation. • We will spend time in class to devise an action plan to incorporate the feedback received for our critical thinking exercise assignment into our essays. • How to access the feedback: • Go to assessments – critical thinking task – click on the Turnitin view/submit button. A copy of the assignment will open. • Read the feedback letter provided by your teacher – write down the 2 main issues you must improve on for the essay, discuss any questions with the teacher regarding how/where to find resources to make the recommended improvements. Your tutor will use the image provided here to guide you so you can find your feedback for your first task. You will also be shown how to read the in-text comments and access the individual marks assigned for each of the marking rubric criteria.

  4. Use the following slides as a checklist before submission: Introduction: slide 15 Body paragraphs: slide 16 Conclusion: slide 21 Referencing: slide 22 Presentation style: slide 26 WesternSydU Harvard Formatting Guide: slide 37

  5. General DUE on Sunday of week 7 at 11.30 pm. Assessment task 3: 30% of final grade, Compulsory task • 1000 words - 10% convention (900-1100), penalty if over the word limit. • Double spacing, 12 pt. Times New Roman or Palatino • HARVARD WSU referencing style • Submit via Turnitin • To demonstrate university level essay writing and research • to develop an argument in written form • and to apply referencing conventions

  6. General cont. (LG p. 14) Use at least four to six scholarly sources in order to adequately discuss your chosen topic. Also expected that you engage with some relevant psychological theory within the essay. How? HINT: You may designate 1 body paragraph to explain your topic in the context of one the theories (weeks 5-11) or the BPS model.

  7. Select ONE topic (p. 14 LG) Choose one of the following questions to answer in essay format: • What are the psychological effects of altruism? • What makes some people more attractive than others and why? • Which evidence-based treatment approaches can be used to effectively manage stress? • What are the psychological effects of prolonged detention of refugees to Australia, and why do these effects occur? • What is the correlation between emotional intelligence and career success?

  8. Mark a sample essay with the marking rubric The essay preparation worksheets contain a sample essay on a unrelated essay topic with references at the back. Use a copy of the marking rubric to mark each of the criteria as addressed by the sample essay – the essay has room for improvement, completing this activity will highlight the task requirements for you.

  9. What is meant by “University level” essay? Your premises/claims/arguments must be backed up by citations from an scholarly source (see next slide). Example of acceptable statement showing conclusion based on expert opinion/reliable source, in-text citation provided. Unemployment is a growing problem for Australia (Smit 2015). √ Example of unacceptable statement indicating opinion in the absence of the in-text citation. Unemployment is a growing problem in Australia. X

  10. What is meant by “University level” essay?

  11. “University level” essay cont.: SOURCES Where do you find peer reviewed, scientific research based sources for your essay ? vUWS – Library – Guides – Subject Guides – Psychology

  12. University level essay cont.: Click on a relevant topic:

  13. Select to search scholarly journals, encyclopedias, books etc.

  14. Academic Essay Structure Introduction (about 10% of essay) Body (about 80%) Conclusion (about 10%)

  15. Introduction checklist • Attention grabbing statement to introduce topic? • Interesting information to provide a context for the topic (definition, relevance, history, meaning)? • Clear thesis statement (E.g.. This essay will discuss/evaluate/argue ..……)? • Clear point by point outline of what will be addressed in each body paragraph provided?

  16. Body paragraphs checklist • Topic sentence explaining what you are writing about in the paragraph - starting with a connector (E.g. Firstly, Finally …….) ? • Explanation of meaning of topic sentence WITH citation of sources for explanation? • Evidence/Examples from experts/scholarly sources provided with in-text citations? • Linked back to your main topic (mentioned relevance to main topic again to summarise)? • Additional paragraph included to also discuss topic in relation to one of the theories (wk. 5-11) or BPS from Textbook?

  17. Body paragraphs cont. The standard is at least 3 body paragraphs, may have more Body paragraphs must follow TEEL structure One IDEA/FOCUS per PARAGRAPH Remember you need to add an additional paragraph “engage with some relevant psychological theory within the essay”

  18. Example words for citing your sources Morrison, Elliot and Smith (2009) emphasised …… Wills (2011) confirmed that …… As stated by Schuttleworth (2015)…………….. Nelson (2011) agreed that ………… It is suggested that ………………… (O’Neal 2007) says claims believes states declares supports consider notes observes emphasise asserts thinks writes reflects sees indicates demands insists demonstrates cites infers refer to confirms agrees suggests showed

  19. Useful words showing transition in argument in like manner here again in the same day in a similar manner so too also as well supporting this further by comparison further more in addition moreover indeed in fact equally in agreement

  20. Conclusion checklist • Announced that it is the conclusion paragraph (E.g.. In conclusion…..)? • Main points focused on outlined again as in introduction but ADDED the main findings for every point discussed? • No new ideas or information introduced? • Suggestions for future research added?

  21. Referencing checklist • A separate reference list at the end provided? • At least 4-6 Scholarly/Academic sources provided? • Harvard WSU referencing standard used? • Exact match between in-text citation and reference list? • References alphabetically listed according to last name, single spaced with double spacing between references, no indentation, no bullets, no numbers? • Textbook cited correctly? • Secondary sources correctly referenced?

  22. Learning Centre Timetable – Academic Literacy Term 3.2017 Where can you find help?Jot down the details for your study lounge – no appointment needed. https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/thecollegestudents/westerncentral/learning_support/learning_centres

  23. Where can you find more help? Your tutor will show you where to find the Visit the Study Smart webpage on the Library webpage. Click on “Services” (between “Resources” and “Guides”) for a drop down box and find Study Smart – Assignment help. Your tutor will show you where to find the online services marked as “Studiosity” on vUWS – you can submit a draft for feedback or have a live chat after 3 pm daily. Link available on our vUWS page, below Student Support tab.

  24. How to correctly reference the Textbook The correct way to reference the Textbook is as follows:  In text: • According to Western Sydney University The College (2017), psychology is a scientific ......... In your reference list:  • Western Sydney University The College 2017, Introduction to Human Behaviour Textbook, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia. 

  25. Final checklist • 1000 words or 10% deviation (900-1100 words)? • 1.5 or Double spacing? • 12 pt. Times New Roman or Arial font? • Submitted via Turnitin?

  26. Need more help? The following slides provide various forms of additional help for various aspects of essay writing.

  27. How to write a simple argument essay Follow the link below to watch this step by step UWSC vodcast explaining step by step how to write a simple argument essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmJXdjYX4dA&feature=youtu.be

  28. How to reference a secondary source Sometimes you may want to quote or paraphrase a source (A) that is referred to within another source (B). If you read about A in B, the primary source (original source) would be A (“said it first”). Any text that interprets A or comments on A is known as the secondary source so B (the one you actually looked at and in which you read the comments about A), would be the secondary source. You should not cite source A as though you read it from the original work. Since you only learned about source A through B, only B (the secondary source which you actually read) , should be in your reference list. For example, the book you are using is written by Smith but he quotes another author called Jones. If you wish to use Jones’ idea in your essay, you should tell the reader that you read about Jones in a secondary source (Smith) by using the phrase “cited in Smith”. Continued next slide….

  29. How to reference a secondary source cont. In-text you should acknowledge both the primary source (Jones) and secondary source (Smith) as follows: Jones (cited in Smith 2009) agreed that the experiment failed to confirm this hypothesis . OR The experiment failed to confirm this hypothesis (Jones, cited in Smith 2009). In the reference list, you should ONLY provide the details of the source you actually read, in this case Smith. Smith, J 2009, Hypotheses, University of Western Sydney, Penrith.

  30. Referencing activity • The following slides will be looking at various aspects of referencing. • In you essay you will need to reference your work. • Use this time to test how well you know Harvard Referencing system

  31. Referencing Activity This activity is looking at – ‘what is plagiarism and what isn't’. • https://ilrb.cf.ac.uk/plagiarism/quiz/index.html

  32. Referencing activities The following activity is looking at in text referencing. • https://ilrb.cf.ac.uk/citingreferences/citingintext/index.html

  33. Referencing Activity The following activity looks at how to make a reference list. https://ilrb.cf.ac.uk/citingreferences/correctorder/index.html

  34. Reference Activity This activity will get you to look at examples of referencing - You need to decide if it is appropriate or not. • https://ilrb.cf.ac.uk/plagiarism/exercise/index.html

  35. Use the following WesternSydU Harvard Formatting Guide to help you format your essay.

  36. A Student’s Guide to WesternSydU Harvard Formatting

  37. Title page: WesternSydU Harvard 1 Page no. Title • Leave 5 spaces between the Header and page number • All letters capitalized • Formatted half way down the page A STUDENT’S GUIDE TO WESTERNSYDU HARVARD FORMATTING By John Smith Introduction to Human Behaviour Dr. Jane Smith Western Sydney University, The College Milperra NSW 27 March 2018 Text Header [Student Name] • Times New Roman or Arial font • 12 point font size • NO bold, NO underline, NO italics • A short description of your title • Flushed right [Unit Name] [Teacher Name] [Institution] [City State of Institution] [Date] 4 Lines 3 Lines

  38. Introduction & Body: WesternSydU Harvard 2 Repeat title Page no. A Student’s Guide to WesternSydU Harvard Formatting Start your introductory paragraph from here. The introductory paragraph is where you will introduce your chosen topic and outline your argument. Your aim in the introduction should be to orient your reader to the topic you are writing about, define the key terms, state the position of your thesis statement, and set limits of the essay by outlining the stages of the essay in the order that you will write them. The introductory paragraph should be approximately 10% of the set word limit of your assessment. After the introductory paragraph start the body section of your essay from here. In the body, each point of your overall argument is in its own paragraph. These are known as sub-topics that make up your overall argument. Each paragraph should then include a ‘topic sentence’ that introduces the main point of the paragraph, an ‘explanation’ with ‘examples’ that support the point you want to convince the reader of, ‘evidence’ with references that supports the main point of the paragraph, and finally a concluding sent • Leave 5 spaces between the Header and page number Text Header • Times New Roman or Arial font • 1.5 or Double Line spacing • 12 point font size • A short description of your title • Flushed right 1 Inch margins Hanging indent 1Inch 1 Inch

  39. Body cont.: WesternSydU Harvard 3 1 Inch margins 1 Inch Page no. 1 Inch that summarises the point of the paragraph. We can think of parts of each paragraph like parts of a classic burger. Just like a classic burger needs a top bun, a paragraph needs a topic sentence. The meat patty in the burger is our main point and/or argument of our paragraph. If we have a burger without the meat patty, then it is not considered a classic burger. Likewise, a paragraph without a main point is not a convincing paragraph. A burger also has added ingredients to make it tastier; these can be cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and condiments. To make our paragraph convincing we also need to include the necessary ingredients; these are evidence with references, explanations, examples, and any terms we need to define. Lastly, we cannot complete our classic burger without a bottom bun, similarly a concluding sentence of a paragraph helps summarise and complete our paragraph. So remember, just like a juicy burger, a good paragraph needs important items to hold it together; a topic sentence (i.e. top bun), a main point (i.e. meat patty), evidence, examples and explanations to support the main • Leave 5 spaces between the Header and page number Text Header • Times New Roman or Arial font • 1.5 or Double Line spacing • 12 point font size • A short description of your title • Flushed right Hanging indent

  40. Conclusion: WesternSydU Harvard 4 1 Inch margins 1 Inch Page no. 1 Inch point (i.e. lettuce, cheese, etc), and a concluding sentence (i.e. bottom bun). Another tip for the body section and to help you build a strong paragraph is try to avoid one sentence paragraphs. In academic writing a paragraph consists of approximately six sentences. Further, the body section is approximately 80% of the set word limit of your assessment. You can also use the Study Smart Zone to help you write a great essay. In conclusion, when you are ready to conclude your essay, start the concluding paragraph with terms such as ‘in conclusion’ or ‘in summary’. This helps inform the reader that you as the writer are now concluding your essay. The conclusion should include a summary of all the main points you made in the body section of your essay. You do not need to include any new ideas or references in the conclusion. All ideas should be mentioned in the body section, and the conclusion is only to summarise the content of your essay. The content in the conclusion is similar to the introduction but with a different purpose. In the conclusion you are making • Leave 5 spaces between the Header and page number Header Text • Times New Roman or Arial font • 1.5 or Double Line spacing • 12 point font size • A short description of your title • Flushed right Hanging indent

  41. Conclusion cont.: WesternSydU Harvard 5 Repeat Title 1 Inch margins 1Inch 1Inch Page no. 1 Inch 1 Inch a final summary to convince the reader of why the content of your essay is valid. Toward the end of the conclusion use words that help signal the closure of your essay. As a general rule, the conclusion is approximately 10% of the set word limit of your assessment. • Leave 5 spaces between the Header and page number Text Header • Times New Roman or Arial font • 1.5 or Double Line spacing. • 12 point font size • A short description of your title • Flushed right 1 Inch Margins

  42. Reference list: WesternSydU Harvard 6 1 Inch Page no. New page References Andreasen, NC 2001, Brave new brain: conquering mental illness in the era of the genome, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Copstead, L & Banasik, J 2005, Pathophysiology, 3rdedn, Saunders, Philadelphia. David, M, Charles, L, Curry, MJ, Shanti, P, Prasad, S, Hewings, A et al. 2003, Challenging spatial norms, Routledge, London. Storey, KB 2004, Functional metabolism regulation and adaptation, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken NJ, viewed 4 April 2009, NetLibrary database. Wentworth, WC 1984, ‘Why we need a permanent base on the moon’, The Sydney Morning Herald 24 January, p.11, viewed 3 April 2009, Sydney Morning Herald Archives database. [Note: the reference list is arranged alphabetically by the author’s surname. A reference list should include the details of all the references cited in your work. Each reference used should be cited at least twice, once in-text and once in the reference list. See the WesternSydU Harvard Referencing guide for how each source should be formatted in a reference list, according to the type of source used (i.e. journal article, book, electronic sources, etc] 1 Inch • Leave 5 spaces between the Header and page number • Start the Reference list on a new page • Sub-heading in bold and centered. NOunderline Text Header • Times New Roman or Arial font • 12 point font size • A short description of your title • Flushed right Single line space 1 Line • 1 line space between each reference • Single line space for each reference

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