Student Skills B

FPSSB0-11

Week 3:
Information Literacy
 Disclaimer

Please note that the content made available on myLMS may deviate
slightly from what is covered in lecturer-led sessions. However, the
material on myLMS, along with prescribed textbooks and any other
designated learning resources, constitutes the compulsory content
students are expected to consult and prepare for assessments.
 Eduvos and the Flipped Classroom

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Before this lecturer-led session During this lecturer-led session After this lecturer-led session

At home, in your self-study time, you During your lecturer-led session(s), you will Depending on how difficult this lecturer-led
worked through myLMS content to prepare engage with your peers and lecturer in session is, your lecturer may recommend
you for this lecturer-led session. You have active learning. I.e. you will have an some concepts to revise for this week's
completed any practice activities and opportunity to ask your questions, to learning opportunities. Then you will focus
prepared any questions you may still have debate topics, and to practice working on the following learning opportunities on
on the content. The lecturer-led session will through the technical aspects of what you myLMS in your self-study time to prepare
not be a traditional lecture. learnt at home. You will be exposed to for the next lecturer-led session(s).
higher-order thinking activities. Your
lecturer will guide you on what to prepare
before attending your next session.

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What will be covered in the rest of today’s session?
What will be covered in the lecture-led session:

2.7 Develop your own process as a ‘writer’.

2.8 Become better at managing academic writing tasks from start to finish.

2.9 Apply a seven-step procedure for writing assignments.

2.10 Organise and structure material and concepts for academic

assignments.

2.11 Develop strategies for specific aspects of the writing process such as
managing writer’s block.

2.12 Approach academic writing tasks at this level with greater confidence.

2.13 Consider further requirements of academic writing including stylistic

conventions, precision, and distinguishing fact and argument from opinion.
Case Liam's Writing Transformation

Study Liam, a university student, often felt overwhelmed by writing assignments and struggled
with writer’s block. After learning a seven-step writing procedure—planning, researching,
outlining, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading—he developed a more structured
approach. By breaking tasks into manageable parts and focusing on clarity and proper
style, Liam's confidence grew. He also created a habit of freewriting to overcome blocks,
helping him write more efficiently and accurately.

Activity:
1. Plan: Write one sentence outlining your next writing assignment’s topic.
2. Organize: List two key points you’ll include in your outline.
3. Overcome Blocks: Identify one strategy to handle writer’s block (e.g., freewriting, taking
breaks).
4. Improve: Choose one aspect to refine (clarity, style, or precision).
Source: Tshetu, P.J (2025)
 Writing a Good Assignment

Embrace Address Use Combine Stay

Embrace the Address Use Resources: Integrated Stay Flexible:

Challenge: Common Review Chapters Process: Balance
Enhances Concerns: 13–16 for Combine writing creativity with
vocabulary, Understand guidelines; with research, academic
critical thinking, expectations to Chapters 10–12 organization, and conventions
and skills for life reduce for skills critical thinking
and work uncertainty
 Approaching Writing with Confidence

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Focus on the Topic: Gather Information: Plan the Structure: Execute the Plan: Review and Revise: Reflect for
Define the main Use credible sources Outline introduction, Follow the outline Ensure clarity and Improvement: Note
aspects to explore and take notes main sections, and logically and accuracy throughout what worked and
conclusion coherently areas to enhance
next time
 Overcoming Writer’s Block
Draft Mindset: Write Freely: Ignore Early
Scribble it Down:
Treat writing as Use pencil or Mistakes: Focus
Write quickly,
drafts, not final colour to ease on ideas, not
refine later
versions pressure errors

Start Anywhere: Break Tasks Speak Your Use Tools: Try

Write sections Down: Set mini- Ideas: Record apps for
out of order if goals to progress and transcribe brainstorming
needed steadily thoughts and organizing

Rest and
Experiment:
Take breaks and
test methods
 Common Features of Academic Writing

Compare Acknowledg
Use Apply Structure Take Synthesize Follow Maintain
and Contrast e
Use Credible Compare and Apply Criteria: Acknowledge Structure Take a Stand: Synthesize Follow a Clear Maintain
Sources: Contrast: Justify Complexities: Arguments Indicate your Ideas: Integrate Structure: Neutral Tone:
Support Evaluate evaluations with Highlight Logically: position clearly different Organize points Be objective
arguments with different clear standards strengths and Ensure points viewpoints logically and
evidence perspectives weaknesses flow coherently unemotional
 7-Step Procedure for Writing Assignments
Clarify and Plan (5%)

• Understand the task and plan steps.

Research (40%)

• Use credible sources and take notes.

Organize Material (5%)

• Create an outline and link ideas.

Reflect and Evaluate (10%)

• Assess arguments and consider counterpoints.

Draft Quickly (10%)

• Use headings and focus on clarity.

Review and Redraft (25%)

• Strengthen structure and add evidence.

Final Checks (5%)

• Proofread and refine before submission.

 Analysing the Question
Understand the Task: Focus on answering the question directly.

Read aloud and highlight key words.

Analyse the Title: Rephrase in your own words.
Identify core questions.

Note what you know and gaps in knowledge.

Delve Deeper: Understand the purpose and context.

Keep the title visible as you write.

Stay Focused: Refer to the title in introductions and conclusions.
 Academic Keywords in Assignment Titles
Explain: Make clear why something happens.

Analyse: Examine in detail, identify key points.

Assess: Evaluate strengths and weaknesses.

Compare: Highlight similarities; Contrast: Focus on differences.

Critically Evaluate: Weigh pros and cons, assess evidence.

Discuss: Cover key aspects, arguments for and against.

Summarise: Present main points briefly.

 Planning in Stages
Note what you know.
Initial Outline Plan: Identify main issues and questions.
Create a ‘To Do’ list.

Prioritize tasks.
Action Plan: Focus on essentials.

Plan backwards from the deadline.

Time Management: Use a planner for each stage.

Modify as you gather info.

Adapting the Plan: Rework if needed.

Clarify with headings and hierarchy.

Final Outline: Avoid delaying writing.
 Concept Pyramids Organize Ideas
A mental category for similar items (e.g.,
What is a Concept? cutlery).

Simplify communication.
Why Concepts Matter: Help organize and understand information.

Superordinate: Most general (e.g., Tree).

Intermediate: More specific (e.g., Oak Tree).
Concept Pyramid Structure:
Subordinate: Most detailed (e.g., Red Oak
Tree)
 Drafting and Re-Drafting Your Writing
Start writing without focusing on style.
Stage 1: Lay Words Down Focus on the assignment question and central points.
Use headings and subheadings for structure.

Re-read and reorder for clarity.

Stage 2: Fine-Tune the Structure Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs.

Read aloud to check flow.

Stage 3: Meaning and Style Improve clarity and continuity.

Take breaks between drafts.

Stage 4: Fine-Tuning Edit and polish your work.

Save each draft separately.

Saving Drafts Use tools like Google Docs for easy revision tracking.
 Writing Strong Paragraphs

Structure Functionality

Subsequent Coherence: Ensure

Opening (Topic) Closing Sentence: Logical Flow:
Sentences: Support connections within
Sentence: Summarizes or Ensure paragraphs
the idea with and between
Introduces the main transitions to the follow a clear
evidence or paragraphs for
idea. next paragraph. progression.
examples. clarity.
 Checking Your Paragraphs

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Sum Up the Identify the Topic Check Relevance: Organize by Sentence Order: Clarity of Paragraph Relevance to
Topic: Write a Sentence: Ensure Ensure every Topic: Color-code Ensure logical Argument: Transitions: Use Title: Remove
brief 1-4 word it's clear and sentence relates and group similar flow and Confirm each linking phrases for irrelevant
summary for each positioned to the topic content into one coherence. paragraph builds smooth flow paragraphs.
paragraph. effectively. sentence. paragraph. on the overall between
argument. paragraphs.
 Linking Ideas in Academic Writing
Adding Points: furthermore, moreover, in addition

Sequencing: first(ly), secondly, next, finally

Simplifying: in other words, to put it simply

Examples: for instance, such as, namely

Alternative Viewpoints: however, by contrast, alternatively

Reaffirming: nonetheless, despite, after all

Results: therefore, as a result, consequently

Summing Up: in conclusion, to summarize, overall

 Editing & Proofreading Your Drafts
Meaning: Read aloud to check for clarity and awkward phrasing

Organisation: Ensure logical structure, grouped ideas, and clear order

Evidence: Back arguments with examples and proper references

Style: Ensure readability, tone, and clarity

Presentation: Verify consistent formatting, neatness, and guidelines

Proofreading: Check for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure

Resources: Use checklists and tools for quality assurance

 Presenting Your Writing in Assignments
Ensure correct version and formatting
Electronic Submission: Include cover pages, references, and page numbers
Leave space for feedback, avoid tracked changes

Omit your name; use student number

Anonymity & Confidentiality: Add assignment title/code in footer
Avoid confidential material

Neatly printed, single-sided

Hard Copy Submission: Minor corrections by hand, major ones typed

Use legible font, consistent heading sizes

Formatting Tips: Follow lecturer preferences (spacing, referencing, etc.)
Bon Voyage!