English for Academic Purposes 2 Portfolio: Research and Essay

This EAP2 portfolio assignment showcases a student's development of academic skills throughout a course, including research, essay writing, and critical analysis. The portfolio includes a 'Where are you now?' self-assessment, a personal development plan (PDP) with SMART goals, and tasks on organizing ideas and evaluating sources. It culminates in an argumentative essay on the privatization of the NHS, supported by research and outlining the student's ability to paraphrase, summarise, and present arguments from different perspectives (economic and social). The portfolio also addresses skills like note-taking and referencing, providing a comprehensive overview of the student's progress in academic writing and research. The student has made use of various sources including books, journals, and online resources to support their arguments.

A18
English for Academic Purposes 2
(EAPB3017)
This is your English for Academic Purposes 2 e-portfolio which you must submit on Thvia 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 Page Learning
Outcome
Completed?
()
Portfolio Tasks
(These tasks should be developed throughout the term but completed by
1

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 ☐
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.
2

Skill This is new for
me
I need to
develop this
skill
I can improve
this skill
I can
do this
well
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
eek 1: Personal Development Plan (PDP): Specific – Measurable – Achievable – Realistic – Timescale [SM
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
I have the strength of focus and complete concentration while doing academic
research. I completely know all the key terms and is true to my ability.
2

Weaknesses
The weakness underlined by me was that I wasn't capable enough to carry out
correct sourcing in which my mentor helped me out. Another was the right format
was not clear to me.
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 t
topic/ideas of those
paragraphs
1 To have concrete and concise writing
material so as give better result
Every point should be in bullets The reader can grab va
of it
2 Ability to demonstrate accurately By creating awareness it could be overcome. Easily understandable
could be implemented
3
PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 3: Organising your ideas: Are my sources reliable?
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? Peedell Haldenby
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? Books Journals
Has it been verified in any way? Can it be
proved?
Yes Yes
Is there evidence to support this claim? Yes Yes
Was the source created to persuade, sell,
entertain, inform or for another
purpose?
No No
Is the content relevant to your research? Yes Yes
When was it published/last updated? 2011 2013
Does this impact its relevance or
objectivity?
Yes Yes
2

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.).
Peedell, C., 2011. Further privatisation is inevitable under the proposed NHS reforms. BMJ: British
Medical Journal. 342.
Haldenby, A., 2016. Delivering the 2015 spending review objective of successful NHS partnerships
with the private sector. Available through:
<http://www.reform.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Delivering-the-2015-Spending-Review-
objective-of-successful-NHS-partnerships-with-the-privatesector.pdf>
2

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
The overall impact of privatization of NHS
may have an extraordinary impact on the
economy from the perspective of new
physicians will incorporate and better
services will be provided. On the other
hand better facilities and prolonged services
will be ensured to the patients. NHS being
the biggest provider of employment from
economic view will integrate new and able
physicians and doctors from allover the
world to provide services to the general
public. It will increase economic structures
with more money flowing in the economy
and as such result in better GDP of the
country for the coming years. Thus
illuminating the dreadful factors of Brexit
(Hawkes, 2018)
From the perspective of economy, the
privatization of NHS will have a
dreadful impact as a result of which
public health will suffer. Through
employment of new doctors and
physicians who will demand more
money for routine checkups from the
needy and poor (Peedell, 2011). The
children and young people whose
health is the main concern for the
country will suffer the most. The
privatization is more of a political
factor than an economical issue.
Privatization of NHS will lead to a
decrease in the overall health care
system of the country which should
not happen (Haldenby, 2016)
Social
From the social point of view NHS should
be privatized due to the increasing
requirement to fund the healthcare system.
The NHS is not able to fund many of its
growing activities and requires private
funds to carry own its operations. When
compared to US whose health system is in
private hands critically distinguished a
public controlled health system and a
private controlled health system (Peedell,
2011). Another aspect to be taken into
consideration implies the private sector
may influence many physicians.
The counter argument hold strong as
privatization of NHS will have a bad
impact on the society. It will impact
the health care of old, sick and poor
people. The privatization of NHS will
definitely degrade the working of the
system as they will not work for any
object without any private motive.
Providing health facility will involve
more cost and low quality if NHS is
privatized. Pricing of medicines as
well as the cost on recruiting
physicians all will go higher. Such
increase in prices will affect the daily
checkups and implies cost to it. From
the society perspective, privatization
will lead to decrease in the quality of
service provided to the patients and
their well being will be affected
(Coyle, 2008).
Peedell, C., 2011. Further privatisation is inevitable under the proposed NHS reforms. BMJ: British
Medical Journal. 342.
Haldenby, A., 2016. Delivering the 2015 spending review objective of successful NHS partnerships
with the private sector. Available through:
2

<http://www.reform.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Delivering-the-2015-Spending-Review-
objective-of-successful-NHS-partnerships-with-the-privatesector.pdf>
Hawkes, N., 2018. Carillion’s toll on NHS. British Medical Journal. 360. p.k. 298.
Coyle, A., 2008. Going private: The implications of privatization for women's work. Feminist Review.
21(1). pp.5-23.
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):
The overall impact of privatization of NHS may have an extraordinary impact on the economy from
the perspective of new physicians will incorporate and better services will be provided. On the other
hand better facilities and prolonged services will be ensured to the patients (Cribb, 2008). NHS being
the biggest provider of employment from economic view will integrate new and able physicians and
doctors from all over the world to provide services to the general public. It will increase economic
structures with more money flowing in the economy and as such result in better GDP of the country
for the coming years. Thus illuminating the dreadful factors of Brexit (Peedell, 2011).
Arguments against (No):
From the perspective of economy, the privatization of NHS will have a dreadful impact as a result of
which public health will suffer. Through employment of new doctors and physicians who will demand
more money for routine checkups from the needy and poor (Cribb, 2008). The children and young
people whose health is the main concern for the country will suffer the most. The privatization is more
of a political factor than an economical issue. Privatization of NHS will lead to a decrease in the
overall health care system of the country which should not happen (Peedell, 2011)
2

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)
The NHS or the National Health Service is a leading health
care system of the United Kingdom. The NHS was founded by
Aneurin in the year 1948 after the second world war in the
United Kingdom. The children and women form the most
vulnerable group of society whose health is main concern for
the country. The NHS being the only system of health aid
needs to build a strong community of active staff who provides
aid as and when needed to any place or in any situation. The
main motive of NHS is to improve the health of the general
public in UK. The NHS is responsible for creating employment
for a large group of people all over UK. Currently employing
more than 14 lakhs of employees. The exit of UK from the
European union had affected the NHS by 11% of the staff has
left the job and mostly people were physicians.
What is the counter-argument of this issue?
(this is the opinion you do not agree with)
The counter argument hold strong as privatization of NHS will have a
bad impact on the society. It will impact the health care of old, sick and
poor people. The privatization of NHS will definitely degrade the
working of the system as they will not work for any object without any
private motive. Providing health facility will involve more cost and low
quality if NHS is privatized. Pricing of medicines as well as the cost on
recruiting physicians all will go higher. Such increase in prices will
affect the daily checkups and implies cost to it. From the society
perspective, privatization will lead to decrease in the quality of service
provided to the patients and their well being will be affected.
From the perspective of economy, the privatization of NHS will have a
dreadful impact as a result of which public health will suffer. Through
2

employment of new doctors and physicians who will demand more
money for routine checkups from the needy and poor. The children and
young people whose health is the main concern for the country will
suffer the most. The privatization is more of a political factor than an
economical issue. Privatization of NHS will lead to a decrease in the
overall health care system of the country which should not happen.
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?
From the social point of view NHS should be privatized due to the
increasing requirement to fund the healthcare system. The NHS is not
able to fund many of its growing activities and requires private funds to
carry own its operations. When compared to US whose health system is
in private hands critically distinguished a public controlled health system
and a private controlled health system. Another aspect to be taken into
consideration implies the private sector may influence many physicians.
In my argument the privatization of NHS will have an adverse impact on
the economy. As due to the exit of UK from the European union had an
adverse effect and now the privatization will lead to depreciate in the
social values of the community
The overall impact of privatization of NHS may have an extraordinary
impact on the economy from the perspective of new physicians will
incorporate and better services will be provided. On the other hand better
facilities and prolonged services will be ensured to the patients. NHS
being the biggest provider of employment from economic view will
integrate new and able physicians and doctors from allover the world to
provide services to the general public. It will increase economic
structures with more money flowing in the economy and as such result
in better GDP of the country for the coming years. Thus illuminating the
dreadful factors of Brexit.
In my context the economic perspective of privatization will lead to
inflation in the country, which implies increase in prices. The NHS is the
only public welfare sector which provides health facilities free of cost.
The Brexit has affected the UK economic conditions which had an
adverse effect on the economy already.
What can you conclude from this? What are the implications?
The above report concludes the various scenarios as how privatization of
NHS will affect the social and economic factors of UK. The National
health care services is a major public sector of UK who provides various
health care facilities at minimal cost. Its privatization will affect the
society as private sector cannot work without any profit motive. And
thus the cost of general health care will increase for the poor and needy.
The changes of economic factors as implementation of tax policies on
medicines which will automatically increase medical cost for patients
making an adverse effect on the economy of the country.
You should use at least 2 sources in this paragraph.
Benbow, D. I., 2018. With Great Power Comes Great
Responsibility”: Democracy, the Secretary of State for
Health and Blame Shifting Within the English National
2

Health Service. International Journal of Health Services.
p.0020731418766232.
Benbow, D. I., 2017. The sociology of health and the NHS.
Routledge.
Coyle, A., 2008. Going private: The implications of privatization
for women's work. Feminist Review. 21(1). pp.5-23.
Cribb, A., 2008. Organizational reform and health-care goods:
concerns about marketization in the UK NHS. Journal of
Medicine and Philosophy. 33(3). pp.221-240.
Haldenby, A., 2016. Delivering the 2015 Spending Review
objective of successful NHS partnerships with the private
sector. Alliance Medical.
Hawkes, N., 2018. Carillion’s toll on NHS. British Medical
Journal. 360. p.k. 298.
Peedell, C., 2011. Further privatisation is inevitable under the
proposed NHS reforms. BMJ: British Medical Journal. 342.
Online
NHS England. 2018. [Online]. Available through :
<https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/about-nhs-england/>
2

11

PORTFOLIO TASK
Making notes with confidence
This is an in-class activity. Please upload a photo of your notes here.
12