Modern Languages
Study Skills
Dr Helen Abbott and Dr Anna Saunders
Study Skills





How Things Work in Bangor
General Skills for Linguists
Preparing Written Language Work
Preparing Oral Presentations
Essay Writing
How Things Work in Bangor




Attendance: Classes begin at 10 minutes past the hour &
attendance is compulsory (registers are taken)
Absence: let the lecturer know in advance if possible
(email is best) & catch up on missed work
Deadlines: if you are unable to submit work on time,
request an extension in advance (see lecturer in person)
Email etiquette: When emailing lecturers, use
appropriate language (not “hi there”…)
General Skills for Linguists



Take notes in all types of classes (conversation,
grammar, listening etc.) and keep them organised
Keep a notebook for new vocabulary and review it each
week
Maintain your Self-Study Portfolio




Use the SML DVD library (Moira’s office)
Use the Bangor Main Library
Use the e-resources (see links in Blackboard)
Assessment schedules for coursework are published at
the start of each module (noticeboards and online). Note
these dates in your diary now!
Preparing Written Language Work




Presentation:
All language work must be double-spaced.
Word-processed work is preferable, although it may be
hand-written – but must be legible!
Carefully proof-read all work before submission (e.g.
agreement of nouns and adjectives, accents etc.)
Use your dictionary and grammar reference book (pay
particular attention to spelling, gender, conjugations…)
Language work is assessed according to a range of
criteria, including subject matter, textual features,
vocabulary & idiom, grammar & structure (see Marking
Scheme on SML website)
Accents


Keyboard shortcuts (MS Word)
Using the Character Map (usually stored under
Programs / Accessories / System Tools)
Word shortcuts
Universal ASCI codes
è
CTRL + ` + e
ALT + 0232
é
CTRL + ’ + e
ALT + 0233
ê
CTRL + shift + ^ + e
ALT + 0234
ë
CTRL + shift + : + e
ALT + 0235
Preparing Oral Presentations






Oral presentations should be clearly structured, with a
clear overall argument
Check the timing of your presentation – practice it at
home, and keep to the time limit
Speak clearly and confidently
Make eye contact with your audience
Do not read from a script
Be enthusiastic!
Essay Writing





Presentation:
Essays must be word-processed and double-spaced
Essays should contain evidence of secondary reading,
and include a bibliography (see Blackboard for layout
guidelines, and SML website for MHRA Style Guide)
An appropriate register should be used (avoid ‘I’…)
All essays should be printed and accompanied by a
cover sheet available from the SML office or downloaded
from SML website AND submitted electronically via
Blackboard
Essays are assessed under a categorical marking
scheme (see Marking Scheme on SML website)
Preparing an essay

Answer the question, nothing but the question, and the
whole question!


Types of question: “Discuss”, “Analsye”, “To what extent…”
Plan and structure your essay before you start writing,
including preparing suitable secondary reading material





Avoid Wikipedia at all costs!
Be wary of internet sources, and make sure you reference
reliable internet sources correctly
Use online journal access through Bangor University Library
website
Use a range of books from the Library!
You may quote in your target language (translation not normally
required)
Structuring an essay

Introduction



The middle bit!




Outline general background
Signpost the structure / arguments
Develop a logical structure (think of order, pacing and links
between ideas)
Each paragraph should have a clear direction and lead to the
next
Examples are vital to support the argument (make sure you
analyse examples rather than just describing them)
Conclusion


Draw the strands of your essay together
Sum up your argument and underline your main point(s)
Submitting an essay

Before submitting:




Re-read your essay
Check for spellings, grammar, register, factual inaccuracies etc.,
paying particular attention to any quotes in foreign language
Check referencing (including format)
Remember!


Consider both sides of the argument
Beware of plagiarism
Spot the Problems!
Spot the Problems!
Needs
doublespacing
Font: turns out
this is just
copied & pasted
from Wikipedia!!
(Plagiarism…)
Film title needs
to be in italics
“I think” is too
familiar; Needs
outline of main
points of
argument
(“lots of
different ways”
is too general)
Quote not referenced (needs footnote with film title, director’s name, distributor & date)
Quote should not be in italics, and the syntax flow from English to French is wrong
Quote is just ‘translated’ so there is no analysis (needs “This demonstrates that…”)
Closing remarks


Follow guidelines
If in doubt, check SML website and/or speak
to your lecturer / tutor