This document provides an overview of an academic development presentation on writing basics. It includes an agenda with sections on language, writing, representing information, introductions, plagiarism and referencing. The presentation aims to introduce resources and strategies to help students develop their writing abilities. It encourages exploring language and terminology from one's discipline. A video on writing introductions is referenced. The document lists writing center contact details and consultation options to assist with writing.

1. Gino Fransman
gino.fransman@nmmu.ac.za
Academic Development Professional
Academic Literacies and Writing
Centre for Teaching Learning & Media (CTLM)
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)
NMMU, Missionvale Campus, Senate Hall: Academic Development Day – 4 AUG 2015
Back to Basics
Writing

2. best
the
be

3. 1. Introduction
2. Language andYou
LanguageToday:Txting is Killing Language
3. Are youWriting?
Representing Units of Information
a) Remember the first time
b) Help fromTechnology
4. Introductions
5. Plagiarism and Referencing
6. Help is Nearby
Today’s Plan:

4. Feel free to go online and visit resources referred to during the session
The aim is not to suggest that after this 1,5 hour session,
you will be a better writer. But: I bet you’ll think about it more constructively.
Instead, the aim is to introduce resources and strategies to assist you
developing your writing abilities.As this is an introduction, you should
explore related materials located on the link pages provided.They take you
much further.
Please note down questions you may have during any screened video clips
for afterward.
1. Introduction

5. 2. Language and You

6. The discipline you teach has its own Discourse (Gee,1992)
Discourse, in this sense, is a “socially recognised way
of using language, as well as ways of thinking,
believing, feeling, valuing, acting/doing” that
identify us as belonging to a recognised social group
(Knobel & Lankshear, 2007)
Academic Disciplines and
Discourses

7. Let’s watch...
‘Does texting mean the death of good writing skills?
John McWhorter posits that there’s much more to
texting — linguistically, culturally — than it seems,
and it’s all good news.’
http://www.ted.com/playlists/117/words_words_words
John McWhorter
Txtng is killing language

8. 3. Are You Writing?

9. ◦ Do you write?
 How?
 Where?
 What?
 Why?
 When?
Think about -
 “When I said it at school” vs “When I say it at university”
 Expectations from HE
 Your current skill set and writing demands ahead

10. o Learn to speak the language of YOUR discipline
o Make learning this language a daily exercise
o Just a FEW goodies at a time, think of it like gym for words
o Include instructional terms like ‘describe’, ‘compare’, ‘discuss’...
o Prioritise content terms, or jargon, so you know what you are
saying, and become able to confidently use the right terminology
o Evaluate the terms, take 15 minute self-tests across the day
o Here’s one way to try out for yourself, and also to share with others.

11. Terms
Instructional & Content
Definitions (only from the
prescribed readings or
research!)
Terms Definitions (only from the
prescribed readings or
research!)
1. Define 1. state or describe
exactly the nature,
scope, or meaning of.
"the contract will seek
to define the client's
obligations"
1. Define. 1.
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
____
2. Photosynthesis 2. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx
2. Photosynthesis 2.
__________________
__________________
____________
15. xxxxxx 15. xxxxxxx 15. xxxxxxx 15. ____________
Making a terminology test table: PRACTICAL
Master copy Copies x1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 15 minute tests

12. Write.
RE:presenting Units of
Information
Writing at School –
Revisiting the Basics - A Practical Exercise
The Difference at University –
Revisiting the Basics – AVideo Guide

13. Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tv2-lXHfAI
How to Write an Introduction Paragraph
Taylor and Mindy Swedberg
Introduction Paragraphs

14. Taking the
Basic Structure Further

15. Plagiarism and Referencing
Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEeTSaxCEQg
Academic Writing
Plagiarism and Referencing
Richard Galletly
Take Notes!
This video is available as part of a collection of shared open educational resources
for the FAVOR project and available in languagebox.ac.uk/profile/1239.

16. What are your
questions about
plagiarism and
referencing?

17.  Go and investigate options, be proactive.
 Amongst options available to you at NMMU
Writing Respondents and draft writing
www.writing.nmmu.ac.za
Process of submitting draft writing to the Writing Centre
http://forms.nmmu.ac.za/writingcentre/registration/
 Select the correct campus, and fill in all the sections.
 Currently in 2015, there isn’t someone on North Campus.

18. Linda.Mostert@nmmu.ac.za
Or
Shena.Lamb@nmmu.ac.za
Supporting educators with writing &
strategies to develop writing
Try consulting?

19. Missionvale
Wednesday consultations from 2:30 – 4:30pm for students
Email: s214271218@live.nmmu.ac.za Noloyiso Mpati
Request to book group, staff or student presentations via
gino.fransman@nmmu.ac.za
South Campus
Gino Fransman
Room 10LG14,Tel: (041) 504 2927
Email: Gino.Fransman@nmmu.ac.za
Linda Mostert
Room 10LG12, Tel: (041) 504 2686
Email: Linda.Mostert@nmmu.ac.za
2nd Avenue Campus
Shena Lamb
410-015,Tel: (041) 504 3773
Email: Shena.Lamb@nmmu.ac.za
Our website: www.writing.nmmu.ac.za
19
Where we are

20. gino.fransman@nmmu.ac.za
Twitter: @ginofransman
Visit
Academic Literacy Development Scoopit Site
http://www.scoop.it/t/academic-literacy-development
21st Century Graduate Literacies Scoopit Site
http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-graduate-literacies
Back to Basics- Writing by Gino Fransman is licensed under a
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