Sangay Yoesel
Academic Skills Tasks
Year 1 Sem 1 : Aug - Nov, 2023 Tutor: Mrs. karma Cheki
This module aims to develop the knowledge and understanding of a range of academic skills required for study at university level. The module will enhance the learning throughout the studies at university and beyond, through close reading, discussions and critiquing of academic texts. Further, it will also enhance capacity to critically reflect on own learning.
An Overview of the Assessment Approaches and Weighting
Area of Assessment
1. Academic Essay
2. Oral Presentation
3. Portfolio
4. Class Test
5. VLE Discussion
Quantity
1
1
1
1
2
Weighting
30%
15%
25%
20%
10%
UNIT I: Academic Standards
Group Work on Academic Dishonesty
Instruction:
1. Discuss, in groups, the following scenario and categorize these actions as ‘cheating’, ‘not cheating’ or ‘it depends’
2. Justify different categories of honest and dishonest academic practices.
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Scenario 1
Tashi has been very busy for the past week and pushed off a ten-page paper due at midnight. He texts his friend who took the class last semester for his old paper. Tashi promptly changes his name at the top and submits it for grading, passing it off as his own.
Ans: I. False Declaration: Tashi falsely declares the work as his own by submitting his friend's old paper with only a minor change in the name at the top. This false declaration misrepresents his effort and knowledge on the assignment, which is a form of academic dishonesty.
II. Collusion: Tashi collaborates with his friend by using their old paper without proper acknowledgment or permission. This constitutes collusion, as he is working with another person to deceive the teacher.
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Scenario 2
Yangzom is writing a paper for her English class and is struggling to find enough sources to meet the requirements of the assignment. She concludes that the only way to get the paper done and meet the requirements is to use the information she got from a different source and just create a new, false citation for the information to help her reach the citation requirements for the paper.
Ans: I. Falsification of Data: Yangzom is essentially falsifying data by creating a new, false citation for information she didn't actually obtain from a source.
II. Plagiarism: Yangzom is plagiarizing by using the information from a different source and creating a false citation for it.
Scenario 3
Khandu is writing an essay about a topic he had previously studied in a different class. He decides he has a lot of other work to do and his last paper was fully original and well-written. He decides he wants to use the paper he previously wrote for this new assignment
Ans: I. Duplication: Khandu is essentially submitting the same work he had previously written, which can be considered as a form of academic dishonesty.
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Scenario 4
Tshering is stressing out about a paper for her Economic class that is due in two days. Tshering is behind on the material and doesn’t think she has enough time to finish the paper and do her other homework. She decides the best option to get the paper done and get a good grade is to pay a friend who took the class last semester to write paper for her. The friend agrees and writes the paper for Tshering that she then submits for a grade.
Ans: I. Collusion: Tshering is paying her friend to write the paper, which is a clear violation of academic integrity.
II. Commissioning: Tshering and her friend are collaborating in a way that is not permitted by the teacher.​
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Scenario 5
Deki must submit an essay on “ Women Empowerment”. She decides to work on portions of the assignment with three other friends. A Google Doc among them is formed for brainstorming ideas. After a while, all the group members simply copy and paste content from the shared Google Docs into each of their individual essays.
Ans: I. Collusion: Deki and her friends are copying and pasting content without differentiating between their own contributions and the content shared on the Google Doc.
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Exercise 1 and 2
Discuss, in pairs, the following statements and categorize these actions as ‘cheating’, ‘not cheating’ or ‘it depends’.
Reread the statements and justify different categories of honest and dishonest academic practices.
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Q1. You copy just one answer from another student's homework and submit it.
A1. It is cheating because copying someone else's work without permission or proper citation is considered cheating.
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Q2. You use a single sentence from an online source with a citation.
A2. It is not cheating because proper citation of source when using a small portion of its content is acceptable.
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Q3. You discuss ideas with another student while preparing for an assignment.
A3. It is not cheating because discussions and sharing of ideas with other students are encouraged in many educational sectors.
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Q4. You have been assigned a presentation task on IT skills. You include pictures downloaded from the internet on your slides.
A4. It is not cheating as long as you have the necessary permissions and provide proper attribution if required.
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Q5. You wrote a 5-page paper arguing against an issue in your History I class. Your History II lecturer assigns the same kind of paper three weeks later. You edit the same History paper and submit it.
A5. It depends whether you got the permission from your tutor or not since the practice falls under duplication.
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Q6. You used a piece of information in an assignment with proper conventions. However, you reproduced the same information without acknowledgement in an exam response.
A6. It is cheating since copying information without proper acknowledgment is plagiarism.
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Q7. You quote a sentence from a reading or lecture slides in an assignment with acknowledgement.
A7. It is not cheating because properly quoting and acknowledging a source in your assignment is a good academic practice.
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Q8. Your command of written English is not as good as you would like it to be. You explain to your friend what you want to say in the essay – all your own ideas – and your friend writes it for you, and you then submit it.
A8. It is not cheating because if your friend is helping you with the language but the ideas are your own, it might be acceptable but you should know the boundaries.
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Q9. You are unfamiliar with the essay topic assigned for ACS101. You realize your senior knows more about the topic so you ask her to write the assignment and submit it.
A9. It is cheating because asking someone else to write your assignment and submitting other's work is not a good academic practice.
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Q10. You have been assigned as part of a group to complete a group assignment. All members of the group work on some sections of the assignment, but you did the majority of the work so you submit it as an individual assignment.
A10. It is cheating because being a group assignment, it should be submitted as a collective effort unless specified by the tutor.
Exercise 3
At the end of the video lessons, allow students to analyse and share to the class the importance of academic integrity and intellectual property.
Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQsZf2G4Sdc
Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4Tbq22NHag
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From the first video, the importance of intellectual property (IP) becomes evident. IP, which includes trademarks, copyrights, patents, and design rights, is crucial for protecting creative works and innovations. It incentivizes innovation by ensuring that those with great ideas can benefit from them. Plagiarism and copyright infringement are highlighted as unethical practices that undermine IP, emphasizing the need for proper attribution and respect for others' work. The video underscores the significance of protecting one's ideas, even in everyday life, as IP affects both individuals and businesses. Overall, it stresses the value of IP in fostering innovation and creativity.
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From the second video, the importance of protecting ideas through intellectual property (IP) is emphasized in the business context. The video highlights the four main types of IP: trademarks, copyrights, design rights, and patents. It explains how these forms of protection work, such as trademark registration for brands and copyright for creative works. The long-term benefits of IP, including asset value and potential returns, are emphasized. The video also encourages businesses to be aware of their IP rights and consider seeking professional advice when necessary. It underscores that IP is essential for safeguarding innovations and ensuring business success.
Exercise 4
As a take home task, ask students to find one case or example each of academic dishonesty and theft of intellectual property and share to the class.
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Academic Dishonesty
The University of Manitoba has reported a significant increase in academic misconduct cases, with 1,127 incidents in the 2021-22 academic year, up from 706 before the pandemic in 2018-19. Although there was a slight decline from the previous year, the numbers remain elevated, partly attributed to a surge in inappropriate collaboration cases, reaching a five-year high at 380 incidents. Penalties for such collaboration include a zero on assignments, course failure, and transcript notations, which the University of Manitoba Students' Union finds overly punitive, advocating for more student support in addressing this issue. The university underscores the importance of maintaining academic integrity despite pandemic-related challenges, and the Discipline Committee will continue overseeing academic appeals, monitoring the impact of the return to in-person learning on misconduct trends in the current academic year. Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/inappropriate-academic-collaboration-university-manitoba-students-1.6753429
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Theft of Intellectual Property
In 1979, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and a team of engineers were invited to visit Xerox's Palo Alto Research Company (PARC), which was known for its innovative work on new products. During the visit, they encountered a personal computer with a mouse and a graphical user interface (GUI), which greatly excited Jobs. Xerox, however, did not see potential market success and discontinued production in 1981. Jobs and Apple subsequently developed a similar personal computer, the Lisa, with these features, launching it in 1983. Xerox later filed a $150 million copyright lawsuit against Apple in 1989, claiming infringement. The case was dismissed because Xerox did not own the concept of a mouse, and Apple had made substantial modifications to the GUI, making it distinct from the original PARC computer. Source: https://www.jumpstartmag.com/top-3-biggest-intellectual-property-cases-ever/
UNIT II: Note-taking Methods
Exercise 1
Read the following passages A and B, and take notes using the two methods of note-taking.
Passage A
Animals living in modern zoos enjoy several advantages over animals in the wild; however, they must also so suffer some disadvantages. One advantage of living in a zoo is that the animals are separated from their natural predators; they are protected and can, therefore, live without risk of being attacked. Another advantage is that they are regularly fed a special, well-balanced diet; thus, they do not have to hunt for food or suffer at times when food is hard to find. On the other hand, zoo animals face several disadvantages. The most important disadvantage is that since they do not have to hunt for food or face their enemies, some animals become bored, discontented or even nervous. Another disadvantage is that zoo visitors can endanger their lives. Some animals can pick up airborne diseases from humans.
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A Mind Mapping for Passage A
Passage B
The World Health Organization began a dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) spraying program that virtually eliminated malaria. But other things began to happen. Besides killing mosquitoes, the DDT killed other insects that lived in the houses such as flies and cockroaches. These insects were the favourite food of geckos (small lizards). And so when the geckos ate the dead insects, they died from DDT poisoning. Similarly, the house cats ate the dead geckos and cockroaches, and they too died from the DDT poisoning. As a result, the rat population rose sharply, and the human population of Borneo began to die from a type of plague carried by fleas on the rats. In order to deal with the emergency, thousands of cats were parachuted into the island, in what was called ‘Operation Cat Drop’.
Adapted from: eu.lib.kmutt.ac.th/.../08%20Note-taking%20from%20Reading.pdf
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An Outline for Passage B
UNIT III: Academic Reading
Exercise 2
Tick against the statements that describe what you do when you read.
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I try to pronounce the words as I read them to help me understand. ✓
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I usually read every piece of writing the same way and at the same speed. ✓
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I read each word slowly, one at a time. x
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I like to guess the meaning of words before using my dictionary. x
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I always try to use my dictionary first to find the meaning of words I do not understand. ✓
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I stop reading when I come to a word I do not know. ✓
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I usually move my lips or speak aloud when I read. ✓
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I think reading aloud is more important than reading silently to myself. x
Exercise 3
Scan texts 1 and 2 below and say what they are about.
Text 1
Water Wars: Introduction to the Issues
There are four key issues to consider when thinking about global water issues:
Water scarcity: In some parts of the world a changing climate is drying up traditional water sources and leading to erratic weather, leaving 1.1 billion people without access to safe water. This causes conflict over scarce resources, puts strain on the women of the family to walk miles for water, leads to death and illness from drinking unsafe water, and affects food production, leading to hunger and increased global food prices when there is a decline in supply.
Water sanitation: Throughout poor countries, access to clean water and basic sanitation is the major water threat, with 2.6 billion lacking adequate sanitation leading to 5 million deaths per year. People living in extreme poverty such as slum dwellers, for example, do not pay rent for their land nor taxes and thus are deprived of basic city services like sewage treatment and water delivered through pipes. It is estimated by 2030 that 2 billion of the world’s people will live in slums.
Water access: Water access links to both scarcity and sanitation issues in many parts of the world, but is in and of itself a problem as well. For the most part, it means that even if there is enough water for people in an area (through ground water, a spring or a river) there is no water infrastructure in an area (such as a well, pipes or a capped spring). This problem often results in long distance water walking or water sanitation problems. Furthermore, while the world’s water sources are depleting, the world’s population is growing. In the past 100 years, the world’s population has tripled yet water consumption has increased six fold, leaving more people living under conditions of extreme water stress.
Resource management: This is often a political issue in water scarce or water stretched areas. It usually means that there are many groups vying to use the same water source and that without political intervention there becomes a frightening “race to the bottom” as all interested parties scramble to use as much of the water as they can.
Adapted from http://waterwars.pulitzergateway.org/?p=5792
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Answer
The text discusses four key issues related to global water problems:
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Water Scarcity: Climate change causing water source depletion, erratic weather, and the impact on people.
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Water Sanitation: Lack of access to clean water and sanitation, particularly in poor countries.
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Water Access: Challenges related to water infrastructure and population growth.
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Resource Management: Political issues in water-stressed areas leading to competition for water resources.
Text 2
Precious Fluid
Today in almost every area of the world one chooses to look at there is a water problem
- scarcity, depletion, pollution, lack of sanitation, a change is rain patterns due to global warming, big dam projects blocking up rivers, privatization, inequities of distribution, cross- border conflict, profligate use and mismanagement. Take your pick. But let’s start with overuse.
We learn at school that freshwater on earth follows a cycle: it is constantly being replenished, some of it soaking into the ground and into vegetation, some of it meandering through streams and rivers on its way back to the sea. But at what stage of our lives do we forget this important lesson? The moment one starts using freshwater beyond the rate at which it can be replenished, the hydrological cycle is endangered.
The crisis is particularly acute in relation to our groundwater reserves, lying deep under the surface in aquifers, upon which a third of the world’s population depends. Water can take thousands of years to percolate into aquifers (some contain water from the last ice age). Some have since sealed up, allowing little possibility of recharge. Because the reserves of water they hold are large, humans have been tapping them like there is no tomorrow. Currently, we are pumping out about 200 billion cubic meters (1 cubic meter = 908 liters) more than can be recharged, steadily using up our water capital.
Adapted from: https://www.nhti.edu/student-resources/where-can-i-get-help-my- studies/study-solutions-lab/reading-and-learning-sq3r
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Answer
The text discusses three key issues related to global water problems:
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Global Water Crisis: The text discusses widespread water issues, including scarcity, pollution, and climate-related changes.
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Overuse of Freshwater: It emphasizes the risk of using freshwater faster than it can naturally replenish, endangering the hydrological cycle.
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Groundwater Depletion: The text highlights the critical problem of depleting groundwater reserves, especially deep aquifers, which support a significant portion of the world's population
Exercise 4
Skim Texts 1 and 2 above, and discuss what aspect of water each text says.
Answer
Text 1
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Water Scarcity: Changing climate patterns are causing water scarcity in some regions, affecting 1.1 billion people's access to safe water.
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Water Sanitation: In many poor countries, 2.6 billion people lack adequate sanitation, leading to 5 million deaths annually.
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Water Access: The lack of water infrastructure, even in areas with sufficient water sources, leads to long-distance water collection and sanitation problems.
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Resource Management: Political issues arise in water-scarce areas, where multiple groups compete for the same water source.
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Text 2
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Overuse of Freshwater: Leading to issues like scarcity, depletion, pollution, and lack of sanitation.
Exercise 6
Paraphrase the following passage.
Europeans often observe that Americans schedule everything except time for relaxation. This is particularly true of American executives, who drive themselves too hard, often at the expense of their families and their health. Americans have fewer holidays and take shorter vacations than do Europeans. In the opinion of many German and French executives, American executives are obsessed with work; they are workaholics. Most Europeans do not accept working on weekends or holidays; they reserve these times for themselves and their families (Hall and Hall, 1995).
Answer
Europeans frequently observe that Americans plan everything but leisure. This is especially true with American executives, who frequently put their families and health at risk due to their excessive self-drive. Compared to Europeans, Americans take less holidays and shorter vacations. Many German and French executives believe that American CEOs are workaholics who are consumed by their jobs. The majority of Europeans keep weekends and holidays free for themselves and their families; they do not accept working during these times (Hall and Hall, 1995).
Exercise 7
Read and summarize the text below in an academic way.
A World Empire by Other Means
English is everywhere. Some 380 million people speak it as their first language and perhaps two-thirds as many again as their second. A billion are learning it, about a third of the world's population are in some sense exposed to it and by 2050, it is predicted, half the world will be more or less proficient in it. It is the language of globalization – of international business, politics and diplomacy. It is the language of computers and the internet. You'll see it on posters in Cote d'Ivoire, you'll hear it in pop songs in Tokyo, and you’ll read it in official documents in Phnom Penh. Deutsche Welle broadcasts in it. Bjork, an Icelander, sings in it. French business schools teach in it. It is the medium of expression in cabinet meetings in Bolivia. Truly, the tongue spoken back in the 1300s only by the ‘low people’ of England, as Robert of Gloucester put it at the time, has come a long way. It is now the global language.
How come? Not because English is easy. True, genders are simple, since English relies on ‘it’ as the pronoun for all inanimate nouns, reserving masculine for bona fide males and feminine for females (and countries and ships). But the verbs tend to be irregular, the grammar bizarre and the match between spelling and pronunciation a nightmare. English is now so widely spoken in so many places that umpteen versions have evolved, some so peculiar that even ‘native’ speakers may have trouble understanding each other. But if only one version existed, that would present difficulties enough.
Adapted from:
Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2005). Writing academic English (4th ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson Education.
Answer
English is used all over the world in many different areas like business, politics, the internet, and entertainment. Many people are learning English, and it's expected that by 2050, about half of the world's population will be able to speak it. English has become the main global language even though it has some tricky parts like irregular verbs, complicated grammar, and confusing spelling. This is because it's used a lot and has an impact in various places, despite different versions of English that have developed in different regions.
UNIT IV: Academic Writing
Exercise 1
Which of the following are examples of academic writing? Mark ‘A’ for Academic, and ‘NA’ for Not Academic.
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A letter to a newspaper - NA
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An essay on the topic ‘Why I love my country’ - NA
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A report by the college president on the academic year - A
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A letter to a friend - NA
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An essay on the question ‘Describe the chemical composition and configuration of enzymes and discuss the factors that modify enzyme structure and/or function.’ - A
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An article in a published journal, for instance in the Journal of Bhutan Studies - A
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A report by a student on a field experiment that involved counting the number of insect species present in a given area - A
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A chapter in a best-selling book on how to be a great businessman - NA
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A chapter in a book reporting the results of a large-scale study on the psychological factors that lead to success in business - A
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An essay on the topic ‘Globalization is a major threat to Bhutanese culture and identity. To what extent do you agree with this claim?’ - NA
Exercise 2
Read the following extracts from two students’ texts 1 and 2, and find out what each is about.
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Text 1
There is substantial research evidence to suggest that internet addiction is a growing phenomenon, and that this addiction may have serious social and personal consequences. Studies have found incidence of online addiction in a number of countries. A recent, large- scale survey carried out by Leeds University psychologists found that 1.2% of respondents in Britain were addicted to the internet (Young, 2009, p. 67). A second survey of 2,000 British people aged between 16 and 40, found that 2.3% could be categorized as internet addicts (Shale, 2010, p. 5). Internet addiction has been identified as a problem in many other societies, including India (Nalwa & Anand, 2003), and China (Li, 2004).
Internet addiction is commonly linked to depression, loneliness and social isolation. However, there is debate about whether depression leads to internet dependence or vice versa (Morrison, 2010; Naylor, 2008). It seems likely that people who are socially isolated or depressed turn to the internet as a source interaction, social contact or distraction. In China, however, the medical establishment tends to view internet addiction as a cause rather than a consequence of psychological problems and in Beijing online addiction clinics have been set up to treat this growing phenomenon (Griffiths, 2009).
Answer
The above given text analyses internet addiction's prevalence and its repercussions by providing research and studies from various nations. It discusses the controversy over whether or not internet addiction and depression are related, as well as the opening of online addiction clinics in China.
Text 2
I think it’s not the net that’s the problem, when we talk about online addiction. I think we get addicted to stuff if we’re depressed. My brother split up with his girlfriend and he started spending hours online. Why? ‘Cos he was unhappy. That proves that addiction is caused by depression and not the other way round. Research shows that lots of British people are addicted to the internet. Internet addiction’s a growing problem with big consequences for the world. In fact, 2.3% of all British people are internet addicts! And there are lots in China and India too. Chinese psychologists think that the internet’s the problem and causes depression. They’ve set up special clinics to treat online addicts. Personally, I think that’s pretty stupid – they should look at why people get addicted. And they should change and give Tibet back to the Tibetans too. That would make lots of people less depressed.
Answer
According to Text 2, the internet itself is not the cause of internet addiction, but rather underlying problems like depression. Although it cites statistics on internet addiction in many nations, it contests the idea that the internet is the main culprit. A political remark concerning Tibet is also present in the text.
Exercise 3
Read Texts 1 and 2 again and discuss these questions.
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Is the topic the same in each text?
Yes, the topic in both texts is about internet addiction and its relationship with depression, as well as the prevalence of internet addiction in different countries.
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2.Is the basic information the same in each text?
No, although the fact that both texts address the topic of internet addiction and its connection to depression, they take different stances on it. By mentioning studies and authorities, Text 1 offers a more objective and evidence-based perspective. whereas Text 2 offers a more subjective and opinionated viewpoint, highlighting the contribution of depression to internet addiction and criticizing China's strategy.
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3. Which would be a more acceptable piece of writing at university? Why?
Due to its reliance on academic sources, utilization of research evidence, and formal, objective tone, Text 1 would be more acceptable at a university. It provides a well-structured argument with clear relations between concepts and follows to the rules of academic writing. whereas Text 2 lacks the formality, objectivity, and organization that are typical of academic writing and is instead casual and subjective.
Exercise 4
Look at Text 2 and find five examples of informal language.
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"I think it’s not the net that’s the problem..."
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"My brother split up with his girlfriend..."
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"Why? ‘Cos he was unhappy."
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"That proves that addiction is caused by depression..."
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"And they should change and give Tibet back to the Tibetans too."
Exercise 5
Which text is more structured – Text 1 or Text 2? Explain.
Text 1 is better organized than Text 2. Text 1 is organized orderly and sequentially, giving research findings, exploring various points of view, and finishing with details regarding treatment clinics. It connects concepts and keeps a logical flow by using distinct signposts like "however," "it seems likely," and "in Beijing." whereas Text 2 lacks this organized method and moves back and forth from personal experiences, viewpoints, and arguments without a clear transition between each.
Exercise 6
Look at Text 2 and find two examples of where it is not logical.
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"That proves that addiction is caused by depression and not the other way round."
The statement presents a one-sided argument without taking into account the possibility of indirect cause and effect, simplifying the complex link between addiction and depression.
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"Personally, I think that’s pretty stupid – they should look at why people get addicted."
The statement makes a personal judgement without providing any logical justification or supporting data.
Exercise 7
How many sources are used in Text 1? What information does the writer give to tell readers that the writer read the information somewhere?
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Young, 2009 (page 67)
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Shale, 2010 (page 5)
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Nalwa & Anand, 2003
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Li, 2004
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Morrison, 2010
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Naylor, 2008
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Griffiths, 2009
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The author mentions the names of the authors and the years of publication inside the text, sometimes even giving precise page numbers, as evidence that they read the information.
Exercise 8
Look at Text 2 and find at least three examples of where the writing is not objective. Also, see if there are examples of where Text 1 expressed the same idea as Text 2 but in an objective way.
Text 1
Text 2
That proves that addiction is caused by depression and not the other way round. Research shows that lots of British people are addicted to the internet.
A recent, large- scale survey carried out by Leeds University psychologists found that 1.2% of respondents in Britain were addicted to the internet (Young, 2009, p. 67)
Internet addiction is a growing problem with big consequences for the world.
It seems likely that people who are socially isolated or depressed turn to the internet as a source interaction, social contact or distraction.
And there are lots in China and India too. Chinese psychologists think that the internet’s the problem and causes depression.
Internet addiction has been identified as a problem in many other societies, including India (Nalwa & Anand, 2003), and China (Li, 2004).
In China, however, the medical establishment tends to view internet addiction as a cause rather than a consequence of psychological problems.
Exercise 9
Compare Text 1 and Text 2, and find at least two examples where Text 1 is more precise than Text 2.
Text 1
Text 2
Text 1 provides specific statistics: "1.2% of respondents in Britain were addicted to the internet" and "2.3% could be categorized as internet addicts."
Text 2 simply states, "2.3% of all British people are internet addicts," without specifying the source or methodology.
Text 1 mentions that "online addiction clinics have been set up to treat this growing phenomenon (Griffiths, 2009)." This provides a specific action taken in response to internet addiction
Text 2, while mentioning Chinese clinics, does not provide this level of detail or attribution.
Exercise 10
The following sentences contain examples of poor academic writing. Underline all the examples you can identify.
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More and more students from Asian countries, like China, Vietnam and so on, are signing up for British universities.
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We have to do something to stop global warming. But governments don’t seem to care very much.
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What can we do to solve the problems of drug abuse among teenagers? There are three things.
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If the present economic crisis goes on for a few more years, we’ll all be in trouble.
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When you look into the causes of poverty in Africa, you have to consider that environmental factors are important. But these things are often ignored.
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In my opinion, the biggest environmental problems in Bhutan are things like deforestation, pollution and the irresponsible dumping of waste.
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There are lots of things we need to consider when we try to figure out what’s caused the current financial crisis.
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Populations of marine mammals are going down all around the world, because the condition of the oceans is getting worse and worse. Sadly, ocean pollution is a really big problem.
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It’s madness to suggest that global warming is not caused by human activity, even though there are a few idiotic, so-called scientists who hold this view.
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I think there’s plenty of evidence that television is good for children, though lots of educationalists disagree.
Exercise 11
Rewrite the above sentences in a more academic style by keeping the meaning of the original. You will need to completely rewrite the sentences, not just change a few words.
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​1. More and more students from Asian countries, like China, Vietnam and so on, are signing up for British universities.
~ A growing number of students from Asian countries such as China and Vietnam are enrolling in British universities.
2. We have to do something to stop global warming. But governments don’t seem to care very much.
~ Although the majority of scientists agree that global warming requires urgent action, a number of governments have been slow to act.
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3. What can we do to solve the problems of drug abuse among teenagers? There are three things.
~ Three important measures must be taken into consideration in order to deal with the issue of teenage drug abuse.
4. ​If the present economic crisis goes on for a few more years, we’ll all be in trouble.​
~ If the current economic crisis last for a number of more years, it may have a major impact.
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5. When you look into the causes of poverty in Africa, you have to consider that environmental factors are important. But these things are often ignored.​
~ It's important to include environmental factors, which are often ignored while examining the reasons of poverty in Africa.
6. In my opinion, the biggest environmental problems in Bhutan are things like deforestation, pollution and the irresponsible dumping of waste.
~ Deforestation, pollution, and poor garbage disposal are three of Bhutan's worst environmental problems.
7. There are lots of things we need to consider when we try to figure out what’s caused the current financial crisis.
~ There are many aspects to take into consideration when determining the root causes of the current financial crisis.
8. Populations of marine mammals are going down all around the world, because the condition of the oceans is getting worse and worse. Sadly, ocean pollution is a really big problem.
~ Due to the decreasing condition of the oceans, numbers of marine animals are decreasing worldwide. The problem of ocean pollution is serious and urgent.
9. It’s madness to suggest that global warming is not caused by human activity, even though there are a few idiotic, so-called scientists who hold this view.
~ Despite the minority view held by a few experts, it is not possible to claim that human activity is not a cause of global warming.
10. I think there’s plenty of evidence that television is good for children, though lots of educationalists disagree.
~ Although many educators disagree, there is enough of data to support television's positive impacts on kids.
Exercise 12
Look back at the statements you identified as opinions in the earlier exercise. These could all serve as positions or claims in academic writing. Remember an academic argument consists of a claim or statement of a point of view and supporting evidence to persuade your reader that your point of view is reasonable.
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1. Women tend to have better verbal skills than men, while men more commonly excel at tasks requiring spatial skills.
Some studies have suggested that, on average, women tend to perform better in certain verbal tasks. For example, a study published in the journal "Psychological Bulletin" in 1994 by Hyde, J. S., and Linn, M. C., titled "Gender Differences in Verbal Ability: A Meta-Analysis," found small but statistically significant gender differences in verbal skills, with women tending to score slightly higher in verbal tasks.
2. The retreat of the Himalayan glaciers is likely to lead to severe water shortages, potentially threatening the economic and political stability of the entire region.
World Bank: The World Bank conducts research on climate change and its socio-economic impacts, including water scarcity. Their reports often include data and analysis related to the Himalayan region.
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United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): UNEP publishes reports and assessments related to climate change and its impacts on ecosystems and water resources. Look for their publications on glaciers and water security.
3. The spread of the English language has a negative effect on other cultures and languages, and is leading to the increasing homogenization of the world.
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Language Endangerment: Crystal, D. (2000). "Language Death." Cambridge University Press. This book discusses language endangerment and the factors contributing to the decline of languages, including the dominance of global languages like English. Cultural Homogenization: Tomlinson, J. (1999). "Globalization and Culture." University of Chicago Press. This book explores the impact of globalization, including the spread of English, on cultures worldwide and its potential effects on cultural homogenization.
UNIT V: Academic Essay
Exercise 1
Read the essay introduction below and discuss the following questions.
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Oil forms the basis of developed economies, fueling industries, services, homes and transport systems. If access to oil were withdrawn, most nations would descend into immediate chaos. Yet oil is a finite resource and as demand increases, global oil reserves are becoming smaller and will eventually run out. Therefore, it is vital that other energy sources replace oil, and at present the most viable alternatives are nuclear power and renewables such as solar, wind and wave power, although none are wholly satisfactory.
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1. What is the topic of the essay?
The topic of the essay is the need for replacing oil with other forms of energy due to its limited supply and the possible negative effects doing so.
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2. Does the writer have an opinion on the topic? If yes, what?
The author does have an opinion on the subject. Since oil is limited resource with the potential to bring chaos if it runs out, the author thinks that alternative energy sources must take its place.
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3. Which sentence gives you the main idea of the essay?
The phrase “Therefore, it is vital that other energy sources replace oil..…..although none are wholly satisfactory” sums up the essay’s main idea.
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​4. Does the introduction try to show you why the topic is important? If yes, how?
Yes, by emphasizing the reliance of developed countries on oil and the future reduction of global oil supplies, the introduction makes an effort to demonstrate the significance of the issue. The potential for chaos if oil were to become unavailable stresses how urgent it is to discover alternatives.
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5. What background information does the writer give about the topic?
The writer gives background information by describing how oil is crucial for industrialized countries, supporting a variety of sectors including businesses, services, residences, and transportation. The fact that oil is a limited resource is also highlighted by the writer, thereby suggesting its scarcity.
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6. How many sub-topics will the essay cover? In what order would these subtopics appear in the essay? Why?
The introduction implies that it will address two subtopics: nuclear power and future oil replacement such as solar, wind, and wave power. These issues are stated as the most possible alternatives, and they will probably be examined in that order since they are given in declining order of perceived possibility, with nuclear power being mentioned first. The benefits, drawbacks, and prospects for each replacement to replace oil may be covered by the writer.
Exercise 2
Read the introduction below and answer the questions from Exercise 1.
Today’s world is commonly described as a ‘global village’, and the world is certainly a smaller place than it was a hundred years ago. Journeys that once took months can now be accomplished in a matter of hours, and countries that were distant dreams to our grandparents are now easily accessible holiday destinations. Tourism is currently the world’s fastest growing industry, with more people travelling for recreational purposes than ever before in human history (Franklin, 1999, p. 26). Tourism brings undeniable benefits, both to the travelers themselves and to the communities who live in popular holiday destinations. However, tourism can also do damage to local communities and their environment, and this essay will attempt to show that despite the financial and cultural benefits tourism can bring, its impacts are not as positive as is commonly assumed.
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1. What is the topic of the essay?
The essay's topic is tourism and its effects, with a focus on the advantages and disadvantages of tourism for the environment and the local community.
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2. Does the writer have an opinion on the topic? If yes, what?
Yes, the writer has a viewpoint on the subject. They claim that there are drawbacks to taking into account in addition to the generally accepted benefits of tourism.
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3. Which sentence gives you the main idea of the essay?
The phrase “this essay will attempt to show that, despite the potential financial and cultural benefits that tourism can bring, its impacts are not as positive as is commonly assumed” sums up the essay’s main idea.
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4. Does the introduction try to show you why the topic is important? If yes, how?
Yes, the introduction makes an attempt to explain why the topic is essential by mentioning the immense growth of the tourist sector and its effects on the globe as a "global village." It creates the framework for talking about how tourism has both good and bad consequences.
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5. What background information does the writer give about the topic?
The writer gives background information on the expansion of tourism, the ease of travel, and the idea that the world has become a "global village." This material helps in providing context for the topic of tourism's effects.
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6. How many sub-topics will the essay cover? In what order would these subtopics appear in the essay? Why?
The introduction makes reference to two major subtopics: the advantages of tourism (such as its economic and cultural contributions) and its drawbacks (likely on the environment and local populations). It is common in essays to begin with the good elements before addressing the bad ones in order to establish a balanced debate. However, the sequence in which these subtopics will emerge is not indicated clearly in the introduction. The article can thus begin by outlining the advantages of tourism before diving into its disadvantages.
Exercise 3
Read the following thesis statements and justify whether they are acceptable or not.
1. The status of women in China has changed remarkably in the last thirty years due to increased educational opportunities and the government’s one child policy.
The thesis statement is acceptable. It offers a specific subject (the changing position of women in China), names particular causes of the shift (such as better educational possibilities and the one-child policy), and establishes a claim that may be developed throughout the essay.
2. Life in Bhutan has become better and better for everyone under GNH and all the countries in the world are learning from us.
The thesis statement is not so acceptable. It makes a general assertion that Bhutan's quality of life would improve as a result of the Gross National Happiness (GNH) goal, but it offers no particular evidence or reasons to back up this claim. Furthermore, it is a broad assumption that would require strong proof to support the claim that "all the nations in the world are learning from us." As a result, this thesis statement is not particularly strong.
3. Global warming is a serious problem.
This thesis statement is acceptable. It makes a clear statement about the subject (global warming) and expresses a clear position by calling it a "serious problem." It is brief, but it also lays the groundwork for the essay's further examination of the subject.
4. The retreat of the Himalayan glaciers is likely to lead to severe water shortages, potentially threatening the economic and political stability of the entire region.
The thesis statement is acceptable. It analyses a particular problem (the disappearance of the Himalayan glaciers), predicts the results (serious water shortages), and emphasizes the potential effects on political and economic stability. It provides the essay a very clear emphasis.
5. There are arguments both in favour of and against the use of genetic engineering in food production.
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This thesis statement is acceptable since it admits that there are opposing viewpoints (arguments for and against the use of genetic engineering in food production), and it implies that the study will examine these viewpoints.
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6. The effects of the internet are enormous, and it has transformed business, social interaction and education in ways which are only beginning to be understood.
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This thesis statement is acceptable since it recognizes the importance of the impacts of the internet while also implying that these effects are not completely understood, indicating that the work will explore these effects and their consequences.
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7. This paper will review the history of the science of earthquake prediction, then discuss the major prediction methods in detail, and finally present data indicating the success- failure ratios of each method.
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This thesis statement is acceptable since it summarizes the paper's structure, suggesting that it will first examine the history of earthquake prediction, then describe main prediction methods, and lastly show success-failure ratios. However, it may need a little more clarity in terms of the scope and focus of the evaluation.
Exercise 4
Analyze them using the BUG method. Write thesis statements for the topics.
1. Discuss the nature and extent of the influence of Western culture on Bhutanese culture. Illustrate your answer with examples.
Thesis Statement: In recent decades, the effect of Western culture on Bhutanese culture has grown more obvious, affecting many aspects of Bhutanese society such as language, dress, entertainment, and food choices.
2. Evaluate the implementation of the GNH philosophy in Bhutan since the 1970s.
Thesis Statement: Bhutan's application of the Gross National Happiness (GNH) ideology has achieved tremendous gains in promoting holistic well-being, cultural preservation, and environmental protection since it began in the 1970s.
Exercise 5
Refer to the features of topic sentences and note whether the following are acceptable or not.
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1. A major benefit of genetic engineering.
~ Not Acceptable
2. Another potentially beneficial application of genetic engineering is in agriculture.
~ Acceptable
3. Medicine is another area where it is already having positive impacts.
~ Not Acceptable
4. On the other hand, many people consider genetic engineering to be an issue for concern because it may harm the environment, damage health, lead to unethical medical practice and change society in unforeseen ways.
~ Acceptable
5. There is concern among environmentalists that genetically modified crops will crossbreed with unmodified crops.
~ Acceptable
6. Some doctors and scientists have expressed concern about the effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on health.
~ Acceptable
7. There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that GM crops may bring greater benefits to multinational companies than to the poor farmers who purchase GM seeds
~ Acceptable
Exercise 6
Read four different conclusions I to IV given below and justify which of them are acceptable or not.
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I
One can see from these few examples the extent of Native American influence on the American language, art forms, eating habits and government. The American people are deeply indebted to Native American for their contributions to US culture.
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This is an acceptable conclusion. It summarizes the important themes discussed throughout the work and provides a clear and short conclusion by emphasizing Native American impact on many aspects of American society. It also conveys an attitude of gratitude, which is suitable.
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II
To conclude, youth problems are leading to negative impacts on the social and economic growth of the country. These emerging problems of youth in the country can be controlled and minimised through guidance and advice, value-based education and improved recreational facilities. The government should facilitate and plan social and economic frameworks that support youth and provide skills through training for entrepreneurship.
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This is an acceptable conclusion. It effectively summarizes the essay's essential themes and gives practical ideas for dealing with the issue of youth difficulties. It makes a strong call to action and offers viable answers.
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III
In conclusion, it is very difficult to say that there is one type of food in a great country like Britain. Every part of the country has its own special dishes based on produce and the tastes of that region. From the ancient Britons and the Romans, Saxon and Viking invasions to present- day immigrants, the cuisine of the UK continues to change with its changing population.
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This is an acceptable conclusion. It provides a brief summary of the essay's center issue, which is the diversity of British food. It is an acceptable conclusion since it gives historical background and acknowledges the effect of diverse cultures on British food.
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IV
There are many ways of creating energy apart from oil. However, each alternative has both advantages and disadvantages and, therefore, it is difficult for any single alternative to replace oil completely. Renewable are the best alternative, but as yet, they are meeting less than 20% of the world’s energy demands (REN21, 2008). This is a difficult situation and the world faces a serious energy crisis in the 21st century. However, if all the countries of the world join hands to solve the problem, a solution will be found.
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This is an acceptable conclusion. It properly summarizes the essay's essential ideas on energy alternatives and their limits. It also provides a clear review of the existing situation and the possibilities for a worldwide solution, making it an appropriate source of information.
Academic Essay Final Draft
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a new observant event that is bringing many adjustments and improvements to our daily life. It is a combination of human intelligence and computer intelligence. Sometimes it is also called as machine intelligence. AI has been evolved as an effective tool for smooth run and increase in productive. This evolution in AI has brought many changes to many different industries including education sector, arts and crafts and medicine. However, this fast improvement of AI will also cause many different possible dangers and risks. Even though AI has high capability for creative growth, problems together with unemployment, safety and economic inequality have to be carefully taken into consideration to make sure to use this technology responsibly (West & Allen, April 24, 2018).
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Over the past 10 years, AI is seen to be in great increase in investments. This improvement is also known as the "AI revolution". It is because of the advancement and the rapid change in AI technology. It probably led to the increase in investment within the field. The top companies including Amazon, Microsoft and Google are called as “Hyper-scalers” in the use of AI. Their capability for rapid growth in AI has attracted many investments to AI. Making an investment in these top performing cloud computing providers is taken into consideration as one of the most secure and best way to earn a money from AI. Furthermore, the implementation of AI into every software application has positive impact on financial increase rates including increase in productiveness, enhanced decision-making, and the capability to solve complicated problems (Macken, June 1, 2023).
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The main advantage of accelerating AI is the massive increase in efficiency and automation. The rapid growth of AI has improved business works across industries and changed many workplaces. As an example, AI is a big problem in the shaping of the manufacturing industries. It interprets information received from machines and people and uses a set of rules to improve performance and eliminate errors. With the help of deep learning algorithms for medical image analysis, AI can accurately diagnose diseases from medical images such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) and save the lives of people and also reduces the workload of health care workers. Similarly, the improvement of self-driving vehicles has the functionality to reduce accidents and improve standard road safety. AI tools are used for partnership and recommendation in transformational industries like artwork, where they have made it possible for new sorts of inventive expression (Rege & Yarmoluk, November 19, 2020).
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The improvement in AI not only has the capability to improve economies but it can also contribute solutions in combating climate change. It is predicted that before 2030, improvements associated with AI will increase North America’s GDP by $3.7 trillion (Jain, February 18, 2021). The rapid change has made some changes in business redundant but also resulted in introducing more job opportunities than its destruction. For instance, the commercial brought many changes in industries and employment opportunities. AI has already begun to make improvements in electric vehicles and smart electricity-efficient homes as a way to challenge climate change. These improvements are predicted to retain and although solving climate change is not much of a possibility, AI gives hope in addressing climate change challenges. In step with the lately published paper titled "Tackling Climate Change with Machine Learning", some approaches for AI to challenge climate change consists of improving predictions of electricity needs and minimizing higher power consumptions, decreasing limitations to electric vehicle adoption and optimizing supply chains to minimize inefficiencies and carbon emissions within the industry.
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However, there are many issues related to the rapid growth of AI technologies. One major challenge is the capability for AI to increase inequality. As AI advances, there may be a chance that a small number of agencies who own the AI models will get the financial benefits, leading to improved financial inequality. Economists are expecting that despite the fact that legislative remedies can address the problem, AI will increase economic inequality eventually.
AI in decision-making concerns people about the risks for bias. This is because AI algorithms are ordinarily trained on past information which might also comprise of biases and misconceptions. If these biases are not spoken, AI systems can continue and add to existing inequalities and discrimination. As a result, it's important to look into these biases so one can ensure honest and unbiased decision-making by AI.
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Ethical concerns also are a challenge. As AI systems turn out to be much of a self-reliant, there is a need to make certain that they do make ethical decisions and do not harm people or society. If an AI system makes a harmful or biased selection, it will raise concerns of liability and accountability as it can be difficult to assign responsibility for the actions and decisions done by AI systems. While AI can enhance productiveness and clear up problems, there is a risk of overreliance on AI-generated suggestions without serious human judgment. It is important to maintain a balance among the use of AI abilities and maintaining human oversight and decision-making (Montaka Global Investments, February 28, 2022).
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The ability of AI to access a large quantity of private information and records worries people about data privacy and its safety. If sensitive or personal information is mishandled or accessed by unauthorized companies, it can have serious effects for people and society as a whole. Meredith Whittaker, CEO of Signal, has some critical worries over the merging of AI and surveillance business models. She expressed how AI can be actively involved in intrusion using facial recognition software and the huge quantity of human labor that is going into growing AI, emphasizing the unpaid workers who support these systems. Whittaker discusses the adaptive privacy protections in the age of AI surveillance considering the privacy risks associated with AI’s information intake and data breaches. Strong data protection regulations and ethics requiring informed authorization and data privacy are much of a necessity in such situations. (Pahwa, October 4, 2023).
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Another problem of rapid growth in AI is the job loss and the salary deflation. This could bring changes in the labor market and effect the lifestyle of the workers. For example, works like transcribing and translating can be done easily by AI tools leading to job losses. Moreover, AI tools can enable new employees to perform at the same level of senior employees, which can also result in job losses for higher-skilled workers (“Motanka Global Investments,” 2023).
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A statement regarding the risks concerned by AI to human beings has been noted by many AI scientists and professionals, including the CEOs of top AI businesses in the world. The main concern is the development of super-intelligent AI that might lead to disastrous effects if not considered in line with human values. To illustrate some disastrous scenarios, AIs has the capability to be weaponized. Some of them are used to create destructive chemical weapons that could bring humanity into extinction. It can be seen that increased development of AI will gradually surpass, outsmart, and sooner or later replace humans. The threats that AI may present to humans and potential solutions are the concern of people using AI. These risks associated with AI extends beyond the possibility that AI will turn against humans same as those science fiction films portray. This also have to be done with the accountability of people and companies that design, develop, and enforce AI systems (Perrigo, May 30, 2023).
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The rapid development of AI technology gives many advantages, but also raises some risks and challenges that needs cautious control. Risks including job loss, information privacy violation, economic inequality and moral issues about safety and responsibility are sure to be seen in the near future. Even at the same time it also has the potential to save lives, boost economies, and combat climate change. It is important that we maintain balance between technological advancement and obligation to ensure its safe implements into various sectors. Ethical and responsible actions are important to fully realize its potential while safeguarding humanity from unintended effects. We can do this by enacting sensible legal guidelines, upholding moral standards, and resolving these issues with a willpower to ensuring that AI advances humanity rather than posing an existential threat.
References:
Jain, P. (2021, February 18). AI and the future of work in the United States. American University. https://www.american.edu/sis/centers/security-technology/ai-and-the-future-of-work-in-the-united-states.cfm
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Macken, A. (2023, June 1). The AI revolution: Addressing 10 vital questions for investors. Montaka Global Investments. https://montaka.com/ai-qna-uncovering-implications/
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Montaka Global Investments. (2022, February 28). Whitepaper: Why epoch-defining AI is today’s most important investment theme (and the safest way to profit). In Montaka’s, The Amazing Hyperscalers: Why epoch-defining AI is today’s most important investment theme https://montaka.com/whitepaper-why-ai-is-the-most-important-investment-theme/
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Pahwa, N. (2023, October 4). AI, a derivative of the surveillance business model: In conversation with signal president Meredith Whittaker. Medianama. https://www.medianama.com/2023/10/223-ai-surveillance-conversation-signal-meredith-whittaker/#:~:text=AI%2C%20A%20Derivative%20Of%20The,competition%20in%20a%20comprehensive%20discussion.
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Perrigo, B. (2023, May 30). AI is as risky as pandemics and nuclear war, top CEOs say, urging global cooperation. Time. https://time.com/6283386/ai-risk-openai-deepmind-letter/
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Rege, M. & Yarmoluk, D. (2020, November 19). Artificial intelligence and its impact on jobs. Newsroom: University of St. Thomas. https://news.stthomas.edu/artificial-intelligence-and-its-impact-on-jobs/
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West, D.M. & Allen, J.R. (2018, April 24). How artificial intelligence is transforming the world. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-the-world/
UNIT VI: APA Referencing Styles
Exercise 1
1. What are sources?​
~ Source is the text or other work that provides the information that is being used.
2. What does citing your source mean?
~ Citing your source means to mention the source with information provided about the source.
Exercise 2
There are many different ways of using information in students’ essays and reports at university. If students do the following things in writing, do they need to cite a source?
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1. You use sentences or phrases that are exactly the same as those of a source you read. Yes/No
2. You use information that you knew without reading a source. Yes/No
3. You use information that you read in a book, but you express it in your own words. Yes/No
4. You use data or facts that you read in a source. Yes/No
5. You use opinions that you read in a source and that you agree with. Yes/No
6. You use graphs, drawings and photographs from the internet. Yes/No
7. You use information that is general knowledge. Yes/No
8. You use figures that you know and did not find in a source. Yes/No
9. The Indian population stood at 1,139,964,932 in 2008. Yes/No
10. The human population has passed 6 billion. Yes/No
Exercise 3
Read the text below and decide how many different ‘voices’ are speaking.
It is vital for university students to cite the sources they have used in their essays. Firstly, citing protects them from being accused of plagiarism, which is defined as “taking another person’s words or ideas and using them as if they were your own” (Gillet, 2010). Plagiarism is a serious offence, but as Daler (2008) points out, it is often accidental, a result of the failure to understand academic rules. In 2008, over 17 students were expelled from one British university for plagiarism (Smith, 2009), which shows how serious the consequences of plagiarism can be.
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There are all three voices which are the author’s voice, direct voice and indirect voice.
Author’s voice - The first and the fourth sentence is in the author’s voice.
Direct voice - Sentence two, since it's a direct quote which is said by Gillet as given above with citation.
Indirect voice - Sentence three states a statement said by Daler in a summarized and paraphrase way including the citation.
Exercise 4
1. What three types of ‘voices’ are used in academic writing?
~ The three types of voices are;
1.Author’s Voice
2.Direct Voice
3.Indirect Voice
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2. How do students show in their writing that they are using their own ideas and words?
~ Write statements as an opinion without any citation.
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3. How do students show in their writing they are using another author’s ideas but reporting the ideas in their own words?
~ Write the statement in indirect voice either by summarizing or paraphrasing the idea and cite the source.
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4. How do students show in their writing that they are using the exact words of a source?
~ Write the statement in direct voice where the statement is exactly the same as stated by the writer in the source with the citation at the end of the sentence.
Exercise 5
Write sentences that present the information below using first a direct voice, then an indirect voice.
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I
One of its engineering chiefs announced that it would soon add support to the operating system
to allow other manufactures to create foldable phones of their own.
Author: Leo Kelion
Title of the article: Samsung folding smartphone revealed to developers
Title of the Newspaper: The BBC
Date of publication: 7 November 2018
Page number: First paragraph
Website address: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-46130071
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Direct Voice:
Kelion (2018, para. 1) observes, “Our company will soon support the operating system to allow other manufactures to create foldable phones of their own.” said one of the chief engineering chiefs. (in text)
Kelion, L. (2018, Nov 7). Samsung folding smartphone revealed to developers. The BBC. para.1. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-46130071 (end text)
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Indirect Voice:
Kelion notes that one of the engineering chiefs announced that it would soon add support to the operating system to allow other manufactures to create foldable phones of their own. (2018, para.1).
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II
Most international students need to write essays and reports for exams and coursework, but writing good academic English is one of the most demanding tasks students
Author: Stephen Bailey
Title of the book: Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students
Edition series: 4th edition
Year of publication: 2015
Page number: 2
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
Location of publication: London, UK
Direct Voice:
As Bailey (2015, p.2) observes, "Most international students need to write essays and reports for exams and coursework, but writing good academic English is one of the main tasks students face.” (in text)
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Bailey, S. (2015). Academic writing: A handbook for international students. (4th ed., p.2)London: Taylor & Francis Ltd (end text)
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Indirect Voice:
Bailey states that most international students need to write essays and reports for exams and coursework, but writing good academic English is one of the main tasks students face (2015, p.1).
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III
Definitions of a ‘task’, while varied, usually stress that tasks are activities that focus learner attention on the communication of meanings.
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Author: Jeremy S Boston
Title of the article: Pre-task syntactic priming and focused task design
Title of the journal: ELT Journal
Date of publication: 2 April 2010
Volume number: 64
Page number: 165
Direct Voice:
Boston (April 2, 2010, vol.64, p.165) observes, "Definition of a ‘task’ varies, but they usually stress that tasks are activities that focus learner attention on communication of meanings.” (in text)
Boston, J.S. (2010, April 2). Pre-task syntactic priming and focused task design. ELT Journal, 64,165
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Indirect Voice:
Boston states that the definition of a ‘task’ , while varied, usually stresses that tasks are activities that focus learner attention on communication of meanings (2010, p.165).
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Exercise 6
If a reader wants to find the sources used in an essay, he or she will need more information than simply the last name of the author and the publication date. For this reason, the writer uses references at the end of academic writing. This gives the full details of all the sources one has used in writing.
Look at the references below and then discuss the questions with a partner.
1. Why are these five sources put in this order – Anderson first, and Brint second?
~ It is because while referencing we follow alphabetical order, that is why Anderson is first followed by Brint.
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2. What five pieces of information must you include when you cite a book?
~ The information that should be included are, Author’s name, date of publication, title of the book,volume number/page number and URL.
3. What parts of an author’s name do you include in references? What order do you put these parts in?
~ Author’s last name is included in the references in an alphabetical order.
4. How do you indicate the title of the book or web page?
~ When indicating the title, it should be italicized
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5. What should you do if your reference information takes up more than one line?
~ If the reference information is more than one line, after writing the first line, the second line be indented but the following line after that line should not be indented.
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6. What information do you need to include about an internet source?
~ The URL of the site, publication date, title of the webpage and name of the website.
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7. What spacing is used for references: single, 1.5 or double spacing?
~ We use 1.5 spacing for referencing.
UNIT VII: Oral Presentation
Oral Presentation Slide on Benefits of Online Gaming
My presentation will be about the Benefits of Online Gaming.
What is Gaming? Gaming means usually playing video games for fun. Some people play on game console, computer, or phones.
Online Gaming means when you play games with other people on the internet. You can play together or against each other.
To move on with the benefits, first of all, the Cognitive Benefit.
Online Gaming isn't just fun, it can also make us to think critically, solve problems, and make decisions.
For example, strategy games like DOTA and COC challenge us to make complex decisions in order to win.
Second benefit is Social Benefits.
Another great thing about Online Gaming is that it can help us connect with other people. Many games allow us to play with others online, which can help us build teamwork and communication skills.
Games like PUBG and MLBB are especially good for this because they require players to work together to win.
Third benefit is Stress Relief.
Online Gaming can also help us relax and relieve stress. Studies have shown that gaming can take our minds off of our problems and help us feel more relaxed.
Games like Alto's Odyssey and Monument Valley are especially good for this because they are peaceful and calming.
Fourth is Creativity Enhancement.
Online Gaming can also help us be more creative.
Games like Minecraft allow us to build and create anything we can imagine.
This can help us to think more creatively and solve problems in new ways.
Fifth is Learning Opportunities.
There are also educational games and simulations that can teach us new things.
For example, games like Kerbal Space Program teach us about physics and engineering concepts.
Code Monkey teach us some basics of coding.
Online Gaming is fun but it's important to remember that online gaming should be enjoyed in moderation.
Just like any other activity, too much of gaming can be bad for us. It's important to set time limits and make sure that gaming doesn't interfere with our other responsibilities.
The skills learned from gaming can be used in real life.
For example, the problem solving skills and teamwork skills we learn in games can be helpful at work and in our personal lives.
Some games can improve our hand - eye coordination and cognitive functions.
However, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle overall.
This means eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly.
To conclude, Online Gaming can be a positive and enriching activity when enjoyed responsibly. It can help us to be smarter, more social, more creative, and more well-rounded individuals.
