Skills - Loughborough College - Sheffield Hallam University resources

Writing skills (RMIT)

Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing is one way of using references in your academic writing. This short video gives you an introduction into the why and the how to paraphrase to get you started.
Paragraphs
This short video explains why writing good paragraphs in your assessment tasks is important. It also introduces an easy to follow structure for your paragraphs to improve your writing skills.
Spelling
This brief tutorial covers most of the major spelling rules used in the English language with a fun activity to test your skills.
Academic style
This tutorial gives you strategies for writing clearly in an academic style. The examples and activities show you how to get your meaning across using coherent, cohesive and concise writing.
Referencing
This short video introduces why you must use references and the different ways to use referencing in your writing either through direct quotes or paraphrasing and using a reference list.

Resource credit: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

Academic writing
These pages deconstruct the process of writing academically and introduce methods you can use to improve your academic writing style.
Interpreting your assignment
This resource will guide you through how to interpret your assignment tasks, from analysing the different parts of the title and brief to what questions you need to consider before putting pen to paper.
Note taking and note making
This resource will help you to reflect on your current approach to taking and making notes, and suggest ideas for making your notes more meaningful and useful.
Report writing
This resource will consider the differences between writing a report and an essay, and will emphasise the importance of structure and presentation.
Reflective writing
The information and activities in this resource will help you to understand what reflective writing is and will provide examples of how and when to use it in your studies.

Resource credit: University of Leeds

Sounding academic
This resource provides some excellent examples of how you can make the language in your written work more academic and formal.

Resource credit: University of Hull

Academic Phrasebank
A general resource for academic writers to help you think about the content and organisation of your own writing.

Resource credit: John Morley, University of Manchester

Plagiarism tutorial
The tutorial will help you to understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.
You be the judge (plagiarism quiz)
There are many different ways in which a student might plagiarise, either intentionally or unintentionally. This activity helps you learn how to recognise plagiarism.

Resource credit: University of Leeds

Creating your team
An overview of some tips for creating your team. It covers some of the steps to take at the outset of a group work project to ensure that the group works together effectively.
Effective communication
Advice on how to communicate effectively, particularly in a group working environment. Areas covered include active listening, body language and clarity of expression.
Group project management
An overview of tips to effectively manage group work projects. It covers breaking down the task, scheduling and setting deadlines, communicating and monitoring progress.
Feedback and reflection in group work
An overview of tips for providing and receiving useful and constructive feedback in a group working environment. It covers tips for both giving and receiving feedback.

For more resources to develop your understanding of working with others, visit the Learnhigher website.

Resource credit: Learnhigher

Mathcentre
Resources to help you with different areas of mathematics. Follow this link and then click on your subject area to find materials that are useful for your course.
Mathtutor
Support with 7 mathematical subject areas, including: arithmetic, algebra, functions and graphs, geometry and vectors, trigonometry, differentiation, and integration.
Statstutor
Help and support on a wide range of statistical topics, including techniques and software.

Resource credit: Loughborough and Coventry Universities et al