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Online Study Skills Hub: Resit Toolkit

Competencies essential for academic and professional success

Resit Toolkit introduction

The Resit Toolkit is a resource designed to help university students at all levels to prepare for and successfully complete resit exams or assignments. It provides guidance, strategies, and tools specifically tailored to address the challenges of redoing an assessment.

The resit toolkit examines three key areas:

1)Referencing and Plagiarism

2)Essay Writing

3)Exam Preparation

Before you begin your submission:

You must: 

  • Revisit all feedback you have received
  • Revisit course materials and undertake any readings and/or learning that you have missed
  • Check your assignment instructions and assessment criteria, as well as resubmission instructions and deadline 
  • Seek advice from your module convenor and personal tutor

Referencing and Plagiarism

It is Important to Remember: 

In your essay you need to use ideas/theories/arguments from a variety of sources to:

  • Show that you understand the arguments and the value of other contributions in the area of research.
  • Demonstrate that you have fully researched the subject.
  • Demonstrate that you can discuss your opinion/argument in relation to a variety of sources.
  • These sources MUST be acknowledged in line with the criteria of your   programme. 

 

What is Plagiarism?

  •  Plagiarism is when you copy someone else’s  work or use their ideas in your essay, course work, thesis etc., and then do not acknowledge that you have done this.
  •    It is an offence to plagiarise and could lead to programme termination (see academic regulations).
  •   You must acknowledge an idea is not your own   even if you do not quote the person directly
  •   You must list all sources in your cited references list/bibliography.

 

Checklist

  • Do I know which referencing style I need to use: Harvard,   APA, Chicago, MLA or Humanities Guide?
  • I know how to quote, paraphrase or summarise work
  • I have inserted the in-text references(citations) into my  work correctly – directly after the ideas to which they refer. 
  • I have used inverted commas around words that have been   taken directly from the source – quotations
  • I have paraphrased appropriately and used quotes sparingly.

  • I have included a complete reference listor bibliography for my assignment, organised alphabetically by the surname of the first author. 

  • I have used the correct format of referencing in the reference list or bibliography for my source (e.g. a book, website or journal article).

 

Essay Writing

It is Important to:

1. Analyse the question

2. Make a mind map

3. Write a plan/outline

4. Gather information

5. Write your first draft

6. Proofread and edit

7. Write your final draft

 

Essay and Paragraph Formations

Essay formation:
  • Introduction (10% word count)
  • Several body paragraphs, depending on word count
  • Conclusion (10% word count)

 

Paragraph formation:

Each paragraph should be its own mini essay and follow the 1-2-3 format:

1. Topic Sentence/Argument (Introduction)

2. Evidence (Body)

3. Significance of evidence or claim. 

4. Link back to the original question (Conclusion)

 

Link: Reading and note taking 

Link: Guide to how to plan and approach Academic Writing

Link: Developing your argument            

Link: Paraphrasing and Summarising

Link: Referencing and Academic Integrity 

 

Checklist

  • I have begun at least 2 weeks before the deadline to begin planning and writing it
  • I have analysed and broken down the question, so I understand it
  • I brainstormed the essay topic and created a mind map
  • I worked out how many paragraphs I need, based on the word count
  • I ensured that each paragraph is like a mini-essay with a topic, an introductory statement, a body (evidence) and a conclusion

  • I completed my first draft
  • I proofread my essay twice – once for meaning and once for spelling, punctuation and grammar
  • I looked on Moodle and found out where I need  to submit my essay
  • I have submitted my essay as per my department’s instructions

 

Exam Preparation

It is Important to Remember:

  • Before you begin revising, try to create yourself a revision timetable and then make sure you stick to this as much as possible.
  • Follow the SQP4 Model for revision:  Survey, Question, Predict, Plan, Prepare and Practice.

 

Multiple Choice Questions

  • Read the question carefully 
  • Before reading the options, what is your first instinct?
  • Some questions will be fairly easyto answer: answer those first to give you confidence.
  • Check everything has been answered and then STOP! Try not to second guess yourself.

 

Short Answer Questions

  • Look over the whole paper and give the questions a ‘can do’ rating. Check the marks allocated.
  • Start with a question you can do well.
  • Read all parts of the question so you know where it is heading (paying attention to any units, statistics, diagrams, extracts and the context).
  • Answer, remaining with  the timing you worked out beforehand. Move on – don’t get carried away by writing too much.
  • If you have time left over: Return to any incomplete questions. 
  • Proofread your answers for mistakes.

 

Essay and Long Answers 

Remember to plan short answers and essays before writing the answer – including an introduction, a few body paragraphs and a conclusion. 

1: look at the question carefully.

2: briefly list key points.

3: work this into a plan (outline).

4: flesh out to add extra details (facts, theories).

5: begin writing your answer

6: proofread.

 

Checklist 

Survey: I have -

  • Read the course aims and learning outcomes.
  • Found and analysed past exam papers.
  • The paper is ____ hours and I will have to answer ___ questions.
  • I am aware of the topics that are likely to be covered.
  • Question: I have –
  • Thought about my programme
  • I need to know _______________________
  • I need to learn ____________________

 

Prepare: I have – 

  • Gone through my exam folders and notes and have prepared condensed notes of everything I need to remember
  • Memorised my key points charts/mind maps
  • Recited my key points onto a recorder
  • Tested myself 
  • Reviewed my index cards with key points drawn on them
  • Drawn up a revision timetable and am following the schedule

 

Practicing: I am practicing –

  • Positive thinking
  • Brainstorming and planning answers
  • A plan for my essay questions ahead of time
  • Writing sample answers with notes
  • Writing sample answers without notes
  • I am ready and confident!
 
LINKS