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FDY3004 Advancing Your Academic Skills
Learning Outcomes
After completing the module, you should be better able to:
1.Use appropriate language and structures when composing common academic texts
2.Write from academic sources with confidence, adhering to the values associated with academic integrity
3.Demonstrate the ability to interpret numerical data when presented within a subject-specific context
4.Graduate Attribute 4: ‘Professionally knowledgeable in the subject area’. Describe key academic conventions that are associated with their subject area and discipline.
All learning outcomes must be met to pass the module.
Assessment Brief
Assessment task instructions
This assessment requires you to practice the research, reading and writing you will do throughout your degree. In summary, you will need to:
Read at least 3 sources of information provided to you on a given topic
Write an academic response to a question on the given topic
Refer to the 3 sources in your written response, adhering to standards of academic integrity (applying AU Harvard Referencing)
Aims of the assessment
We are assessing your ability to read, understand and then respond to these sources in your own words, writing in the academic style you have learned on this module. It is crucial that you
a)use the sources we provide to you to learn about the topic and then answer the question and
b)write in your own words, paraphrasing and summarising the key ideas you have taken from the sources.
You can find the sources in the module iLearn site, under the ‘My Assessment’ tab.
Portfolio Task A: Essay (1500 words) (LOs 1, 2 and 3)
Social Sciences Pathway:
Referring to the viewpoints expressed in the three sources in the given source pack, write a short essay answering this question:
To what extent does sport unify people?
Leadership and Technology Pathway:
Referring to the viewpoints expressed in the three sources in the given source pack, write a short essay answering this question:
To what extent is hybrid-working beneficial to employees?
In Task A, you must answer one of the two questions provided above. It is advised that you respond to the assignment question relating to your Foundation Year pathway. You must present your essay according to the structure and academic writing skills you have developed throughout the module. This includes:
Providing an introduction, main body and conclusion
Using appropriate sentence types
Referring to, interpreting and evaluating numerical data to develop your argument as per LO3 in the assessment criteria (see pages 11-12)
Paraphrasing and summarising information from sources
Using linking words
Using cautious language (or ‘hedging’)
Referencing and citation in line with AU Harvard You must also:
Refer to the three mandatory sources in the relevant source pack provided on iLearn under the ‘My Assessment’ tab.
Provide in-text citations and full references for all sources in AU Harvard Referencing Style.
Gain an additional 10 points on your final module grade for submitting a draft:
To support you in this module assessment, you will submit a substantial paragraph from the draft of your essay (Task A) in Week 4 (Blended Learning) or Week 5 (Distance Learning). We offer this opportunity so that you can receive some early feedback on your essay writing, which will help you complete your portfolio.
Your draft should be a minimum of one substantial paragraph so that your lecturer can see some of your work and give you useful feedback. Remember, it is a draft – what you write does not have to be perfect. Just make a start and write some initial thoughts.
After submitting your draft, you will receive written and verbal feedback on the following points:
Your understanding so far of the arguments presented in the sources
Your ability to paraphrase and summarise sources
How clear your writing is
Use the feedback on your draft to develop and improve your essay in preparation for submitting your portfolio Week 10.
Please note that your draft will be checked by Turnitin for use of AI and for plagiarism. Please ensure that you follow the university guidelines for use of AI and
academic integrity. As this is a writing task that assesses your academic writing ability, it is crucial that you write in your own words.
Please note that the opportunity to gain an additional 10 points on your final module grade only applies to first attempts only, not for work submitted as a resit.
Portfolio Task B: Commentary (500 words) (LOs 1 and 4)
In this task, you will comment on the development of your academic writing skills. To complete this task, follow these steps:
1)Choose one paragraph from your Task A essay that you believe best demonstrates the development of your writing skills.
2)Copy and paste the paragraph so that it is the first paragraph of your Task B response. This does not contribute to the word count of your submission.
Then, use your example paragraph to comment on the development of two writing skills listed below:
Using appropriate sentence types
Presenting and interpreting numerical data
Paraphrasing and summarising information from sources
Using linking words
Using cautious language
3)Provide a full reference list at the end of your assignment in alphabetical order by surname.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.When is the deadline for the assignment?
Please check the ‘My Assessment’ tab of your module on iLearn for the
assignment deadline.
2.What do I include on the first page of my assignment?
Include a cover page. Download the cover page template on iLearn under the ‘My Assessment’ tab. Complete it and add it to the first page of your assignment.
3.Do I include my name?
No, do not include your name. Include your STU number on the cover page.
4.Do I need to answer every task in the assignment brief?
Yes, you must attempt every task.
5.How do I submit my formative draft assignment?
Submit your assignment as a Microsoft Word document to the FORMATIVE submission portal on iLearn under the ‘My Assessment’ tab of the relevant module.
6.How do I submit my formative draft assignment?
Submit your assignment as a Microsoft Word document to the FINAL submission portal on iLearn under the ‘My Assessment’ tab of the relevant module.
7.What file format should my assignment be?
Upload your assignment as a Word document (.docx).
8.Do I include the word count on the cover page?
Yes, provide the exact word count of your final submission.
9.What exactly is included in the word count?
The word count includes all text in the main body of the submission. This includes titles, headings, subheadings and in-text citations.
10.What exactly is not included in the word count?
The cover page and reference list are not included in the word count. The example paragraph of your work used in Task B is also not included.
11.How is my work assessed?
A lecturer will assess your work using the Assessment Criteria on pages 10-
11. Read these criteria carefully to understand how your work is assessed.
12.Can I apply for an extension?
Yes, you can apply for a 7-day extension. If you need longer, you will need to apply for extenuating circumstances. Access extension forms under ‘E’ of the A-Z key information on iLearn.
13.Can I resubmit my assessment if I fail?
Yes, you will need to resubmit your assignment if you fail. Read Lesson 10 on
your module’s iLearn page for further information.
14.What happens if I commit academic misconduct?
If your assignment is referred for academic misconduct, you may be invited to attend an interview with an Academic Integrity Officer to discuss the allegation. For further information on the consequences of academic misconduct, refer to Arden’s Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy.
| Task A: Essay (1500 words) (LOs 1, 2 and 3) | Yes | No |
Have I included an introduction, main body paragraphs and a conclusion? | ||
Have I referred to the viewpoints expressed in the three sources in the given source pack? | ||
| Have you presented and interpreted numerical data? | ||
Have you provided in-text citations and full references for all sources in AU Harvard Referencing Style? | ||
Have you presented your essay according to the structure and academic writing features given in Task A? |
| Task B: Commentary (500 words) (LOs 1 and 4) | Yes | No |
Have I copied and pasted one paragraph from my Task A essay to comment on in Task B? | ||
Have I commented on the development of two writing skills listed in Task B? | ||
Have I included a full reference list in alphabetical order by surname? |
| Final Check | Yes | No |
Have I edited my submission and proofread for punctuation, grammar and spelling mistakes? | ||
| Have I included a completed cover page? | ||
Have I uploaded my submission as a Microsoft Word document to the correct module submission portal on iLearn? |
Level 3 |
Level 3 prepares students to function effectively at Level 4. Criteria for assessment at Level 3 reflect the preparatory nature of these modules. Students are expected to demonstrate the acquisition of generic learning skills appropriate for self-managed learning in an HE context. Students are expected to demonstrate that they have acquired the underpinning discipline-specific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to undertake a programme of higher education. | ||||||
Band and Categorical Marks |
Outstanding 80+ (85 / 90 / 95 / 100) |
Excellent 70 – 79 (72 / 75 / 78) |
Very Good 60 – 69 (62 / 65 / 68) |
Good 50 – 59 (52 / 55 / 58) |
Satisfactory 40 – 49 (42 / 45 / 48) |
Marginal Fail 30 – 39 (32 / 35 / 38) |
Fail < 29 (0 / 5 / 15 / 20 / 25) |
| Task A: Essay (1500 words) (LOs 1, 2 and 3) | |||||||
| LO1: Use appropriate language and structures when composing common academic texts | An outstanding use of language and structures appropriate to an academic essay. There is an outstanding use of sentence types and a varied and nuanced use of linking words and cautious language. The register is fully academic throughout and outstandingly clear to understand. | An excellent use of language and structures appropriate to an academic essay. There is excellent use of sentence types and a varied and nuanced use of linking words and cautious language. The register is almost fully academic throughout and excellently clear to understand. | A very good use of language and structures appropriate to an academic essay. There is very good use of sentence types, a wide variety of linking words and cautious language. The register is generally academic throughout and generally very clear to understand. | A good use of language and structures appropriate to an academic essay. There is good use of sentence types, a variety of linking words and cautious language. The register is somewhat academic throughout, though there are numerous lapses. The text is clear to und | A satisfactory use of language and structures appropriate to an academic essay. There is satisfactory use of appropriate sentence types, linking words and some cautious language. There is some use of academic register, and the text is generally clear to understand. | A limited use of language and structures appropriate to an academic essay. There is limited use of appropriate sentence types, linking words and cautious language. There is limited, infrequent use of academic register, and the text is often not clear to understand. | A poor composition featuring language and structures that are not appropriate to an academic essay. There is no use of appropriate sentence types, linking words and cautious language. The register is not academic, and the text is not clear to understand. |
LO2: Write from academic sources with confidence, adhering to the values associated with academic integrity
(Includes referencing and citation) | The essay refers to all three sources from the source pack and includes additional secondary sources. Paraphrasing and reporting verbs are used to outstanding success. The essay critically considers the sources to an outstanding degree. References and citations fully adhere to AU Harvard. | The essay refers to all three sources from the source pack and includes additional secondary sources. Paraphrasing and reporting verbs are used to excellent success. The essay critically considers the sources to an excellent degree. References and citations almost entirely adhere to AU Harvard aside one or two errors in punctuation. | The essay refers to all three sources from the source pack and more than one secondary source. Paraphrasing and reporting verbs are used to very good success. The essay critically considers the sources to a very good degree. References and citations are consistently accurate according to AU Harvard, despite minor errors. | The essay refers to all three sources from the source pack and one secondary source. There is a good attempt to paraphrase, and reporting verbs are used to good success. The essay engages with the sources to a good degree. References and citations are mainly accurate according to AU Harvard, though errors persist. | The essay refers to all three sources from the source pack. There is some attempt to paraphrase, though no attempt to include secondary sources. Reporting verbs are used to some success. References and citations are somewhat accurate according to AU Harvard, despite numerous errors. | The essay refers to one or two sources from the source pack. There is no attempt to include secondary sources There is a limited attempt to paraphrase and a limited demonstration of referencing and citation according to AU Harvard. | There is no reference to sources from the source pack. There is no attempt to include secondary sources or paraphrase, nor any attempt to reference or cite secondary material. |
| LO3: Demonstrate the ability to interpret numerical data when presented within a subject-specific context | There is an outstanding attempt to refer to numerical data. The interpretation of data demonstrates an outstanding degree of evaluation and insight in a highly sophisticated manner. | There is an excellent attempt to refer to numerical data. The interpretation of data demonstrates an excellent degree of evaluation and insight in a sophisticated manner. | There is a very good attempt to refer to numerical data. The interpretation of data demonstrates a very good degree of evaluation and insight. | There is a good attempt to refer to numerical data. The interpretation of data demonstrates a good degree of evaluation, and implications of the data are considered. | There is a satisfactory attempt to refer to numerical data. The data is interpreted to satisfactory success, though the interpretation lacks depth. | There is a limited attempt to refer to numerical data. However, the data is not interpreted or evaluated. | There is no presentation of numerical data. |
| Task B: Commentary (500 words) (LOs 1 and 4) | |||||||
| LO1: Use appropriate language and structures when composing common academic texts | An outstanding use of language and structures appropriate to an academic commentary. There is an outstanding use of appropriate sentence types, linking words and paragraphs. The commentary is very effective and provides an individual perspective in response to the task. | An12xcelent use of language and structures appropriate to an academic commentary. There is excellent use of appropriate sentence types, linking words and paragraphs. The commentary is very effective and generally provides an individual perspective in response to the task. | A very good use of language and structures appropriate to an academic commentary. There is very good use of appropriate sentence types, linking words and paragraphs. The commentary is very effective in demonstrating the development of academic writing. | A good use of language and structures appropriate to an academic commentary. There is good use of appropriate sentence types, linking words and paragraphs. The commentary is effective in demonstrating the development of academic writing. | A satisfactory use of language and structures appropriate to an academic commentary. There is satisfactory use of appropriate sentence types, linking words and paragraphs. The commentary is somewhat effective in demonstrating the development of academic writing. | A limited use of language and structures appropriate to an academic commentary. There is limited use of appropriate sentence types, linking words and paragraphs. | A poor composition featuring language and structures that are not appropriate to the academic commentary. There is no use of appropriate sentence types, linking words and paragraphs. |
LO4: Graduate Attribute 4: ‘Professionally knowledgeable in the subject area’.
Describe key academic conventions that are associated with their subject area and discipline | An outstanding description of two key academic conventions listed in Task B, utilising various meta-language. The commentary is highly sophisticated in exploring the implications of utilising these conventions in academic writing. There is an outstanding understanding of the development of academic conventions in the example paragraph. | An excellent description of two key academic conventions listed in Task B, utilising various meta-language. The commentary explores the implications of utilising these conventions in academic writing and demonstrates an excellent understanding of the development of academic conventions in the example paragraph. | A very good description of two key academic conventions listed in Task B, utilising various meta-language such as ‘topic sentence’, ‘thesis statement’ or ‘reporting verb’. The commentary demonstrates a very good understanding of the development of academic conventions in the example paragraph. | A good description of two key academic conventions listed in Task B, utilising some meta-language such as ‘topic sentence’, ‘thesis statement’ or ‘reporting verb’. The commentary is directly related to the example paragraph. | A satisfactory description of two key academic conventions listed in Task B. An example paragraph from Task A is provided, and the commentary is generally related to the example paragraph. | A limited description of the key academic conventions listed in Task B. An example paragraph from Task A is provided, though the commentary is largely unrelated to the example paragraph. | The commentary does not describe any key academic conventions listed in Task B. There is no example paragraph from Task A provided. The commentary is unrelated to the example paragraph. |
Your assignment should include an Arden University cover page, which can be
downloaded under the ‘My Assessment’ tab of the module on iLearn.
You must address all the elements of the tasks in the assignment brief. Tutors will use the assessment criteria (pages 11-12) to assess your work. It is advised that you refer to these criteria while completing your assignment to understand how you are assessed and to achieve the best possible grade.
Do not include your name in your submission. Arden University operates anonymous marking, meaning that markers should not be aware of the identity of the student.
However, do not forget to include your STU number in your cover page.
The maximum word count of this assignment is 2000 words. Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the assessment. The full word count policy can be found in Student Policies here: Arden University | Regulatory Framework.
The word count includes everything in the main body of the assessment (including in text citations). The word count excludes numerical data in tables, figures, diagrams, footnotes, reference list and appendices. All other printed words are included in the word count. Note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a 10- percent grade deduction.
Final Portfolio Submission
Assessments submitted late will not be accepted. Please submit your portfolio as a Word document.
You must ensure that the submitted assessment is all your own work and that all sources used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assessment which show evidence of unfair practice. See the Student Handbook which is available on the A-Z key information on iLearn).
We strongly encourage you to engage with our assessment support options as you work through your assessment task(s):
View the week 10 iLearn lesson ‘General Assessment Advice and Guidance’
(for information about resits, extensions and extenuating circumstances)
Book a tutorial with a Foundation Year lecturer
Academic Skills Team – book an appointment with a tutor here
Academic Skills Team – book a workshop
Academic Skills Team – view resources
English Language support – English Language Hub
Formative Feedback
You can submit a full/partial draft of your work for feedback. As explained on page 6, submitting a draft by week 4 to the correct formative assessment portal will contribute 10 points towards your final grade.
Submit a copy of your draft using the Turnitin formative draft link by the given deadline. You can find the deadline for your draft on iLearn. You can submit your draft on iLearn under the ‘My Assessment’ tab.
Formative tasks give you the opportunity to check your understanding of key concepts and help you prepare for the final portfolio submission.
Your lecturer will provide verbal or written feedback to help you improve your assessment.
Assignments submitted late will not be accepted and will be marked as a 0% fail.
If submitting multiple files, you must name each document as the question/part you are answering along with your student number, i.e. Task A STUXXXX. If you wish to overwrite your submission or one of your submissions, you must ensure that your new submission has exactly the same file name as the previous one for the system to overwrite it.
The submitted assignment must be your own work and that all sources used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of academic unfair practice. See the Student Handbook which is available on the A-Z key information on iLearn.
Assessment Criteria: Level 3 Assessment Criteria
Level 3 |
Level 3 prepares students to function effectively at Level 4. Criteria for assessment at Level 3 reflect the preparatory nature of these modules. Students are expected to demonstrate the acquisition of generic learning skills appropriate for self-managed learning in an HE context. Students are expected to demonstrate that they have acquired the underpinning discipline-specific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to undertake a programme of higher education. | ||||||
Band and Categorical Marks |
Outstanding 80+ (85 / 90 / 95 / 100) |
Excellent 70 – 79 (72 / 75 / 78) |
Very Good 60 – 69 (62 / 65 / 68) |
Good 50 – 59 (52 / 55 / 58) |
Satisfactory 40 – 49 (42 / 45 / 48) |
Marginal Fail 30 – 39 (32 / 35 / 38) |
Fail < 29 (0 / 5 / 15 / 20 / 25) |
Arden University assessment criteria:
Overall Judgement | Outstanding performance which demonstrates an outstanding knowledge base, supported with wider reading and the ability to begin to analyse the subject area. The work draws widely on relevant theory and shows awareness of any relevant ethical considerations. | Excellent performance which demonstrates an excellent knowledge base and the ability to begin to analyse the subject. The work draws on relevant theory whilst showing some awareness of any relevant ethical considerations. | Very good performance which demonstrates a sound understanding of the content and some ability to analyse the issues with reference to theory. | A good performance which shows a decent understanding of the content and makes some reference to theory. The work shows a sound level of competence in managing basic sources and materials. Good professional skills (where appropriate). | A satisfactory level of understanding in which there are some gaps in knowledge of the subject, its underpinning theory, and ethical considerations. | A limited level of knowledge in which there are clear omissions in understanding the subject, its underpinning theory, and ethical considerations. | A poor performance in which there are substantial gaps in knowledge and understanding. The work is imitative. |
Arden University assessment criteria:
Academic writing, academic skills | Outstanding academic writing skills and professional skills (where appropriate). | Excellent academic writing skills and professional skills (where appropriate). | Academic writing skills are very good, and expression remains accurate overall. Very good professional skills (where appropriate). | Academic writing skills are generally good, and expression remains accurate overall although the piece may lack structure. | Academic writing skills are limited and there are some errors in expression and the work may lack structure overall. There are some difficulties in developing professional skills (where appropriate). | Academic writing skills are weak and there are errors in expression and the work may lack structure overall. There are difficulties in developing professional skills (where appropriate). | Academic writing skills are very weak and there are numerous errors in expression. The work lacks structure overall. Professional skills (where appropriate) are not developed. |
Arden University assessment criteria:
Use of sources, referencing of sources | The work shows an outstanding level of competence and confidence in managing appropriate sources and materials and initiative. The work is accurately and consistently referenced throughout. | The work shows a high level of competence in managing sources and materials and initiative. The work is consistently referenced throughout. | The work shows a very good level of competence in managing sources and materials and some initiative. The work is referenced throughout. | There is some attempt to reference the work. | The work shows a basic use of sources and materials. | The work shows a limited use of sources and materials. | The work shows little evidence in the use of appropriate sources and materials. |
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