Outline

Overview

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

Academic unit	English and Writing
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Bronwen Dyson, bronwen.dyson@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Assignment 1: Section of a middle chapter Draft / revise a section of a middle chapter	30%	Week 06 Due date: 10 Sep 2025 at 23:59	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Mini assessment task 1: Review your peer’s writing & post your draft writing (1500 words) Review your peer’s writing and post your writing (1500 words)	5%	Week 06 Due date: 10 Sep 2025 at 09:00	Equivalent to 250 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Mini assessment task 2: Review your peer’s writing & post your draft writing (3000 words) Review your peer’s writing & post your draft writing (3000 words)	5%	Week 12 Due date: 29 Oct 2025 at 09:00	Equivalent to 250 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Oral presentation on the expanded chapter draft A 10 minute oral presentation	20%	Week 13 Due date: 05 Nov 2025 at 09:00	Equivalent to 1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assignment 2: An expanded chapter draft Expand the main chapter draft	40%	Week 13 Due date: 05 Nov 2025 at 23:59	3000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

For Mini assessment task 1 students should write a 250 word review of their peer’s 1500 word draft section, using the unit's writing critieria, and post their own 1500 word draft section.
For Mini assessment task 2 students should write a 250 word review of their peer’s 3000 word draft section, using the unit's writing critieria, and post their own 3000 word draft section.
For Assignment 1, students should write a 1500 word section of a middle chapter of their thesis, consisting of an Introduction paragraph/s, a well-structured and critical Body and a Conclusion.
For Assignment 2, students should expand on Assignment 1 by adding 3000 new words of one or more sections of a middle chapter of their thesis, consisting of an Introduction paragraph/s, a well-structured and critical Body and a Conclusion.
For Assignment 3 (Oral Presentation), students should give a 10 minute oral presentation (which is equivalent to 1000 words) on the expanded (thesis) chapter draft.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the course: Overview, students' goals, AI, threshold concepts and Empirical – Humanities continuum	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Adding argument and structure to your research writing. Your task: An introduction to a chapter	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Adding theory to your research writing. Your task: Two paragraphs from the Body of a chapter	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Adding analysis to your research writing. Your task: A conclusion or summary	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Adding knowledge creation to your research writing. Your tasks: 1) a paragraph that summarizes and exemplifies an original argument, concept, method or finding and 2) peer reviewing	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Peer review and writing groups: Round 1	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Extending the argument in your research writing. Your task: Drafting an argument about a specific chapter and keywords for examination or publication	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Extending the theory in your research writing. Your task: Drawing and describing a model for examination or publication	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Extending the analysis in your research writing: Your task: Creating and describing a figure/table on one aspect of your method for examination or publication	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Extending knowledge creation to your research writing. Your tasks: 1) Creating a table of one result and asking questions about that result for examination or publication and 2) peer reviewing	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Peer review and writing groups: Round 2	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Oral presentations and discussion about outcomes	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)

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., (2020). 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

Readings relevant to each weekly topic will be presented in the weekly modules on the Canvas site.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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.
LO8. Give an oral presentation on your expanded chapter draft, which addresses the criteria of the unit.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

1. Supervisors from across the empirical humanities continuum will be invited to provide input into the seminars. 2. Other changes have been made to the materials in the Canvas site.

Additional information

An excellent, chapter by chapter outline of a thesis/ dissertation

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

WRIT5002: Writing a Thesis 2: The Middle Chapters

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links