2.1 – Understanding assessment tasks Exercise 1 In which criteria will your use of SED structure be graded? SED will be graded as part of the Structure criteria. For ‘Structure’, what is the difference between a distinction and a merit? Logical connection of paragraphs (perhaps through the use of concluding sentences). SED used for every idea in the essay. If you scored 55% for ‘Use of evidence’, what could you have done to raise the score to a merit? Use less quotations (try to paraphrase or summaries evidence). Provide at least one in every paragraph. For ‘Spelling and grammar’, what is the difference between a pass and a fail? Both state there are many errors, but a passing essay would still be understandable to some extent. A failing essay would be very difficult to understand, requiring the reader to do a lot of guessing. Exercise 2 Social media has become an essential communication tool for most major companies. However, its use can be both beneficial and detrimental. Evaluate the consequences companies may face by holding a social media presence. ‘Social media’ and ‘companies’ are the subject / focus words. ‘Evaluate’ is the task word – which requires you to look at both the positive and negative aspects of companies using social media. Then reach an informed decision on whether companies should be encouraged to use social media or not. 2.2 – Creating new ideas Exercise 1 (example answer) argument
2.3 – Planning an academic paper Exercise 1 (example answers) When students attend university, they develop in many different ways. Their attitude, personality traits, and habits are all affected by this move from high school into higher education. Illustrate three ways in which students change while studying at university. ‘Students’, ‘university’, ‘develop/change’, ‘attitude’, ‘personality traits’, and ‘habits’ could all be considered subject/focus words. Furthermore, the topic is further limited by providing you with a request for only ‘three ways’ in which students change. ‘Illustrate’ is the task word – Use evidence/examples to present a clear picture of the subject in your reader’s mind. Brainstorm example: Three chosen ideas Students are required to manage their own time. A level of independence is developed during university. Internal motivation is necessary to be successful on any course. Three examples for chosen ideas Meeting deadlines – by making a schedule and understanding consequences. Taking care of finances – Creating a budget and/or taking on a part time job. Covering the cost of course fees. Less guidance from tutors – No direct instructions for passing assignments. Requirement for pre-view, review, and reading around the subject.
5.1 – Topic sentences Exercise 1 To be an effective group member requires excellent communication skills. How to be an ‘effective group member’, and why it is important, is likely to be the topic of this essay. ‘Communication skills’ is the controlling idea for the paragraph. All potential risks need evaluating before any investment decision. What steps are required when making ‘investment decisions’ is likely to be the topic of this essay. ‘Evaluating potential risks’ is the controlling idea for the paragraph. Lowering the drinking age limit will have noticeable effects on crime rates. What effects are caused by changing the ‘drinking age limit’, and in this particular case, the topic relates to ‘lowering’ the age limit. ‘Crime rates’ is the controlling idea for the paragraph. However, the argument could be made for ways to reduce ‘crime rates’ (making this the topic) and changing the ‘drinking age limit’ will contribute to this (thus, becoming a controlling idea). This shows that looking at a topic sentence alone does not always provide a clear picture – the thesis statement is quite essential to ensure clarity (and cohesion). Identity fraud is one of the most significant threats to the online shoppers. The negative aspects of ‘online shopping’ is likely to be the topic of this essay. ‘Identity fraud’ is the controlling idea for the paragraph. Exercise 2 (example answers) Paragraph 2 – Topic sentence Excessive access to technology has caused a rise in both physical and mental bullying amongst children. Paragraph 3 – Topic sentence Children that rely on technology have become increasingly disrespectful towards strangers in the community.
Patented the telephone in 1876. This made Graham Bell very rich and seen by many as the true inventor. Extract 2 Capturing digital photography has come a long way in the past thirty years, from Nikon unleashing the very first DSLR camera during the 1980s, to the devices that are now common place due to their portability, images and low prices (Barnes, 2018). NOTES BASED ON ORIGINAL 1986 the first DSLR (by Nikon) was released > ten years until consumer product > twenty years until a common and less expensive product (thirty years total). Now less bulky (portable) and higher quality images. Further notes For both example summaries above, you may feel that some important details are missing from the original extract. However, what information you decide to keep will depend on how you plan to use the evidence in your paper. 9.5 – Quotations Exercise 1 (Examples) The fashion industry has adopted the idea of ‘fast fashion’ for several reasons. Primarily, “to boost sales and keep their clients entertained.” (Barnes, 2018) These poor working conditions have led to horrific accidents. In Bangladesh, one incident resulted in “1,134 people” losing their life “due to structural failure in a garments factory.” (Barnes, 2018) Furthermore, the fashion industry blindly ignores the use of child labour. UNICEF (2017 as cited in Barnes, 2018) claimed that “over 150 million children are working in the fashion manufacturing industry worldwide”. Additionally, these workshops encourage the practice of ‘soft slavery’. Barnes (2018) describes this as keeping people “indebted to third parties for securing them jobs in garment factories” by “giving away most of their small earnings to pay off that debt that will never end.”