EAP 1 Portfolio: Academic Writing and Portfolio Evidence Submission

This EAP 1 portfolio presents a comprehensive collection of academic writing exercises and tasks designed to enhance students' skills in higher education. The portfolio includes a self-evaluation checklist to assess strengths and weaknesses, summarising exercises to improve comprehension and concise writing, and an outline to structure an essay effectively. The core of the portfolio is a compare and contrast essay, demonstrating the application of academic writing principles. The portfolio covers various aspects of academic writing, including summarising, outlining, paragraph structure, and self-assessment, all of which are essential for successful academic performance. The content also includes a comparison of university fees in England and Australia, and provides an essay outline focusing on English for academic purposes, which is relevant to the current market condition.

This is your EAP 1 Portfolio. Please save a copy on your computer and back it up
regularly (e.g. by saving it on your computer / in the cloud (e.g. Google Drive) /
emailing it to yourself. You will receive a printed copy which you should bring to all
lectures and tutorials. However, at the end of the course, you need to submit a
completed electronic copy. Please refer to suggested word counts for each task
included within this portfolio.
Assessed Learning Outcomes (LOs):
1. Produce cohesive and coherent elements of academic writing.
2. Read, compare and summarise written academic texts.
Week Contents Page Learning
Outcome
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence
(These tasks will often be drafted in class and are designed to inform the written task in section 2.
Suggested word counts are included are in brackets.)
1 Portfolio evidence I: Self-evaluation checklist 3 LO 1 & 2
4 Portfolio evidence II: Summarising
(recommended word count: 100)
4 LO 1 & 2
4-5 Portfolio evidence III: Outline
(recommended word count: 100)
6 LO 2
LO 2

6 Portfolio evidence IV: Paragraph structure
(recommended word count: 250)
7
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9 Portfolio evidence V: Self-assessment
(recommended word count: at least 100)
8 LO 1 & 2
Section 2: Written Task
(The written task should be developed throughout the semester but completed in weeks 7-10.)
1 - 10 Academic writing [compare and contrast essay relevant to higher
education]
(word count: 750 words)
10 LO 1 & 2
Total word count: Written Task (750 words) + Evidence (Approx. 850 words)
(+/- 10%)
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence I
Self-evaluation checklist
Below is a list of the skills you will need when working on extended pieces of writing during
your university career. The work you do on the EAP 1 course will help you develop these
skills.
Tick the appropriate box for each skill, according to how well you think you can do this at
the beginning of this course. Look again at the checklist throughout the course in order to
identify areas for independent study.
Skills Do not know
about this
Find this
difficult/ can’t
do this
Can partially
do this
Can do this
well
Looking for information
Identify which books/journals/websites to use ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Select relevant parts of a text ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Using sources
Acknowledge sources of information ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Avoid plagiarism ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Planning/ writing
Brainstorm ideas ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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Plan written work ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Link ideas effectively ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Paraphrase & summarise ideas ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Write an introduction ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Write a conclusion ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Personal study
Work independently ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Manage my time ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Oral presentation
Discuss written work in a tutorial ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
IT
Access the internet ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Use search engines ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Create word documents ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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Section 1: Portfolio Evidence II
Summarising (recommended word count: 100)
2.a.i.1. Find a text on university fees in the country of your choice (around 200 words)
and paste it below, in part 1. Then, read the two texts and highlight the main points.
PART 1:
England's university fees.
 It is been announced that the the debt rate will raise by adding the higher ratios of fees to it.
 The university fee will get increased on yearly basis from 2017.
 £9,250 will get raise per year (Oxhead., 2012).
 Rate of inflation linked will hike by 2.8%.
 The fees may rise till £10000 if the rate of inflation linked get on rising.
 The fee structure will be applicable on the new admissions
 There are chances that the fee can be applied on to the existing students also.
 The announcement of the new policy of fees has to be done before the session gets start.
Text 1:
University fees in England
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“University tuition fees in England will rise to £9,250 per year from 2017 and the increase could apply to students who have
already started courses. The inflation-linked rise represents a 2.8% increase and if that continued would mean fees rising above
£10,000 in the next few years. Universities face the dilemma that under consumer protection requirements they will need to
announce the £9,250 fee before the beginning of the next application cycle in early September. However, until formally
changed by Parliament, universities are not allowed to charge a fee higher than £9,000, which is the current limit.
The government says the increase can apply to students who have already begun courses - but this will depend on the terms of
student contracts in individual universities. The fees will increase in subsequent years. Royal Holloway and the University of
Kent have to still to decide on whether to charge higher fees for current students, but expect to apply them to new students
starting in 2017, if the fee limit increase goes ahead. The University of Surrey will not increase fees for its current
undergraduates, but fees will increase each year for students starting in 2017.
Universities minister Jo Johnson has published a statement setting out plans to link higher fees to better teaching. Liberal
Democrat university spokeswoman Baroness Lorely Burt said: "Linking fees to teaching quality in this way is unacceptable.
Enabling any university that scrapes a 'meet expectations' rating to increase fees by 2.8% shows that this isn't about teaching
quality at all. If universities need further support then let's have a proper discussion about where that money comes from,
rather than pretending that this is somehow a quid pro quo for providing the quality of teaching students should already be
able to expect". Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust education charity, said the fee increase will add to student debts
that we have shown to be by far the highest in the English-speaking world. A real concern is that the removal of maintenance
grants will almost certainly deter poorer students, who now face debts of over £50,000 on graduation”.
From: Coughlan, S. (2017). University tuition fees rise to £9,250 for current students –BBC News. [online] BBC News. Available
at:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-36856026 [Accessed 19 Jan. 2017].
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2.Make some notes of the most important points, using your own words, in part 2 below.
PART 2:
Notes (Text 1):
As the important part is been played by the fees in the university therefore it is very essential for the
institutions to be upgraded according to the requirements. The fee structure of the university of England defies
that from 2017 onwards the fees will rise to £9250. the fees will be applicable for those who have already
bought the new set of the books and have opt the courses. 2.8% is the increasing rate of the inflation linked
rate (Charles., 2013). It has also been noticed that in case if in the upcoming time the rate rises up then the fee
will also get hiked up more than £10000.
Under the consumer protection act, that is applied in the context of the university is the institutes have
to reveal the structure of the fees out before the new session get started. The next session will start by
September before that all should know every information related to the fees. It has also defined very well by
the parliament that university should not charge the fees more than £9000, which is the current limit of the
fees structure. The policies of the fees structure in England has to be effectively followed by each and every
university of the nation as per the declaration but still there are doubts that for the the structure is valid and
who all are not included in the new structure.
The government of England said that the new fee structure should be applied to the students who
have recently applied and started the courses. There are issues in this as well because the students are having
several contracts with the university. If the terms and the conditions of the agreement allows for the change
the only the hiked prices will be charge to them other wise the fees will remain same as per the drawn
contract.
There are many such universities which are in a state of confusion that whether the fees to be charged
on the new batches or it has to be applied to all the students of the university, but the fees probably will be
charged on the new batches only. University of Surrey declared that the undergraduate will not be charged any
hiked fees but yes the new batches have to be admitted only by the new policy (Joe., 2010).
3.Answer the question in part 3 below, using your notes.
PART 3:
What are the similarities and differences between universities in England and Australia in relation
to tuition fees? Why are they important?
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Similarities that the universities of both the nations have is that the technologies and the teaching
pattern adopted by them are same. Both the countries promotes the system of funding. The techniques of the
teaching to the student in both the countries are very similar and the way the lectures are delivered are very
effective.
Differences that the university lies upon is reputation that is much fair of England than Australia.
Australian university is very expensive. Although the techniques are very similar but the Australia lacks in the
proper conveying of the information this has also affected the students and later the power point and the
words files are delivered as because the problems of the students are not get solved by the lecturers as the
upgraded technologies are not effectively used in several universities this differ it from UK.
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Section 1: Portfolio Evidence III
Outline (recommended word count: 200)
Complete your essay outline below. An outline is a map of the main ideas included in your
essay. You should not write full sentences, just notes of the main points that you are going
to write in each paragraph of your essay, along with in-text referencing details (MB=Main
Body).
TITLE English for academic purpose.
INTR
ODUC
TION
Background Information:
The students in the current market condition if not able to compete in the market then it
become very difficult for them to survive as to live a prosperous life it is very necessary for one to be
established (F.M.S and Maher., 2010). English language definitely plays a very important role in the life
of the students.
Thesis Statement:
The essay defines all the aspects of the fees structure that is been applied in the universities.
MB
Paragraph
1
Paragraph Focus: Number of students registering in universities.
Country A: England Country B:
Australia
2.5 million students has been registered themselves in the university of UK. Whereas in
Australia 1.9
millions students
out of large
population has
been registered
for the education
plans.
MB
Paragraph
2
Paragraph Focus: Fee structure in different country.
Country A: England Country B:
Australia
In England fees are in an affordable manner. £9250 is the new hiked fess in
the universities.
Fees structure in
Australia is very
high and get
increases
frequently
CONCL
USION
Summary of main points
This can be summarised that England is having more number of students who are taking part in
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registration for further education. This is also evidenced that the fee structure of Australian universities
is very high as compared to England education.
Recommendations/suggestions/predictions
It is very necessary to prepare a very well defined fees structure. The high rate of the fees has to be
implemented on to the new students (Ames, 2014). English language have to be very critically
introduces in the studies.
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence IV
Paragraph structure (recommended word count: 300, including notes)
Write a MB paragraph for your essay below (funding OR quality). Then, highlight its parts
using a different colour for each one of them. Use the following colour code:
Topic sentence: RED
Country A (England): BLUE
Country B (……………………): GREEN
Concluding sentence: ORANGE
In-text reference: PURPLE
Write your paragraph here. Then, colour the different parts.
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MB paragraph on quality and funding
The university of England focuses on certain procedures of the learning and teaching methodology. Many
strategies has been applied to enhance the level of the education. The structure of the fees has also been
managed as per the contracts drawn to the students. The only problem that the students will be facing is the
debts will raise due to the new policy of the structure of the fees. England is focusing on providing quality
education and more opportunities to groom their future for the students while studying in England. The sited
country is providing practical knowledge and experiences to the students to increase their leanings and skills to
use in practical world (Donohue and Erling., 2012). The fee of the England universities are low as compared to
Australia but due to changes in policies related with the funding the students are facing problem to pay
complete fee at once.
In the University of Australia as teaching program is been implemented which is said to be as PELTHE
(Program excellence in learning and teaching in higher education). The lecturers face many issues related to the
traditional technique of teaching. They face problem in providing relevant information to the students. The
quality of the Australia education is not good as compared to the eduction given in the universities of England
to their student. The Australian student are facing problem in learning and teaching procedures followed in
Australia. While the education system of the Australia is following traditional methods of learning and
developing skills which are not suitable in enhancing competence of their students. The Australia education
system is based on developing program excellence in learning and teaching techniques to the student for
higher education and providing quality education. The funding required to study in Australia is also more which
are not in affordable range of the students.
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Section 1: Portfolio Evidence V
Essay self-assessment form (recommended word count: 100)
Complete this form before you submit your portfolio.
Type a few comments below in relation to how well
you have addressed the following criteria in your
essay.
ESSAY STRUCTURE
A. Has a clear structure including an
introduction, body paragraphs,
conclusion & bibliography.
Yes
B. Has a clear thesis statement that
states the sub-topics and position.
Partially
C. Has clear topic sentences in each
main body paragraph.
Yes
D. Has features of an essay not a report,
i.e. no headings, no bullet points etc.
Yes
CONTENT
E. Has compared directly between the
two countries in each paragraph.
Yes
F. Has commented on what we learn
from the comparisons.
Yes
G. Has included suitable background
information in the introduction.
No
H. Has included a suitable summary
and position in the conclusion.
Yes
I. Has written 750 words (+/- 10%). Yes
USE OF SOURCES AND REFERENCING
J. Has a minimum of 2 sources per
paragraph.
Yes
K. Has in-text citations which follow
Harvard style. E.g. (Coughlan, 2014).
Yes
M. Has avoided plagiarism. Yes
USE OF ENGLISH
N. Writes accurate sentences. Yes
O. Spells and punctuates accurately. Yes
P. Uses a range of language. Yes
Q. Writes in an appropriate academic
style.
Yes
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Things you feel competent at (approx. 50 words):
The competency that I have with me is to present the things in the most suitable way. I was competent in
collecting data of different universities from the various countries and able to evaluate on different ground
effectively. I was competent enough in accessing the information collected related with quality of education
and the requirements of funds in Australia and England effectively.
Things you need to work on (approx. 50 words):
It become quite difficult in grasping the new languages for me (Hyland., 2011). While I face huge problems in
communicating with other students and educational professional of different countries. I also face problems in
displaying the accurate figures related with the financial figures and fee structure followed up in universities of
Australia and England.
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Section 2: Written Task
Academic Writing (750 words)
Please type your essay below (750 words). Your chosen country should be different from
the country you may have chosen in a previous term.
Make sure that:
 Your essay has an appropriate title, an introduction, two main body paragraphs, a
conclusion and a reference list.
 You have used at least 2 references (in-text citations) in each of your main body
paragraphs (at least 4 references in total).
 You have discussed BOTH countries in EACH of your main body paragraphs (point-by-
point approach).
Title: Compare and contrast the higher education system in England with that of Australia
in terms of funding and quality. Which system is preferable?
Introduction
Now a days the market scenario is very competitive, and the need of English has become one of the
most important aspect for academics. It is very must that every student must avail the knowledge of the
subject as well as the language (Hyland., 2011). The requirement has become so essential that all over the
world the language is been used. English has been declared the universal language, hence it has to be
incorporated in the academics of the school, universities as well as all the institutions. In this assignment the
structure of the fees that is been adopted by different universities of nations will be discussed. In this essay the
comparison of the universities of the two nation is to be carried out. The core understanding of the different
activities regarding the fees structure and the methods of the studies in the two countries Australia and
England will be studied. This easy will also help the students to opt the correct options of the institutions from
these two countries which is more supportive for them.
Main body
Country A- England
The learning and the teaching quality of the university of England is defined in various stages. They
follow certain steps as to improve the effectiveness of the learning. There are many policies that has been
declared by the university's head (F.M.S and Maher, 2010). The number of universities are there who are
having the problem regarding the implementation of the new fees structures. The inflation linked rates are also
increasing by the rate of 2.8% which can impact upon the raise in the fees more. It is very essential of the
universities to announce the upgraded changes regarding the fees before the session gets start. The teaching
methods are very effective and the problems are solved in the appropriate manner. The confusion is still there
regarding the structure if the fees in England By two of the universities The University of Kent and The Royal
Holloway. The fee structure of the England higher education is changed which directly affects students. The
critics has stated against the statement that as high the fees are the quality of the teaching will be according to
that. Due to this the question has been raised on the efficiency and capabilities of the lecturers. The
government has also announced various policies that the university has to follow and some which are not as
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much mandatory (James, 2014). While the quality of the study in England is more better and more practical as
compared to the quality of higher education in Australia.
Country B- Australia
The quality part of the learning and teaching is bit less compared to country A, there was many
situation took place where the lecturers face many issues related to the problem solving of the students
(Donohue and Erling, 2012). The universities introduces their own courses which many times are difficult and
the students faces problems in that (Biber and Gray, 2010). The Australia is filling an systematised system of
funding in their higher eduction. The teaching methods and approaches which are adopted by the Australian
universities is same as that of followed in the educational institutes of the England. Both are using new
technology to educate student but the Australia system of teaching is not strictly complying with the norms
and policies of the teaching and learning programme for the higher education which negatively affects the
quality of the education in Australia. While the reputation of the Australia universities are not good as much as
the education system if England is gained over the period. While the fee structure of the Australian universities
is also complex and having higher prices for the higher education which is not in affordable range of students.
The students are facing problem to accumulate such a large amount for studying in Australia. The education in
Australia is expensive as compared to study in England. Although techniques and approaches used in the
institutes and universities of both the countries are very much similar but there is great difference in
application of these techniques and approaches in practice.
Conclusion
This essay study concludes all the relative policies that are to be implemented in the universities of the
nation(UK). The necessity of the language and subject of English is been well defined. All the related fees
structure of the University of England are clearly described in this essay. We also studied the differences and
the similarities of two nations- England and Australia. The teaching and the learning pattern is also shared in
brief manner.
Reference List:
Hyland, K. ed., 2011. Continuum companion to discourse analysis. Bloomsbury Publishing.
F.M.S and Maher, S., 2010. Writing for academic purposes: Problems faced by Arab postgraduate students
of the college of business, UUM. ESP World. 9(2). pp.1-23.
James, M.A., 2014. Learning transfer in English-for-academic-purposes contexts: A systematic review of
research. Journal of English for Academic Purposes. 14. pp.1-13.
Donohue, J.P and Erling, E.J., 2012. Investigating the relationship between the use of English for academic
purposes and academic attainment. Journal of English for Academic Purposes. 11(3) pp.210-219.
Biber, D and Gray, B., 2010. Challenging stereotypes about academic writing: Complexity, elaboration,
explicitness. Journal of English for Academic Purposes. 9(1). pp.2-20.
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