COR160

This page: http://bit.ly/gscor160

COR160 learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to

• • Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts and principles underlying academic writing skills.

  • Write for an audience by understanding their attributes, needs and expectations.

  • Use process writing to develop a rhetorical structure of an essay.

  • Evaluate information critically from various sources to respond to a task.  

  • Write summaries, paraphrases and quotes of texts in response to a given task.

  • Synthesise information from various sources in their writing in response to a given task.

  • Cite sources in their writing using the proper citation and referencing style.

  • Apply persuasive argumentative writing strategies in response to a given task. 

COR160 resources

• Canvas resources (note that TMAs should be submitted to your T-group site, not L01; marked TMAs can be downloaded from the SUSS Gradebook on your T-group site)

• Textbook

• Telegram group chat (ask questions/make comments during and after class)

• Handouts/worksheets bit.ly/cor160s1

• This site (please bookmark it for this course and future reference)

• Your classmates! Did you know that research has shown we learn better when we teach others? So you help yourself when you help others by giving them feedback and advice.

COR160 seminars

As we cannot discuss the current TMA questions, we will instead work on past questions in class. We will also look at some samples of work by previous students. I have prepared a generic academic essay template to help you get started, and we will be using this in class.

Assignment submissions (plagiarism check)

TurnItIn allows you to see how 'original' your essay is by comparing it to others in its database. There is no magic maximum percentage that makes it 'okay' -- both you and your marker have to see what exactly is matching. 'Matching' references, for instance, don't count. You can resubmit before the deadline if you want to reduce the percentage, but note that you may have to wait up to 24h to see an originality report for your resubmission. I'd advise you to make your first submission a couple of days before the deadline to allow for this.

It's critical that you save your marked TMAs so that you can analyse the feedback and use them to improve future work. To download your marked TMA, log into Canvas and navigate to your T-group (not L01). Click on SUSS Gradebook on the menu on the left. Scroll to the right and click on this icon 

. Your file will download.

Seminar task

Questions? Comments? Answers to the questions below? Share them on our Telegram group chat. Don't forget to check our FAQ. 

In your group

1. Look at the past TMA question (linked below) and discuss how you would tackle it. 

2. What would your outline for this TMA look like? Use the outline template. What would your thesis statement be? Share it with us.

3. Look at the sample answer assigned to you. Identify the thesis statement and topic sentences if you find them, using the ‘comment’ function. At the end of the document there is a marking form; comment to indicate which statement/grade applies to this TMA for each category. You can reply to other comments if you disagree (or agree!)

4. Now look at the marked sample answer (it will be given to you in class). Compare your grading with the marker’s. Did you spot the same strengths and weaknesses as the marker? What did you miss? Please share with the class.

5. Take a look at the other marked samples, and compare it to the one you read.

Individually

1. What weaknesses do you think you will have to overcome to do well in this TMA? Where can you get help? (Where in your textbook? On this site?) 

2. Now look at the TMA you have to do and write an outline. I can't give you feedback but please share it with your group for feedback.

Attached TMAs are for practice only.