BIRKBECK, University of London, FACULTY OF LIFELONG LEARNING
Module/Occurrence Code: FFPS009N0ASS
Subject Area:
Psychology
Module Title:
Essay Writing for Psychology Students
Award Designation:
Summer School/One Day Course
Institution:
Birkbeck College
Malet Street
London, WC1
First Meeting:
Sat 01 November 2008, 10:00am - 5:00 pm
No of Meetings:
1 meeting(s)
Class Taught by:
Andy Kirby
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You should be able to listen and speak effectively in English and have a basic level
of written English. Please bring with you examples of essay titles that you are
required to compete as part of your Birkbeck Faculty of Continuing Education
Psychology course work, and the syllabus for each of your courses.
AIM
This course aims to help students to develop effective writing skills and confidence
so that they can submit the untimed essays required for Birkbeck Faculty of
Continuing Education Psychology courses.
OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The objectives of the course are to help students to
 Understand why and how assignments are set
 Analyse essay titles to understand what needs to be done
 Understand how essays are marked and feedback given
 Plan, draft, write and review a range of essays in the courses they are studying.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the module and its associated home study you should
 Have a clear understanding of the rationale of the assessment process including
the requirements for length and the inclusion of appropriate references
 Be able to analyse essay questions
 Have an understanding of the conventions for referencing essays
 Have an understanding of how to structure a bibliography
 Be able to outline, structure and start writing an essay
 Have an understanding of the importance of proof-reading and editing your essay
Note – there is a separate workshop on revising for and writing exam essays
so these will not feature strongly as a topic at this event.
COURSE CONTENT
1.
Assessment criteria
2.
Analysing assignment instructions
3.
Planning and writing essays
4.
Referencing and Plagiarism
5.
The assessment process
TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS
Talks, discussion, exercises, writing practice and group work.
READING
Cottrell, S. (2003) The Study Skills Handbook 2nd Edition, Macmillan
Northedge, A. (2005) The Good Study Guide. 2nd Edition, Milton Keynes: Open
University
BACKGROUND OF TUTOR
Andy Kirby has taught writing and study skills to Birkbeck Faculty of Continuing
Education Psychology students across two decades, and is a tutor and examiner for
Birkbeck courses.
NOTE: This workshop is free of charge to students on one or more of our
psychology modules but please note we reserve the right to charge those who
book a place and fail to attend a fee of £20. Anyone prevented from attending
due to ill health would need to provide documentary evidence.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
For further details on this module, the Certificate of Higher Education,
progression and resources available to students please consult our website:
www.bbk.ac.uk/ce/psychology
http://www.bbk.ac.uk/ce/psychology/forstudents/studyskills.shtml
Revised July 2007