Academic Skills: Writing, Research, and Presentations

Avoiding Plagiarism

• To avoid plagiarism, students must:

1. Summarize and paraphrase sources: Students should rephrase information from sources in their own words, maintaining the original meaning.
2. Reference sources correctly in text: Any information that is not common knowledge must be attributed to its source.
3. Use direct quotes appropriately.
4. Produce a reference list: Create a list of all sources cited in your essay, following the Harvard referencing system.

Researching for Essays

• When researching for an essay, what do students need to take into account when selecting their sources?
• Sources must be reliable.
• Take information from official websites.
• Use a variety of research sources, both printed and electronic (e-sources).

Reading Techniques

• Three different reading techniques include:

1. Skimming (quick, general overview)
2. Scanning (quick search for specific words or keywords)
3. Intensive Reading (longer, careful reading for details)

Language in Academic Writing

• Language in academic writing must be appropriate and formal.
• Avoid slang and text language.
• Use specific words and a rich vocabulary.
• Use linking words to connect ideas.
• Write in the third person.

Communication Apprehension

• Communication apprehension and its symptoms include fear of public speaking, anxiety, and mind going blank.
• To manage symptoms, students should prepare, practice, and use relaxation techniques.

Preparing Presentations

• When preparing a presentation, students should consider:

1. Visuals: Use images, videos, etc.
2. Structure: The presentation should follow a logical order: introduction, main body, and conclusion.
3. Audience: Speak clearly so everyone can hear and understand.
4. Purpose: Capture the audience's attention. Keep it simple, brief, and clear.
5. Location: Consider the classroom environment.

Delivering Presentations

• When delivering a presentation, students need to consider:

1. Body language
2. Voice projection and clarity

Signs of a Bad Presentation

• Not looking at the audience.
• Lack of body language.
• Speaking too softly or unclearly.
• Poor pronunciation.

Importance of Listening

• Listening is practiced constantly and is crucial for understanding.

Tips for Effective Listening

• Read before the lecture.
• Listen for repeated or emphasized words.
• Stay alert and concentrate.
• Ask questions when you feel most comfortable.

Note-Taking in Lectures

• Notes should capture main ideas and keywords.

Benefits of Group Work

• Group work is important because it allows for sharing ideas, learning to listen to others, finding common ground, and seeing different perspectives.