EAP 1 Portfolio (EAPA3004) - Academic Writing and Self-Evaluation

This EAP 1 portfolio (EAPA3004) showcases a student's development of academic writing skills. It includes a self-evaluation checklist, summarizing tasks comparing university fees in England and Northern Ireland, an outline for a compare and contrast essay, and a paragraph structure exercise. The core of the portfolio is a compare and contrast essay (750 words) focusing on higher education in England and Northern Ireland, with a focus on funding and quality. The portfolio also contains evidence of work completed throughout the semester, such as notes, outlines, and self-assessment. This comprehensive portfolio demonstrates the student's ability to produce cohesive and coherent academic writing and to read, compare, and summarize academic texts.

English for Academic Purposes 1 (EAP 1)
Portfolio (EAPA3004)
Name:
Student Number:
Tutor name:
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.)
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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
6 Portfolio evidence IV: Paragraph structure
(recommended word count: 250)
7 LO 2
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
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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 ☐ ☐ ☐ 
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)
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:
Text 1:
University fees in England
Text 2 (paste your text below):
University fees in Northern Ireland
“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].
The Universities of Northern Ireland Can charged up to
£4,030 as tuition fees. There are no regulations stating how
many universities can charge in tuition fees for part-time
courses. Students should check with their university or
college for details on the fees for part-time courses.
Students of Northern Ireland may face variations in tuition
fees of private universities and colleges as the tuition fees
are different for different colleges. Northern Ireland's
purse-strings are currently being controlled by a top civil
servant because a budget for the 2017/18 financial year had
not been agreed by the Executive before the Assembly
collapsed earlier this year. The maximum tuition fee for
Northern Ireland and European Union domiciles studying at
local higher education institutions will remain static, subject
only to inflationary increases up to the 2017/18 academic
year. Mr McCormick additionally said the postgraduate loan
scheme will also be available for eligible students. You will
be responsible for funding the difference in the
additional cost of your tuition fees. You will need
to find out what tuition fees are charged by the
private institution and what tuition fee loan
support is available. Contact the Student
Finance NI team in the Education Authority
office in your area before you start the course. If
you live in the Republic of Ireland and hope to
start a degree course in Northern Ireland in
2017-2018 the maximum fee will be £4,030.
Students from ROI (and other non-UK EU
countries) can apply to the Student Finance
Services European Team for a loan of up to
£4,030 to cover the tuition fee:
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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): Notes (Text 2):
 Tuition fees of England universities will rise
up to £9250.
 Due to rise in inflation tuition fees will rise
up to 2.8% crossing £10000.
 This will not implement on current
undergraduates.
 The new enrolled students of 2017 have to
pay the high tuition fees.
 Removal of maintenance grants will almost
certainly deter poorer students, who now
face debts of over £50,000 on graduation
 Tuition Fees of Northern Ireland is £4030.
 There are no regulation stating
universities can charge in tuition
fees.
 Postgraduate loan facility will be
available for eligible students.
 Tuition fees varies from institution
to institution.
3.Answer the question in part 3 below, using your notes.
PART 3:
What are the similarities and differences between universities in England and Northern Ireland.
In relation to tuition fees? Why are they important?
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Similarities: The quality of education provided by both the countries are partly similar.
Differences: The tuition fees of higher education in England is more than the Tuition fees of
Northern Ireland.
The tuition fees represents the quality of education provided by the universities. Thus, it is very
important for higher education to establish structure of tuition fees efficiently
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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).
TITL
E
Higher Education in England and Northern Ireland
INT
RO
DU
CTI
ON
Background Information:
The higher education of England offers various of courses and qualifications such as first degrees,
Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), and foundation degrees. The roles and responsibility of the
department of higher education division is to formulate policy and administer funding to support
education in the Northern Ireland.
Thesis Statement:
In accordance with this context, this essay will compare the funding and quality of higher
education in both the countries.
MB
Par
agr
aph
1
Paragraph Focus: Funding.
Country A: England Country B: Northern Ireland..
The Higher Education Funding Council for
England (HEFCE) is mainly responsible for funding
the universities and colleges established across
England.
Public funding plays an important role in
generating funds in the higher education
system of the Northern Ireland.
MB
Par
agr
aph
2
Paragraph Focus: Quality.
Country A: England Country B: Northern Ireland.
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher
Education in England (QAA) safeguard standards
and improve the quality of England higher
education wherever it is offered around the
world.
Higher Education Quality Assurance
department established in Northern Ireland,
that governs and monitor the quality of
higher education provided in the country.
CO
NCL
USI
ON
Summary of main points
Higher education of England is more effective than the higher education system of Northern
Ireland.
Recommendations/suggestions/predictions
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It is suggested and recommended to the authorities of Northern Ireland to innovate new policies
in order to improve the quality and funding of higher education universities and colleges in the
country.
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 (Northern
Ireland:
GREEN
Concluding sentence: ORANGE
In-text reference: PURPLE
Write your paragraph here. Then, colour the different parts.
Higher Education funding in England and Northern Ireland
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is mainly responsible for funding the universities
and colleges established across England. The non departmental public body is obliged to provide ample
amount of fund so that universities and higher educational institution can work progressively. This body was
established in 1992 under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992(Raffe and Croxford, 2015). The UK’s
world-class universities are at the forefront of our economic recovery. Higher Education Funding Council for
England is the legal principal regulator for different universities operating in the boundaries of England.
With the help of charities and other non governmental organisations, the council generate ample amount of
funds which are required in order to fulfil the needs and provide effective education to the desired
candidates (Zhang, Larkin and Lucey, 2017). The higher education system of England is one of the
renowned and popular education system in the world. The level of education provided by the universities of
England is far above than other countries in the world. Public funding plays an important role in generating
funds in the higher education system of the Northern Ireland. Approximately 40% of income of higher
education comes from public funding. The tuition fees are currently capped in the Northern Ireland
around £3700 per year. As compared to this the tuition fees of England universities were capped around
£6000 per year. From this it can be stated that higher education in Northern Ireland is cheap as compared
to higher education from England(Redpath and et.al., 2013). From this it can be understood that getting
higher education from Ireland is far cheaper and cost saviour then getting higher education from colleges
and universities of England. The higher education system of England offers various courses and degrees
which helps in growth and development of student. The degrees and courses offered by Northern Ireland
Higher Education system is limited (Boud, Cohen and Sampson, 2014)
In the above essay, funding and quality of higher education of England and Northern Ireland has been
discussed. From the above essay it can be understood that higher education of England is more effective
than the higher education system of Northern Ireland.
References
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Boud, D., Cohen, R. and Sampson, J. eds., 2014. Peer learning in higher education: Learning from
and with each other. Routledge.
Raffe, D. and Croxford, L., 2015. How stable is the stratification of higher education in England and
Scotland?. British Journal of Sociology of Education. 36(2). pp.313-335.
Redpath, J. and et.al., 2013. A qualitative study of the lived experiences of disabled post-transition
students in higher education institutions in Northern Ireland. Studies in Higher
Education. 38(9). pp.1334-1350.
Zhang, Q., Larkin, C. and Lucey, B. M., 2017. The economic impact of higher education
institutions in Ireland: evidence from disaggregated input–output tables. Studies in Higher
Education. 42(9). pp.1601-1623
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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 it contains clear structure including an introduction,
body paragraphs, conclusion
B. Has a clear thesis statement that
states the sub-topics and position.
Yes the essay has clear thesis statement
C. Has clear topic sentences in each
main body paragraph.
Yes, the topic sentence in each body paragraph was clear.
D. Has features of an essay not a
report, i.e. no headings, no bullet
points etc.
Yes, it has no headings, no bullet points etc.
CONTENT
E. Has compared directly between
the two countries in each paragraph.
Yes two countries i.e. England and Northern Ireland has been
compared.
F. Has commented on what we learn
from the comparisons.
Yes it has commented on what we learn from the comparisons.
G. Has included suitable background
information in the introduction.
Yes, background information has been provided
H. Has included a suitable summary
and position in the conclusion.
Yes a brief synopsis has been provided
I. Has written 750 words (+/- 10%). Yes the essay word count is 750
USE OF SOURCES AND REFERENCING
J. Has a minimum of 2 sources per
paragraph.
Yes Has a minimum of 2 sources per paragraph.
K. Has in-text citations which follow
Harvard style. E.g. (Coughlan, 2014).
Yes it has in-text citations which follow Harvard style.
M. Has avoided plagiarism. Yes Has avoided plagiarism.
USE OF ENGLISH
N. Writes accurate sentences. Yes accurate sentences were framed.
O. Spells and punctuates accurately. Yes Spells and punctuates appropriately used
P. Uses a range of language. Yes, uses a range of language
Q. Writes in an appropriate academic
style.
Yes, written in appropriate style
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Things you feel competent at (approx. 50 words):
The things which I feel competent about my commitment and comprehension skills. It helps me in
completing the portfolio effectively and efficiently. With the help of these skills, I was able to accomplish
my desired goals and objectives.
Things you need to work on (approx. 50 words):
The areas which required improvements are writing and understanding skills. These skills required
improvements in order to increase my efficiency and effectiveness. With the help of effective writing and
understanding skills I will able to increase my efficiency and effectiveness.
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Section 2: Written Task
Academic Writing (750 words)
Please type your essay below (750 words).
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
Northern Ireland in terms of funding and quality. Which system is preferable?
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Introduction
Higher Education is the optional stage of learning
and acquiring education that occurs after
completion of secondary education. The higher
education of England offers various of courses and
qualifications such as first degrees, Higher National
Diplomas (HNDs), and foundation degrees. The roles
and responsibility of the department of higher
education division is to formulate policy and
administer funding to support education in the
Northern Ireland. In accordance with this context,
this essay will compare the funding and quality of
higher education in both the countries.
Funding
The Higher Education Funding Council for
England (HEFCE) is mainly responsible for funding
the universities and colleges established across
England. The non departmental public body is
obliged to provide ample amount of fund so that
universities and higher educational institution can
work progressively. This body was established in
1992 under the Further and Higher Education Act
1992 (Raffe and Croxford, 2015). The UK’s world-
class universities are at the forefront of our
economic recovery. Higher Education Funding
Council for England is the legal principal regulator
for different universities operating in the boundaries
of England. With the help of charities and other non
governmental organisations, the council generate
ample amount of funds which are required in order
to fulfil the needs and provide effective education to
the desired candidates. The higher education system
of England is one of the renowned and popular
education system in the world. The level of
education provided by the universities of England is
far above than other countries in the world. Public
funding plays an important role in generating funds
in the higher education system of the Northern
Ireland. Approximately 40% of income of higher
education comes from public funding.
1

The tuition fees are currently capped in the
Northern Ireland around £3700 per year. As
compared to this the tuition fees of England
universities were capped around £6000 per year.
From this it can be stated that higher education in
Northern Ireland is cheap as compared to higher
education from England (Redpath and et.al., 2013).
From this it can be understood that getting higher
education from Ireland is far cheaper and cost
saviour then getting higher education from colleges
and universities of England. The higher education
system of England offers various courses and
degrees which helps in growth and development of
student. The degrees and courses offered by
Northern Ireland Higher Education system is limited.
Quality
The higher education system are
independent and self governing both in England and
Northern Ireland. The Quality Assurance Agency for
Higher Education in England (QAA) safeguard
standards and improve the quality of England higher
education wherever it is offered around the world.
The independent and non for profit organisation aim
to improve the quality of higher education by
establishing standards and quality codes so that the
efficient and effective level of knowledge and
education to be provided to the youth and young
generation of the country (Boud, Cohen, R. and
Sampson, 2014). They offer subject specific
guidance in their Subject Benchmark Statements in
which specific courses are developed in order to
increase the skills, knowledge and competencies of
students. Thus, it implies that the quality of higher
education of England is efficient enough that helps
in effective growth and development of students
and also promotes the universities and colleges
worldwide. This helps in increase of foreign students
that further helps in growth in national economy.
As compared to this, Higher Education
Quality Assurance department established in
2

Northern Ireland, that governs and monitor the
quality of higher education provided in the country
(Higher education quality assurance, 2017). The
department aim to implements new approach to
quality assessment that will help the students to
develop effective competencies and skills in them
(Zhang, Larkin and Lucey, 2017). The revised
approach is designed to be proportionate, risk-based
and grounded in the mission and context of an
individual university or college and the composition
of its student body.
Conclusion
In the above essay, funding and quality of higher
education of England and Northern Ireland has been
discussed. From the above essay it can be
understood that higher education of England is more
effective than the higher education system of
Northern Ireland. The quality and funding of England
higher education system is developed enough to
provide effective and efficient level of education to
the respective students. Northern Ireland requires
more efforts and policies in order to compete with
the higher education system of England. It is
suggested and recommended to the authorities of
Northern Ireland to innovate new policies in order to
improve the quality and funding of higher education
universities and colleges in the country.
3