BIRKBECK, University of London, FACULTY OF LIFELONG LEARNING
Module/Occurrence Code:
FFPS026N0ASS
Subject Area:
Psychology
Module Title:
Revising and Taking Timed Essays for Psychology
Students
Award Designation:
Summer School/One Day Course
Institution:
Birkbeck College
Malet Street
London, WC1
First Meeting:
Sat 08 Nov 2008, 10:00am - 3:00 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 copies of the syllabus of each for Birkbeck Faculty of
Continuing Education Psychology course that you are undertaking or plan to undertake,
together with examples of timed essay titles that you are likely to undertake.
AIM
This course aims to help you to develop effective writing skills and confidence so that you can
revise for and submit the timed essays required for Birkbeck Faculty of Continuing Education
Psychology courses.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the course are to help you to
 Understand the advantages and opportunities of timed assignments
 Develop an effective revision strategy
 Understand how essays are marked and feedback given
 Develop an effective strategy for writing essays in the courses you are studying under
timed conditions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the module and its associated home study you should
 Have a plan for making best use of your revision time for specific activities
 Be able to outline an essay to be produced under timed conditions
 Know how to prepare yourself on the day of a timed essay
 Be able to analyse essay questions
Note – there is a separate workshop on writing non-timed essays so these will not
feature strongly as a topic at this event.
COURSE CONTENT
1.
Risks and opportunities of timed essays
2.
Developing a strategy for revision
3.
Analysing assignment instructions
4.
Planning and writing essays under timed conditions
5.
Performing at your best on the day
TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS
Talks, discussion, exercises, writing practice and group work.
READING
Cottrell, Stella (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