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Academic Writing

Academic Writing

Academic writing is a tedious but an emancipating task. It requires deep thinking and analysis. The process of writing, its characteristics and styles, crafting a thesis statement, and the forms of empirical evidence required in writing can vary from one discipline to another and from one subject to another. The resources here aim to help students understand academic writing and develop relevant academic writing skills to achieve success in their studies and beyond.


    (Video by Learning Centre, JCU Singapore)

    (Video by The Learning Centre, JCU Australia)

Assignment guides

Download the guides below to assist you with your academic assignments. These guides are from The Learning Centre, JCU Australia.

How to write a Critical Essay

How to write a Reflective Essay

How to write a Critical Review

How to write an IMRaD Style Laboratory Report

How to write a Laboratory Report

How to write a Literature Review

How to write a Business Report

How to write a Science Essay

How to write a Scientific Report

How to write an Annotated Bibliography

How to upload, edit, and share a Video Presentation on YouTube

Assistance via email

Students can send us their assignment drafts or questions at learningcentre-singapore@jcu.edu.au. We endeavour to provide feedback in our teach-them-to-grow-rice style within 2-3 working days. Feedback is provided through comments and Track Changes functions in Microsoft Word, OneDrive or Google docs.

Feedback on 4th year psychology theses

Psychology undergraduate students who are writing their 4th year thesis can seek feedback on academic writing and statistical analysis from learning advisors by sending their full manuscript to learningcentre-singapore@jcu.edu.au Feedback is provided through comments and track changes in MS Word within 5 working days. Students should bear in mind the turnaround time for feedback to give themselves sufficient time to revise.

Assistance via Blackboard Collaborate or Zoom

Students can ask for individual or group consultations with a learning advisor via Collaborate or Zoom. Drop us an email at learningcentre-singapore@jcu.edu.au to arrange a Collaborate or Zoom session.

Assistance by academic writing peer tutors for Psychology and Business

Students can submit ad-hoc requests to seek feedback on their essays, literature reviews, annotated bibliographies, reflection essays, laboratory reports, business reports and other written assignments at jcu.sg/emasrequest or scan the QR code below.

Academic writing principles for students and academic writing peer tutors

Whether you are an academic writing peer tutor, a new student, or a current student, be guided by the fundamental principles in academic writing.

Principles in academic writing peer tutoring

Academic writing tips for students

Face-to-face consultation with a learning advisor

Subject to COVID-19 rules and regulations, students in Singapore can arrange a face-to-face consultation with a learning advisor by sending an email to learningcentre-singapore@jcu.edu.au

Post-Entry Language Assessment (PELA)

PELA is a subject-specific diagnostic test designed to assess the entry level academic writing competencies of students enrolled in BU1105/1805 (Professional and Academic Skills in Business), PY1101 (Exploring Psychology: From Brain to Practice) and PY1102 (Exploring Psychology: From Perception to Reality).

  • PELA is a diagnostic instrument which aims to gauge first year, first trimester students’ academic writing competencies as they commence their studies at James Cook University Singapore. These students are enrolled in the JCU Singapore Business School (BU1105/1805) and JCU Singapore School of Social and Health Sciences (PY1101 and PY1102).
  • Learning Centre will facilitate academic writing workshops with students who scored Band 3 (At-risk) in the PELA to improve their academic writing skills and be successful in their subjects. Learning advisors will also make themselves available for these students to provide feedback on their subject assignments through email or face-to-face/walk-in consultations.
  • Band 3 students are also encouraged to seek help from Academic Writing Peer Tutors for Business and Academic Writing Peer Tutors for Psychology. They can do this by submitting an ad-hoc request at http://jcu.sg/emasrequest or by scanning the QR code below.

    PELA

English language support

When or where can I have a session with a learning advisor for pathway programs? How can I seek English language assistance or general learning assistance? Send an email to haejin.jang@jcu.edu.au

When or where can I meet with English peer tutors to read or study together for my assignments? Visit this link to see the schedule for the study together sessions (EMAS peer tutoring sessions). For more information, contact Dr. Haejin Jang

Please take note that it is not the English peer tutors’ responsibility to teach ELPP students; rather peer tutors will work together with students to share their learning experiences and enhance self-directed learning skills.