EAPA3004 EAP 1 Portfolio: Academic Writing and Self-Assessment Skills

This EAP 1 portfolio assignment, part of the EAPA3004 course, focuses on developing essential academic writing skills. The portfolio includes a self-evaluation checklist to assess the student's abilities in areas like information retrieval, source usage, planning, and personal study. It features a summarizing task where the student analyzes and compares texts on university fees in England and Australia, highlighting similarities and differences. The assignment also encompasses outlining, paragraph structure analysis, and a final self-assessment. The core of the portfolio is a compare and contrast essay relevant to higher education, demonstrating the student's ability to synthesize information and articulate arguments effectively. The total word count includes both the written task and the evidence-based sections.

Purposes 1 (EAP 1) Portfolio (EAPA3004)
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
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
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.
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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)
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:
Text 1:
University fees in England
“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].
University fee in Australia
Australia according to research by HSBC is said to be the most expensive country for students who want to
study overseas in terms of university fee and cost of living. Which is more than $38,000 per year in which
university fee is around $25,375 and cost of living is $13,140. In the year 2017 this fee was slightly
reduced to $29,235 as compared to $28064 in 2016 which is about 4.2% (University fee in Australia,
2017). There are about 40 public and 1 private university in Australia providing a wide variety of degrees
form business to engineering and form history to arts. “But if any student form abroad wants to study in
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Australia there will not be only study cost but accommodation cost, living cost, food cost and
transportation cost associated with the study cost. All these cost are high as compared to other countries of
world” as said by Monica Lungu President of Editorial team Australia.
Many of the Australian Universities publish their tables of indicative fees structure on their websites but
not giving the idea of the extra living cost in Australia which the students need to pay. University of Bond
in Australia did not decrease their fee structure in all the said courses and will only be reducing some of
them like of post graduation courses and that of PhD students (Sultan, A.H and et.al., 2017). As the cost of
study is highest in Australia despite this it is having a higher international to local students' ratio than other
study destinations like Canada, UK and US. Government of Australia is also providing many scholarships
and grants to the students studying in Australia to support them financially in the country.
Regardless of the high study cost in Australia it is the most popular study destinations among the students
across the globe. There was an increase in the number of students in March 2017 by 15% more than the
year before after the decrease in the university fee structures.
Online
University fee in Australia, 2017 Assessed through <http://www.mastersportal.eu/articles/1589/study-
abroad-in-australia-tuition-fees-and-living-costs.html>
References
Sultan, A.H and et.al., 2017. An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International
Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female anorectal dysfunction. Neurourology
and urodynamics. 36(1). pp.10-34.
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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):
 The University fee in UK will be rising in the year 2017 to £9,250 per year from 2017 which is
applied to all the courses in the university.
 The government of UK however has set a limit of £9000 beyond which the universities are not
allowed to charge higher fee from students as said by Parliament.
 University of Kent and Royal Holloway have not decided yet that whether they will be
applying this increase of fee only to the new students applying to study or to current students
as well.
 University of Surrey will not be increasing fee for its current undergraduates but this will be
increased of all students from 2017 regardless of any course they are opting for.
 Whereas, in Australia this tuition fee or university fee structure was reported to decrease in
starting of year 2017 from $28064 which was $29235 in 2016 that is about 4.2%.
 Australia is said to be most expensive country in terms of study as compared to other countries
of world although university fee was reduced but the cost of living there are high.
 University of Bond was not ready to decrease this fee structure from this year of all the courses
and that of PhD students.
 Moreover, this decreased in the fee led to the increase in the number of students in March 2017
more than 15% from last year.
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?
Similarities-
The tuition fee of Australia and UK are almost same with an average difference of about $3000 only.
Many universities in both the countries are having flat fee structures and others like the big universities
are charging higher fee as compared to others. For the English speaking destinations for international
students the top are Australia, UK and US which all have similar fee levels. Australia and UK fee
structures are all affected by the exchange rates of Dollar and Pound. The value of education in both
the countries are very good as according to survey of HSBC based on parents view.
Dissimilarities-
In the year 2017 Australia brought down its university fee by 4.2% while
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UK raised the university fee by 2.8% in the same year.
Australia is the most expensive country in world for students who want to study aboard while
In UK cost of living is less than compared to that of Australia.
Compared to budget for the degree UK has lower than that of Australia in the most bachelor degrees,
master degrees and PhD or Doctorate.
The time taken for some course in UK are bachelor degree 3 years, master degree 1 year and PhD for 3
years while
In Australia it is different like bachelor degree is for 4 years, master degree of 2 years and PhD is for 4
years.
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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
University fee of England and Australia.
INT
RO
DU
CTI
ON
Background Information:
UK has increased the fee structures in year 2017 by 2.8%
While Australia has decreased it by 4.2%.
Thesis Statement:
Australia is the most expensive country in terms of study abroad while UK is the most preferred
country to study abroad.
MB
Paragra
ph 1
Paragraph Focus: Change in fee structures.
Country A: England Country B: Australia
In the year 2016 university fee was £9000
which raised up to £9250 per year in 2017.
While in year fee was decreased to $28064
form year 2016 which was $29235.
MB
Paragra
ph 2
Paragraph Focus: Changes in all universities.
Country A: England Country B: Australia
University of Kent and Royal Holloway decide to
increase the tuition fee for current as well as new
students. But University of Surrey was ready to
increase tuition fee of current students.
University of Bond did not decrease the fee
of all its course but only of post graduation
courses.
CON
CLU
SIO
N
Summary of main points
For greater and equal impact all the universities of both the country should follow the decision of
increase or decrease in tuition fee.
Recommendations/suggestions/predictions
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Click here to enter text.
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 (Australia): GREEN
Concluding sentence: ORANGE
In-text reference: PURPLE
Write your paragraph here. Then, colour the different parts.
Topic: Universities Fee Structures of England and Australia.
Country A: England
UK is increasing the fee of students for both the current and new one from the year 2017 by
2.8%. But not all the universities are ready to increase this fee as some say that they will be
not bothering current students and their fee will remain the same for the year 2017. It was
also set that this increase should not hinder the quality of teaching in the country as the
increase of 2.8% is not about teaching quality.
Country B: Australia.
Australia is decreasing the fee for the students studying here for current and new students
for year 2017 by 4.2%. As for the students studying in Australia the cost of living is very
much high so this decrease will not have a greater effects on the budgets. Then also there
was an increased of about 15% in first quarter of 2017 in the number of students coming
here.
Concluding:
Both the countries are always on the top list of the students who are willing to study abroad
irrespective of the increase or decrease in the fee structures. As the fee structures are
different in both the countries but then also UK and Australia are most popular countries of
the world. All the universities of UK and Australia are publishing their fee structures of all
course offered on their respective website but not mentioning the cost of living to students.
References:
Online
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
University fee in Australia, 2017 Assessed through
<http://www.mastersportal.eu/articles/1589/study-abroad-in-australia-tuition-fees-and-living-
costs.html>
Sultan, A.H and et.al., 2017. An International Urogynecological Association
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(IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female
anorectal dysfunction. Neurourology and urodynamics. 36(1). pp.10-34.
Click here to enter text.
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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 done as said.
B. Has a clear thesis statement that
states the sub-topics and position.
Yes done accordingly.
C. Has clear topic sentences in each
main body paragraph.
Yes understood the topic.
D. Has features of an essay not a
report, i.e. no headings, no bullet
points etc.
No there are bullet point in the report.
CONTENT
E. Has compared directly between
the two countries in each paragraph.
Yes compared.
F. Has commented on what we learn
from the comparisons.
Yes commented.
G. Has included suitable background
information in the introduction.
Yes included.
H. Has included a suitable summary
and position in the conclusion.
Yes done.
I. Has written 750 words (+/- 10%). Yes
USE OF SOURCES AND REFERENCING
J. Has a minimum of 2 sources per
paragraph.
Yes there were 2 to 3 sources
K. Has in-text citations which follow
Harvard style. E.g. (Coughlan, 2014).
Yes done.
M. Has avoided plagiarism. Yes no plagiarism.
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):
I felt that I'm very good and competent in writing and understanding the accurate sentences. And therefore
there are no or less chance of occurrence of plagiarism in my working. The use of source and in text
references and citations are also very good and I do not need to work on these. The above mentioned whole
topic was clearly understood by my self only and did not require any help or tutor
Things you need to work on (approx. 50 words):
I need to work on my use of language part as this is relatively weak and also on spelling and punctuation
part. I'm very weak in using tense and need to write the appropriate academic style. The destruct of the
report was no clear to me and needed the help of my tutor.
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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
Australia in terms of funding and quality. Which system is preferable?
INTRODUCTION:
If got a chance to study aboard will preferably choose England as there the cost of living and cost of
fee is lower than that of Australia. The cost of living and that of education in Australia is higher and
would go out of my budget so will not be preferring it. But the quality of education in both the
countries are good. The terms of funding in Australia will be higher than that of England. Australia is
more better then England in terms of education and living standard. But relatively costly.
BODY:
Australia is the country where all the student like to go if they are in search of good education and
living standard. As this is relatively very costly and education system of the country is also very
good. No matter of the advanced study cost in Australia it is the fewest favorite study destinations
within the educate crosswise the globe. Here was an addition in the figure of students in March
2017 by 15% more than the period earlier after the lessening in the university fee artefact.
UK is accretionary the fee of students for some the actual and fresh one from the period 2017 by
2.8%. Merely non all the educational institution are primed to gain this fee as few say that they will
be not trouble actual students and their fee will stay the aforesaid for the year 2017. It was besides
set that this modification should not prevent the quality of education in the country as the change
of 2.8% is not approximately instruction choice.
CONCLUSION:
Aforesaid the state are forever on the topmost listing of the students who are consenting to survey
foreign regardless of the alteration or drop-off in the fee make-up. As the fee structures are
different in both the nation but then also UK and Australia are about favourite countries of the
global. All the educational institution of UK and Australia are publication their fee structures of all
course of study offering on their several website but not mentioning the cost of living to students.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
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Sultan, A.H and et.al., 2017. An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International
Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female anorectal dysfunction.
Neurourology and urodynamics. 36(1). pp.10-34.
Online
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
University fee in Australia, 2017 Assessed through
<http://www.mastersportal.eu/articles/1589/study-abroad-in-australia-tuition-fees-and-living-
costs.html>
Reference List:
Click here to enter text.
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