Essay Writing Portfolio Assessment

This assignment assesses your understanding of the essay writing process. It requires you to demonstrate knowledge, critical thinking, research skills, and effective communication by completing various tasks throughout a dedicated portfolio. The focus is on achieving a high standard, aiming for a first-class grade.

English for Academic Purposes 2
(EAPB3017)
Name:
Student Number:
Tutor name:
This is your English for Academic Purposes 2 e-portfolio which you must submit on Thursday
24th August 2017 by 2pm via the Student Portal. This should be completed throughout the
course and you must make sure you save your work regularly (e.g. on your computer, on a
USB stick, on email or on the Cloud drive). Please refer to suggested word counts for each
task included within this portfolio.
Assessed Learning Outcomes:
1. Produce elements of a cohesive and coherent researched essay
2. Listen to an academic lecture whilst taking coherent notes
3. Read, compare and summarise a number of written academic texts.
Week Table of Contents Pag
e
Learning
Outcome
Completed?
()
Portfolio Tasks
(These tasks
should be
developed
throughout the
term but
completed by
Thursday 24
1

August 2017 by
2pm)
1 Where are you now? 2 LO 1, 2 & 3 ☐
1 Personal Development Plan
[suggested word count: 100 - 150] 3 LO 1, 2 & 3 ☐
2 – 9 Organising your ideas
[suggested word count: varies per task] 4 LO 1 & 3 ☐
6 Making notes with confidence
(200 words) 6 LO 2 ☐
3 – 8 Developing your arguments
[suggested word count: varies per task] 8 LO 1, 2 & 3 ☐
6 – 9 Writing your argumentative essay
(900 words) 10 LO 1 & 3 ☐
10 Getting a First! 11 LO 1 & 3 ☐
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Total word limit:
Final task: Argumentative essay (900 words) (+/- 10%)
Track your progress by ticking off each task as you complete it, in the final column
PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 1: Where are you now?
Below is a list of the skills you will need when working on extended pieces of writing during your university
career. Using the list from EAP 1, put a cross (X) in the same boxes for each skill in the first column, and tick ()
the appropriate box for each skill in the second column, according to how well you think you can do this now.
You should refer to the checklist throughout the course and decide whether you have made any progress with
these skills.
Skill This is new for
me
I need to
develop this skill
I can improve
this skill
I
c
a
n
d
o
t
h
i
s
w
e
2

l
l
Looking for information
Identify which book / journals/ websites
to use ☐√ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Select relevant parts of a text ☐√ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Using sources
Acknowledge sources of information ☐ ☐ ☐√ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Write a reference list correctly ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ √☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Avoid plagiarism ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐√ ☐ ☐ ☐
Planning/Writing
Brainstorm ideas √☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Plan written work ☐ √☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Link ideas effectively ☐ ☐ √☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Paraphrase & summarise ideas ☐√ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Write an introduction ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Write a conclusion ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐√ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Personal Study
Work independently ☐√ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Manage my time ☐ ☐ √☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Oral Presentation
Brainstorm ideas with peers √☐ ☐ ☐√ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Discuss written work in a tutorial ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
IT
Access the internet ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐√ ☐ ☐ ☐
Use search engines ☐ ☐ √☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Create word documents ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ √☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Use PowerPoint ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ √☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
PORTFOLIO TASK
2

Week 1: Personal Development Plan (PDP): Specific – Measurable – Achievable – Realistic – Timescale [SMART]
2

You are required to develop a Personal Development Plan (PDP), which includes goals for the
development of your academic skills after the completion of the module. This should include skills
we cover on this module. To help you, write down the strengths and weaknesses you listed in EAP
1 in the box below, which can also be from your feedback. Use complete sentences.
Strengths
It is important for every human being to understand the strengths which
they possess in their personality. I am not aware of all capabilities but
there are some areas where I am better than others which are as follows:
 I have good writing skills, I can easily understand what other
person is trying to say and at the same time I can make him
understand what I am trying to say.
 I can easily get various kind of information which is available on
different sources like internet, magazine, books etc.
 I am a good listen, give proper chance to mu opponents so I can
understand what other person is trying to say.
Weakness
 I can easily get confuse after watching and reading various
types of data. This weakness convert a small problem into a
gigantic trouble.
 I am slow leaner, it take more time to process and information.
 I can speak only one language i.e. English. In this era, learning more
than two language is very important so I can communicate my message
to more people.
Now think about what you would like to improve. Be specific when describing your goals and how you will
achieve and measure them. (100 – 150 words)
Target Goal Action Success Criteria
e.g. To have clear paragraphs To produce an outline before writing The reader can identify
topic/ideas of those
paragraphs
1 Increase patience Reduce stress level
I have to work on anger management and
get command on my emotions.
Self talk
Talking with self help in will change my
attitude towards myself. It will increase my
tolerance power.
According to my researc
make
3 small mistakes
every week.
If after three
months I make
two mistakes
every week than
I will be a huge
success for me.
2 Improve my aptitude skills I have to solve various kind of puzzles and
mathematical problems. This will gradually
I will join a test
series in so and
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improve my learning skills. try to achieve more tha
marks
after 3 tests.
3 Learn new language Learn new language by joining coaching
institute
I will join weekend classes in order to learn
new language.
Learn French
in current years
and Spanish in
next year.
PORTFOLIO TASK
2

Week 3: Organising your ideas: Are my sources reliable?
3

Look at the table below. Using the sources you have found (not from GSM Learn or the reading list), answer
the questions below to determine if they are reliable. Make notes.
Source 1 Source 2
Who wrote/said it? Nick Triggle Paul Waugh
Are they qualified to speak on this topic? Yes Yes
Do they have a personal interest in that
issue?
No No
What type of source is it? Reliable Reliable
Has it been verified in any way? Can it be
proved?
Yes, It was posted website of
BBC.
Yes, it was posted by Huffingtonpost.
Is there evidence to support this claim? He is a health correspondent and
working in this industry from a
long time.
He is executive editor at
Huffingtonpost and following this
issue from a long time.
Was the source created to persuade, sell,
entertain, inform or for another purpose?
Sell Sell
Is the content relevant to your research? Yes Yes
When was it published/last updated? 20/02/15 27/03/17
Does this impact its relevance or
objectivity?
No No
Give the full references of both your sources here in Harvard Style:
To format the text, highlight the word(s) or line of text you want to change and select the required formatting
option (colour change, bold, italics etc.).
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PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 4-9: Organising your ideas: Noting down the main points
In the space below, create an outline for your essay by making notes about any information you find from class
or reading list sources and from the two sources you found. Use bullet points and not full sentences. Include
in-text citations where necessary. You should add to this throughout the course. (150 – 200 words)
Essay Question:
Should the NHS be privatised?
Arguments in Favour (Yes) Arguments against (No)
Economic
NHS is already spending huge amount by
paying bills of patients whom they can not
treat. They refer them to private hospitals
who provide them necessary services
(Tory ‘Health Privatisation’ Under
Fire £900m Spent On Non-NHS
Treatments. 2017).
Yes it should get privatised. Below are
some points in favour of this argument:
 Government can not provide free
services for a long time in this era
because competition in this
industry is growing and other
private sector companies are
facing huge losses because of this
facility.
 After Brexit, it will be very difficult
for government to face this extra
financial burden.
National Health Services is an organisation
which was under the control of British
regime. Till now it has been successful in
controlling all health and medical related
bodies in the country. But with the step of
privatisation this will bring many negative
impact on the health sector of UK. This
demand rose because of the losses faced
by the organisation. With the privatization
of there are fear that the private bodies will
erode the key foundations of the NHS. Till
now lots of its services are at free of cost
but with this step(if taken) the organisation
who will be given the responsibility may
charge money for basic health services.
There will be fragmentation of the health
services to the detriment of patients and
accountability of the bodies will also
decrease. With the aim of earning more
profit or with the commercial
confidentiality it will be impossible to
monitor the public spending. So the private
companies will give preference to the profit
margins before the patients thus
overcharging for the services. They will also
increase the hospitalization rates and those
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who will pay more will get first treatment.
Social
 People are ready to pay more price
but they want quality in service.
 Their are some medical facilities
which NHS can not provide with
their current budget. If this
department will go in private
hands than they will buy latest
technology equipment which will
help patients in getting better
services.
 NHS is referring some patients to
private hospital because they want
to reduce waiting time, they want
public to get more option so they
can make correct choice according
to their need (NHS
privatisation: Why the fuss?.
2015). It privatisation of NHS
happen than people do not have to
get entangle in various
complicated government
procedure.
 NHS is mainly a regulating body which
works to make a control on
organisations which are working in
health and social care sector. Currently
it is working as a public sector
organisation so according to some
social factors it has not be privatised,
some of the reasons are here:
Family: Mostly they are delivering their
services to end users of health and
social care service users, if this
organisation get privatised their main
motive will convert on profit making
which will make an impact on the ned
users family. Public sector
organisations are having their focus on
the social well being but it will change
after privatisation so it has not to be
changed according to this factor.
Lifestyle: It is a factor which is consider
in the social factor so a privatised
organisation is having huge impact on
the lifestyle and as they are working in
the public sector they are not
impacting on lifestyle of service users.
Privatisation of NHS can create a huge
change in working of NHS which will
make a negative impact on public
lifestyle.
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PORTFOLIO TASK
Developing your arguments: Paraphrasing/Summarising
Choose one aspect (e.g. Economic or Social) and summarise and/or paraphrase the main points you noted in
the outline on page 5. Use complete sentences and include in-text citations where necessary. (150 - 200
words).
Arguments in favour (Yes):
In order to provide good service government has to give it in private hand because they can not face extra
financial burden after Brexit. Government can fix rates of service so private firms do not charge extra money.
Currently, they need lot of financial assistance so if they give NHS to private company than they will earn
huge amount which they can use in public welfare.
Arguments against (No):
Financial condition of government is in very poor condition. They can not afford extra burden which they are
getting by allotting money to NHS. In other countries private sector in medicine industry has seen remarkable
growth but in UK, because of government assistance, they are failing to earning decent amount of revenue.
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PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 5: Developing your arguments: Combining sources
Using the summaries you wrote in the previous task, combine them below to create the first body paragraph
of your essay. Use the guide below to help you and highlight each part with the same colour. (250 – 300
words)
Body paragraph 1
Say why this is a key issue (e.g. Economic/Social)
(this is your topic sentence)
What is the counter-argument of this issue?
(this is the opinion you do not agree with)
What is the main argument if this issue?
(this is your opinion)
Why is your argument stronger than the counter-argument?
What evidence/examples do you have to support this?
What can you conclude from this? What are the implications?
You should use at least 2 sources in this paragraph.
This issue has direct relation with health of public. It is connected to financial situation of country and
creating a huge burden on monetary resources of government. People are saying that if it they privatise it
than patients will get better facility but they are not talking about huge amount that private hospitals will
charge from public. At the end it can be concluded that privatisation of NHS in necessary but government
should not give full control in shot because it will create massive tension in public.
2

PORTFOLIO TASK
Making notes with confidence
This is an in-class activity. Please upload a photo of your notes here.
2

2

Write a summary about what you have just listened to. (No more than 100 words)
Their are two option in-front of government. First is to give it in private hands in order to provide quality
service and other is to keep it in their hands and invest more fund so they can deliver results accordingly.
People are ready to pay more price but they do not want quality service against the money which they are
ready to pay.
Write a response to the opinions given. (No more than 100 words).
I think it should be send in private hands but government should have partial control so they can stop the
unnecessary amount that private sector companies can charge by using name of NHS. Government should give
NHS in private hand but they should keep control on prices of the services which private sector firm are
offering.
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PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 7-9: Writing your argumentative essay
Using the same process you did for the first body paragraph, complete your essay below.
(900 words: +/- 10%)
The NHS should be privatised. Discuss
INTRODUCTION
NHS is non profit making organization which is able to provide health care services to people and try
to protect them from serious deceases. If it should be privatised then company is not able to provide
health treatment to people. Also private firms are focus on earning profit rather then social welfare.
But on the other hand, private companies are focus on their quality in order to attract large number of
customers.
NHS stands for National Health Services which is engaged in the business of providing public health
care services in order to protect health of people. Cited firm is able to maintain health of people.
Provide medical treatment to all age group of person at cheapest price rate which can easily. Through
this people are easily able to maintain their life and raise standard as well. Members of this company
have to maintain their performance in order to attain their target in timely and effective manner. The
main objective of this firm is raise the standard of people and maintain their life as well. NHS is
considered as non profit making company which is provide varieties of products and services at
cheapest price. All goods and services which are offered by cited company are of best quality and
able to meet standard of people. This company having large number of users which are connected
with firm last so many years. Cited organization having ultimate market share in international
market. As they have to frame various types of plans and strategies in order to attain their target and
objectives as well.
If it converted in private sector then performance and quality of entire is being decreased.
After this conversion company only focus on profit earning process which is helpful for entire
country. In present days large number of people are connected with firm but after this conversion
people are not able to attract with its activities and functions. Because private companies are only
focus on the profit earning process not on the social welfare. These entities are not able to raise
standard of living of people. They perform functions for earn better profit.
NHS is a healthcare center which offer some services and care to their clients so that they will
be get recover on time. There are many people who gave their different opinion regard to this that
NHS should be privatized or not. It is a kind of myth that private sector companies are more efficient
and work properly as for those they have main aim is to increase the profits in order to achieve
success. So, profits cannot be measured for success as this is not the main aim of health and social
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care organizations. If this get changed into privation than also health of the people won’t change.
Some others put their opinion on same topic that there some clients who wants to spend on public
company as there is large population so it is important to improve their health.
NHS is a organisation that is maintaining the quality of health care sector in United Kingdom.
It is very vital as it ensures that all patients are served with required level of services. But with time
its services and their quality has seen a downfall. There are certain merits of privatisation of NHS
which are mentioned below: Protecting free services: The rise in competition will assist in keeping principal of free
services alive. As the consumer will have more options it will be taking the best value
contracts for him self. Quality improvement: With privatisation the quality of services will be improved. Theb
private hospitals have a cut throat competition which makes them to offer more qualitative
services to consumers. NHS needs Assistance: It is in a dire shape and failing to address different issues that are
popping up with time. Privatisation will assist in developing better services and counter issues
in a smooth manner. Patients will have better choice: Currently, Patients do not get to choose their type of hospital
due to some limits, with privatisation they will be able to choose best hospital as per their
requirement. Survival of Fittest: Privatisation will lead to competition that is good for market as only those
companies who are offering qualitative services will survive.
 Increased investment in medical care: The private sector has more funds which can be
invested in the medical sector for its improvement.
So with all these benefits, it can be said that privatisation of NHS will only assist in creating and
developing a better medical sector in the United Kingdom.
Cons of NHS if it is privatised
Every thing is having positive and negative impact. Nothing is perfect. Privatisation industry is
having some advantages but it also enhance disadvantage in the business environment also. NHS is n
government body delivering services in health and social care sector to helps sufferer of society
effectively. If NHS get privatise then this also have some pros and cons also. Some of the cons of the
NHS privatisation are defined below. Eroding NHS Principle: Every private company is working in
order to enhance profitability of firm and engaged in developing more and more wealth. So, if the
NHS get privatised one of the most significant demerit of privatisation of organisation is that it will
2

not able to company with the visions and missions of organisation which is to deliver efficient heath
and social care services to huge size of public in UK. This foundation was established in 1948 with
an private of delivering good quality services to patents and sufferer of society to helps them in faster
recovery from illness. After privatisation firm will not able to accomplish its mission statement
efficiently. Fragmented services: The organisation is engaged in delivering various kind of health
services to the patients of all kind of disease. The organisation is also delivering medicines through is
medicine stores also. After getting privatisation the entity will split into many parts which will effect
the working in collaboration of organisation culture to large extent. Less transparency: Private
companies are not following transparent policies in their organisation working. These companies are
engaged in developing double bureaucracy in their operations. So, privatisation of NHS is also
largely affected by the transparency factor of private company. As these companies are not engaged
in showing public spending to the company and entity is also engaged in negotiating contracts which
affects the trust and responsibility of clients and services users of firm.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above report, it has been concluded that there are some advantages and disadvantages
has been defines on the topic of NHS should be privatised. If it should be privatised then company
must focus on their quality rather then social welfare also provide goods and services at high prices.
Reference List
El-Gingihy, Y., 2015. How to dismantle the NHS in 10 easy steps. John Hunt
Publishing.
Hunter, D.J., 2013. Will 1 April mark the beginning of the end of England's NHS?
Yes. BMJ: British Medical Journal (Online), 346.
Kumari, N., 2011. Personal therapy as a mandatory requirement for counselling
psychologists in training: A qualitative study of the impact of therapy on
trainees’ personal and professional development. Counselling Psychology
Quarterly. 24(3). pp.211-232.
Online
NHS privatisation: Why the fuss?. 2015. [Online]. Available
through:<http://www.bbc.com/news/health-31435842>. [Accessed on 2nd August 2017].
Tory ‘Health Privatisation’ Under Fire £900m Spent On Non-NHS Treatments. 2017.
[Online]. Available through:<http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tory-nhs-privatisation-
claim-as-new-health-foundation-figures-show-900m-on-inon-nhs-
treatment_uk_58d8fb02e4b03787d35a348d>. [Accessed on 2nd August 2017].
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PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 10: Getting a First!
Tick (✓) the appropriate column to check that your essay has included the necessary parts to help it get as
high a grade as possible!
Good
evidence
Some
evidence
Insufficient
evidence
Knowledge and
understanding
Have you worked through the tasks in this portfolio? ☐ ☐ ☐
Have you paraphrased/summarised ideas effectively? ☐ ☐ ☐
Do your portfolio tasks show understanding of the essay writing
process? ☐ ☐ ☐
Have you researched and supported your ideas with evidence
and examples? ☐ ☐ ☐
Cognitive/Intellectual Skills
Does your essay include an introduction and conclusion? ☐ ☐ ☐
Do your body paragraphs contain a counter-argument,
argument & evidence/examples, using appropriate linking
words?
☐ ☐ ☐
Have you used at least 4 sources (2 of them can be from class or
reading list) & combined your sources effectively? ☐ ☐ ☐
Have you made your opinions clear? ☐ ☐ ☐
Graduate: Transferable
Employability & Practical
Skills
Are you within the word count? ☐ ☐ ☐
Have you checked for spelling, grammar and punctuation
mistakes? ☐ ☐ ☐
Have you used appropriate academic style and appropriate
vocabulary? ☐ ☐ ☐
Have you included in-text citations and a reference list that
follow Harvard Style? ☐ ☐ ☐
Do you show good awareness of your strengths and weaknesses
(skills audit and PDP target)? ☐ ☐ ☐
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