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Unit of study_

WRIT5002: Writing a Thesis 2: The Middle Chapters

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit aims to foster the thesis writing and English language skills of Arts and Social Sciences students who are writing postgraduate theses. As the sequel to 'Writing a thesis chapter: Starting a thesis', it further supports students with their own writing by focusing on the middle chapters (or components) of the thesis, specifically theoretical frameworks, methodology, background chapters, main chapters and discussions. The course will be particularly useful for students who need to develop their English language proficiency and/or understanding of the requirements of thesis writing in English.

Unit details and rules

Unit code WRIT5002
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Bronwen Dyson, bronwen.dyson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Mini assessment task 1: An Introduction paragraph to a middle chapter
Draft/ revise an Introduction paragraph to a middle chapter.
4% Week 04
Due date: 30 Aug 2021 at 23:59
400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO1 LO5
Assignment Mini assessment task 2: A critical, well-structured paragraph of the Body
Draft/ revise a critical, well-structured paragraph
4% Week 05
Due date: 06 Sep 2021 at 23:59
400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO2
Assignment Mini assessment task 3: A conclusion paragraph to a middle chapter
Draft/ revise a conclusion paragraph to a middle chapter
4% Week 06
Due date: 13 Sep 2021 at 23:59
400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Assignment Mini assessment task 4: Review your peer’s writing & post your draft writing
Review your peer’s writing and post your writing
4% Week 06
Due date: 15 Sep 2021 at 09:00
400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO7
Assignment Assignment 1: Section of a middle chapter
Draft/ revise a section of a middle chapter
35% Week 07
Due date: 20 Sep 2021 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO5
Assignment Mini assessment task 5: Review your peer’s writing & post your draft writing (2)
Review your peer’s writing & post your draft writing
4% Week 10
Due date: 20 Oct 2021 at 23:59
400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO7
Assignment Assignment 2: An expanded chapter draft
Expand the main chapter
45% Week 12
Due date: 01 Nov 2021 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

  1. For Mini assessment task 1, students should write a 400 Introduction paragraph to a chapter or section of a middle chapter of their thesis, with an argument and clear structure. 
  2. For Mini assessment task 2 students should write a 400 paragraph of a chapter or section of a middle chapter of their thesis, with a good structure and critical evaluation in the concluding sentence/s.
  3. For Mini assessment task 3 students should write a 400 Conclusion paragraph to a chapter or section of a middle chapter of their thesis, with an argument and clear structure.
  4. For Mini assessment task 4 students should provide a review of their peer’s 1500 draft section, using the MASUS wriitng critieria, and post their own 1500 draft section.
  5. For Mini assessment task 5 students should provide a review of their peer’s 2500 draft section, using the MASUS wriitng critieria, and post their own 2500 draft section.
  6. For Assignment 1, students should write a 1500 draft section of a middle chapter of their thesis with an Introduction paragraph, a well-structured and critical Body and a Conclusion.
  7. For Assignment 2, students should extend Assignment 1 by writing a 2500 draft section of a middle chapter of their thesis with an Introduction paragraph, a well-structured and critical Body and a Conclusion.

Assessment criteria

Results given for all assignments are either Pass or Fail, i.e., no mark or grade is assigned.
A Pass will be awarded if students show that they have:
(1) Correctly interpreted the instructions for the assignment.
(2) Completed the assignment to the best of their ability.
(3) Submitted the assignment.
A Fail will be awarded if students show that they have:
(1) Incorrectly interpreted the instructions for the assignment.
(2) Not completed the assignment to the best of their ability.
(3) Not submitted the assignment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Students must inform the coordinator if their work will be late and negotiate a reasonable extension.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the course: Overview, students' goals, the Empirical – Humanities continuum in middle chapters, including in thesis outlines Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 02 Writing your theoretical framework: Thesis argument, theoretical framework/ concepts and critical evaluation Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Writing your theoretical framework: Argument about the framework/ concepts, necessary background and ways to introduce the framework Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 04 Writing about your methodology: Thesis argument, argument about the methodology, and ways to describe and justify your methodology in critical, well-structured paragraphs Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 05 Writing about your methodology: Methodological components, elaborating one-paragraph sections and ways to conclude the methodology Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 06 Writing groups: Round 1 Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Writing about your findings: Thesis argument, the argument of one chapter of findings and the description and illustration of the findings Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 08 Writing about your findings: Critical analysis and explanation and discussion of the findings in a clear style Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Library skills development and/or "shut up and write" session Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO7
Week 10 Writing groups: Round 2 Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Overview of writing the middle chapters Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Wrap up of the unit and meeting of students and supervisors Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance is required at all sessions. Please let the coordinator know in advance if you need to be absent from class and provide a medical certificate for illness or evidence of academic participation (e.g. conference, field study).

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Prescribed reading

Paltridge, B., and Starfield, S., (2007). Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language: a handbook for supervisors. Routledge, New York. (P&R) Available from Fisher as a downloadable e-book

Suggested readings
Alana, J. E. (2014). Writing your doctoral dissertation or thesis faster: a proven map to success. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.


Bonanno, H., and Jones, J., (2007). Measuring the Academic Skills of University Students: The MASUS procedure, a diagnostic assessment. Sydney: University of Sydney. http://sydney.edu.au/stuserv/documents/learning_centre/MASUS.pdf


Hart, C., (1998). Doing a Literature Review: releasing the social science research imagination. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.


Joyner, R. L. (2013). Writing the winning thesis or dissertation : a step-by-step guide.Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.


Lunenburg, F. (2008). Writing a successful thesis or dissertation : tips and strategies for students in the social and behavioral sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Write a good draft of one of the middle chapters of your thesis, specifically the theoretical framework, methodology or findings/ main chapter.
  • LO2. Think and write critically in order to create new ways of understanding.
  • LO3. Display familiarity with and discuss the literature on your topic.
  • LO4. Write in a manner appropriate to the disciplinary or inter-disciplinary nature of your thesis.
  • LO5. Write in English with a clear and appropriate structure, referencing, style, grammar and presentation.
  • LO6. Provide feedback on thesis writing and revise writing in response to feedback.
  • LO7. Use resources which develop thesis writing skills in English, including a good model of a thesis, The Write Site, the MASUS (Measuring the Academic Skills of University Students) writing criteria and library training in literature searches.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

While this is the first time this unit has been offered, changes have been made in response to student feedback on the course which preceded this unit - Writing a thesis chapter 2.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.