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Academy Documents

Kindly access the Students' Policies & Forms by clicking on the button below. The following documents, among others, can be found there: Student Handbook, Student Code of Conduct, Students' Privacy Notice, Deferral, Suspension, and Cancellation Policy, Assignment Extension Policy, Re-Sit Policy, Complaints Procedure Policy, Equality Policy, and Student Disciplinary Policy.

Students' Policies & Forms

Sessions' Venue

All sessions will be held at 21 Academy's Training Centre in Naxxar

21 Business Centre, No. 20., Triq in-Nutar Debono, Naxxar NXR 2525

Monday sessions: 09:30 - 12:30hrs (compulsory signature)

Wednesday sessions: 17:30 - 20:30hrs - Class 03

Saturday sessions: 09:00hrs - 17:00hrs - Class 03

 

Lecture Schedule & Notes

Lecture notes will be available during the week following the respective lecture. Schedule dates are indicative and may change. All changes, if any, may be communicated via email, SMS or telephone calls.

LectureDateTimePresentationNotes (If Any)
Lecture 0103 October 202609:00 to 17:00hrsPresentation 01
Lecture 0207 October 202617:30 to 20:30hrsPresentation 02
Lecture 0317 October 202609:00 to 17:00hrsPresentation 03
Lecture 0421 October 202617:30 to 20:30hrsPresentation 04
Lecture 0524 October 202609:00 to 17:00hrsPresentation 05
Lecture 0628 October 202617:30 to 20:30hrs
Lecture 0731 October 202609:00 to 17:00hrs

Lecturer/s  

Ms Sharon Benny

Lecture Summaries & Suggested Reading 

Lecture 1 - Introduction to Academic Writing and Research

In this lecture, we will:

  • Understand the purpose and importance of academic writing and research
  • Explore the role of research in business and digital marketing decision-making
  • Identify the key characteristics of academic writing
  • Differentiate between academic and non-academic writing styles
  • Understand the structure and components of academic texts
  • Learn to construct simple, compound, and complex sentences effectively
  • Develop coherent and well-structured paragraphs using topic sentences and supporting evidence
  • Apply academic writing skills through practical writing exercises

Core Reading List

  • McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2013). How to Write for University: Academic Writing for Success. Pearson.
  • Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2019). Cite Them Right. The Essential Referencing Guide. Macmillan Education

Supplementary Reading List

  • Bailey, S. (2019). The Essentials of Academic Writing for International Students. 3rd ed. Routledge.
  • Cottrell, S. (2019). The Study Skills Handbook. 5th ed. Red Globe Press.
  • Swetnam, D. and Swetnam, R. (2020). Writing Your Dissertation. 3rd ed. Plymouth: How to Books.

 

Lecture 2 - Developing Research Ideas and Writing

  • Understand the process of identifying and developing research ideas
  • Identify business problems and opportunities within digital marketing contexts
  • Learn how to formulate a research problem and justify its significance
  • Develop clear research aims, objectives, and research questions
  • Understand the structure and purpose of a research proposal
  • Learn how to write a background and rationale for a study
  • Evaluate the feasibility and relevance of proposed business ideas

Core Reading List

  • McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2013). How to Write for University: Academic Writing for Success. Pearson.
  • Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2019). Cite Them Right. The Essential Referencing Guide. Macmillan Education

Supplementary Reading List

  • Bailey, S. (2019). The Essentials of Academic Writing for International Students. 3rd ed. Routledge.
  • Cottrell, S. (2019). The Study Skills Handbook. 5th ed. Red Globe Press.
  • Swetnam, D. and Swetnam, R. (2020). Writing Your Dissertation. 3rd ed. Plymouth: How to Books.

 

Lecture 3 - Mastering Academic Integrity and Effective Essay Planning

In this lecture, we will cover the following topics:

  • Defining plagiarism and understanding its implications in academic work
  • Applying proper methods for acknowledging sources to avoid plagiarism
  • Summarising and paraphrasing sources effectively
  • Developing and implementing good study habits
  • Recognising the importance of planning in the research and writing process
  • Analysing essay titles to understand the requirements and scope
  • Utilising brainstorming techniques to generate ideas for essays
  • Determining appropriate essay lengths based on assignment guidelines
  • Creating detailed writing outlines to structure the essays

Core Reading List

  • McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2013). How to Write for University: Academic Writing for Success. Pearson.
  • Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2019). Cite Them Right. The Essential Referencing Guide. Macmillan Education

Supplementary Reading List

  • Bailey, S. (2019). The Essentials of Academic Writing for International Students. 3rd ed. Routledge.
  • Cottrell, S. (2019). The Study Skills Handbook. 5th ed. Red Globe Press.
  • Locker, K. O., & Kaczmarek, S. K. (2014). Business Communication: Building Critical Skills. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Swetnam, D. and Swetnam, R. (2020). Writing Your Dissertation. 3rd ed. Plymouth: How to Books.

 

Lecture 4 - Literature Review and Proper Referencing in Academic Writing

In this lecture, the following will be discussed:

  • Defining plagiarism and understanding its implications in academic work
  • Applying proper methods for acknowledging sources to avoid plagiarism
  • Defining paraphrasing and its importance in academic writing
  • Summarising and paraphrasing sources effectively
  • Develop effective keyword search strategies
  • Evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources
  • Recognising the importance of planning in the research and writing process
  • Identify themes, trends, and research gaps within existing studies
  • Utilising brainstorming techniques to generate ideas for essays
  • Determining appropriate essay lengths based on assignment guidelines
    • Creating detailed writing outlines to structure the report

Core Reading List

  • McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2013). How to Write for University: Academic Writing for Success. Pearson.
  • Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2019). Cite Them Right. The Essential Referencing Guide. Macmillan Education

Supplementary Reading List

  • Bailey, S. (2019). The Essentials of Academic Writing for International Students. 3rd ed. Routledge.
  • Cottrell, S. (2019). The Study Skills Handbook. 5th ed. Red Globe Press.
  • Locker, K. O., & Kaczmarek, S. K. (2014). Business Communication: Building Critical Skills. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Swetnam, D. and Swetnam, R. (2020). Writing Your Dissertation. 3rd ed. Plymouth: How to Books.

 

Lecture 5 - Harvard Referencing & Critical Analysis

In this lecture, we will learn how to:

  • Apply the Harvard Referencing Style accurately in academic writing
  • Understand and apply common abbreviations used in referencing and citations
  • Compile and organise a reference list according to Harvard conventions
  • Understand and use common citation abbreviations
  • Correctly cite secondary sources and understand when their use is appropriate
  • Reference books, journal articles, websites, reports, and other common source types
  • Consequences of poor referencing
  • Identifying common referencing errors
  • Integrating quotations into writing
  • Avoiding patchwriting
  • Difference between bibliography and reference list

Core Reading List

  • McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2013). How to Write for University: Academic Writing for Success. Pearson.
  • Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2019). Cite Them Right. The Essential Referencing Guide. Macmillan Education

Supplementary Reading List

  • Bailey, S. (2019). The Essentials of Academic Writing for International Students. 3rd ed. Routledge.
  • Cottrell, S. (2019). The Study Skills Handbook. 5th ed. Red Globe Press.
  • Locker, K. O., & Kaczmarek, S. K. (2014). Business Communication: Building Critical Skills. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Swetnam, D. and Swetnam, R. (2020). Writing Your Dissertation. 3rd ed. Plymouth: How to Books.

 

Lecture 6 - Addressing Common Language Issues in Academic Writing  

During this lecture, the following topics regarding common language issues will be covered:

  • Formal vs Informal Language
  • Common Grammar Errors
  • Sentence Structure Problem
  • Cohesion and Linking Language
  • Word Choice and Academic Vocabulary
  • Consistency in Academic Writing
  • Definite Articles
  • Numbers
  • Passive and Active
  • Punctuation
  • Singular and Plural
  • Style
  • Time Markers

Core Reading List

  • McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2013). How to Write for University: Academic Writing for Success. Pearson.
  • Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2019). Cite Them Right. The Essential Referencing Guide. Macmillan Education

Supplementary Reading List

  • Bailey, S. (2019). The Essentials of Academic Writing for International Students. 3rd ed. Routledge.
  • Cottrell, S. (2019). The Study Skills Handbook. 5th ed. Red Globe Press.
  • Locker, K. O., & Kaczmarek, S. K. (2014). Business Communication: Building Critical Skills. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Swetnam, D. and Swetnam, R. (2020). Writing Your Dissertation. 3rd ed. Plymouth: How to Books.

 

Lecture 7 -Challenges in Academic Reading and Writing

During this lecture we will learn:

  • Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant information
  • Skimming for overview
  • Annotation and highlighting techniques
  • Descriptive writing into analytical writing
  • Managing research materials
  • Reflective report
  • Writing and Presentation

Core Reading List

  • McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2013). How to Write for University: Academic Writing for Success. Pearson.
  • Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2019). Cite Them Right. The Essential Referencing Guide. Macmillan Education

Supplementary Reading List

  • Bailey, S. (2019). The Essentials of Academic Writing for International Students. 3rd ed. Routledge.
  • Cottrell, S. (2019). The Study Skills Handbook. 5th ed. Red Globe Press.
  • Locker, K. O., & Kaczmarek, S. K. (2014). Business Communication: Building Critical Skills. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Swetnam, D. and Swetnam, R. (2020). Writing Your Dissertation. 3rd ed. Plymouth: How to Books.