English Language and Study Skills for Mathematics (EAP115) 2023-2024, Year 2, Semester 2
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EAP115 Project (Writing Coursework) Task Sheet V12 [Student]
Assignment:
Write a Problem-Solution-Evaluation (PSE) essay (800 ±10% words)
Task:
Write a PSE essay to describe, introduce, and evaluate one solution to one negative effect (problem)
of:
1. Global ageing (data set 1) 2. Global inflation rates (data set 2)
Core Task Requirements
All core task requirements must be fulfilled. Failure to fulfil any of the core task requirements
means a points deduction from the EAP115 Project grade. You may fail if your essay does not meet
all the core task requirements.
You must:
a. write a PSE essay about one of the topics (1-2) listed above.
b. include all relevant sections: Introduction, Problem, Solution, Evaluation, Conclusion, and
the Reference List.
c. include section headings for each section of your PSE essay.
d. write 800 words (±10% words excluding any titles, section headings and the reference list)
with all components of the essay addressed in the correct section.
e. use a minimum of 7, appropriate academic English language sources, including the relevant
data set included on pages 7-8 of this task sheet for the chosen topic.
f. cite and reference all sources using the XJTLU Harvard Referencing System.
Assessment Details
• Assessment Type: Individual
• Learning Outcomes assessed: B, D, E
• Percentage of Module Mark: 60% (Writing component = 40%)
• Where and when to submit: Upload to the designated Dropbox on the EAP115 LMO Core’s
Assessment page before 12:00 on Thursday 2nd May (Week 10).
Please remember that Dropbox submissions cannot be changed once the submission deadline has
passed. It is the responsibility of the student to check that the correct file is submitted and that it
can be opened.
English Language and Study Skills for Mathematics (EAP115) 2023-2024, Year 2, Semester 2
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Key Dates for Project (Writing Coursework) Task:
A. Distribution of Project task sheet: Semester 1, Class 13B
✓ In-Class Test 3 (submission of a Source Integration Chart (SIC)): Semester 2, Class
3B
B. Peer review: Class 5A
✓ In-Class Test 3 (feedback returned): before Class 5B
C. First draft submission deadline: Week 6 (12:00 on Monday 1st April)
D. First draft feedback returned: Week 8 (Friday 19th April)
E. First draft feedback individual tutorial: Week 9
F. Final draft submission deadline: Week 10 (12:00 on Thursday 2nd May)
*For key dates related to the Project SCW Task, please refer to the EAP115 Project Task Sheet or the
EAP115 Project SCW Task Sheet.
Formatting Requirements
All written assignments must use these formatting standards:
• Create and save the essay in a .doc or .docx format
• Filename: EAP115-ProjectWCW-Student ID number (e.g. EAP115-ProjectWCW-3030609)
• Line space: 1.5
• Word font: Calibri
• Font size: 12 points
• Include page numbers
Note: It is also your responsibility to download your submitted file and check if the submission is a
readable file. You may receive 0% for this assessment if there is a technical issue opening your
submission created using WPS or other unacceptable formats.
English Language and Study Skills for Mathematics (EAP115) 2023-2024, Year 2, Semester 2
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Further Details
Essay Requirements
It is recommended that your essay should be written using the following structure:
• Introduction: Introduce the problem in the opening sentence, and provide general
background information by potentially including a definition of the topic, some potential
causes of the problem or the historical context resulting in this problem. It is recommended
to have at least one citation in the introduction, preferably related to the cause of the
problem which you will focus on. A valid thesis statement must be present to indicate the
outline of the essay at the end of your introduction.
– The suggested word count for the Introduction section is no more than 100 words.
• Problem: Introduce and describe one negative effect of the problem you have identified
based on the theme of Global Ageing or Global Inflation Rates. When using the provided
data set, include a brief description of the data and then draw attention to the key points
or relevant trends in the data set. A clear topic sentence must be included to show the
purpose of this section. Supporting details, such as evidence and examples, must be cited.
– The suggested word count for the Problem section is around 200 words.
• Solution: Based on your research and knowledge, describe and explain one solution to the
one negative effect of the problem identified earlier. A clear topic sentence must be
included to indicate the purpose of this section. Supporting details, such as evidence and
examples, must be cited.
– The suggested word count for the Solution section is around 150 words.
• Evaluation: Based on your research and knowledge, discuss how effectively this one
solution deals with the negative effect of the problem identified earlier. Evaluate this
solution by describing at least one advantage and at least one disadvantage, including
supporting details such as examples and evidence to support your points. You must include
a clear topic sentence to show the purpose of this section, or two individual topic sentences
if separated into two smaller sections.
– The suggested word count for the Evaluation section is around 200 words.
• Conclusion: A valid restated thesis statement should be offered before providing a brief
summary of the main points of your essay. A closing statement to clearly show your stance
and if you actually believe this solution is appropriate or not is required.
– The suggested word count for the Conclusion section is no more than 100 words.
English Language and Study Skills for Mathematics (EAP115) 2023-2024, Year 2, Semester 2
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Suggestions
Task:
• Read the Core Task Requirements on Page 1 and Essay Requirements on Page 3 very
carefully to complete this task.
• Find and analyse a number of academic sources relating to the topic. Cite these sources to
support your main ideas with details, reasons, explanations or examples throughout your
essay (excluding the conclusion).
• Organise your ideas clearly and logically. Plan carefully before attempting to write your
essay.
– Pay attention to the difference between the Solution and Evaluation sections.
• Informal sources such as Wikipedia, About.com, UKEssays.com, Prezi, Slideshare etc., or
sources not originally produced in English will not be accepted. If you are unsure about
the suitability of a source, check with your EAP115 lecturer or review materials from
Semester 1, Week 1 here.
• When describing the relevant data set, your aim should be to illustrate the problem clearly
and intelligently to your reader. To do this, focus on the relevant sections of the data and
explain the important trends, rather than list all the numbers on the graph. Also, consider
how to present figures and data differently from how they appear on the data set.
Organisation:
• Cohesion between the introduction, sections of the essay, and the conclusion should be
achieved by including:
– an identifiable thesis statement at the very end of the introduction should
indicate the focus and structure of your essay.
– a restated thesis statement at the beginning of the conclusion should align
with your thesis statement.
– clear topic sentences for each section of the essay should highlight the
specific focus of that section. A citation should not be included in an
appropriate topic sentence.
• When citing sources, try to include a range of source integration techniques, including
integral and non-integral citations. Similarly, when using integral citations, ensure that you
utilise a range of appropriate and accurate reporting verbs.
• The quality of paraphrased content from sources.
– Completing the Project Source Integration Chart will help to ensure that
content from sources is paraphrased.
English Language and Study Skills for Mathematics (EAP115) 2023-2024, Year 2, Semester 2
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Language:
• Use a range of linking words (e.g. ‘In addition, For instance, However, Firstly’).
• Follow the academic register in terms of lexical choices and grammatical structures.
• Follow academic writing style guidelines introduced in Y1 EAP.
General:
• Refer to relevant feedback from previous EAP assessments related to your academic
writing. Try to correct any issues that you are already aware of.
• Consider attending EAP115 Continuing Support (CS) sessions that relate to the EAP115
Project or academic skills that you wish to develop and improve.
– Pay attention to announcements on the EAP115 LMO page.
• Proofread your work for errors before submitting it using Marking Mate and Grammarly.
• After submission, check to see that your essay has been uploaded successfully by
downloading your document again and opening it.
Marking and Feedback
• The final draft will be assessed using the EAP115 writing marking descriptor included on
pages 9-10 of this task sheet.
• You will receive an individual feedback checklist on the first draft of this essay at the end
of Week 8. You must use this information to prepare questions for the individual tutorial
sessions in Week 9 where you may ask your lecturer questions to help understand how to
further improve your Project WCW first draft before the final submission deadline in Week
10.
• An assessment report for the Project will provide general feedback to all students after
the exam moderation is complete and marks are released.
English Language and Study Skills for Mathematics (EAP115) 2023-2024, Year 2, Semester 2
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Academic Integrity and Late Penalties
Your assignment must be all your own work.
Academic Integrity penalties range from a 5% deduction to an award of 0% and will apply for
instances of:
• Plagiarism
– Uncited information from sources
• Collusion or copying
– Identical or very similar to that of another student
• Self-plagiarism
– The submitted work has been previously submitted by the same student in a
different module or previous semester
• A missing reference list
The information needed for creating in-text citations and references for the provided data set is
provided on the following pages of this task sheet.
• You must cite and reference any sources you include using the XJTLU Harvard
Referencing system. This means that you must include in-text citations or use quotation
marks around directly quoted material, and include a complete reference list at the end
of your work.
• Your citations and reference list should show where the support came from and also
allow the reader to check the original content when needed.
• You should paraphrase, summarise or synthesize ideas and data you use from the
sources.
Please refer to the XJTLU Academic Integrity Policy on the EAP115 Core Learning Mall module page
for further details.
The University uses the online software Turnitin to check your assignments for possible plagiarism
and collusion.
Lateness
• For assessed assignments, the XJTLU policy is -5% per working day up to a total of 25%.
• Work submitted more than 5 working days late will receive a score of 0%. A paper will not
be penalised below an overall mark of 40% for lateness unless it is submitted more than
five working days late.
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Data set 1:
• You must use and cite
the data relevant to
your chosen topic.
• You can use the
following information
to help you create the
in-text citations and
references following
the XJTLU Harvard
Referencing Guide.
Title: The Rising Ratio
Author: Visual Capitalist
Year: 2020
Available: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/aging-populations.jpg
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Data set 2:
• You must use and cite the data relevant to
your chosen topic.
• You can use the following information to
help you create the in-text citations and
references following the XJTLU Harvard
Referencing Guide.
Title: U.S. inflation rate has almost quadrupled
over past two years, but in many other countries,
it’s risen even faster
Author: PEW Research Center
Year: 2022
Available: https://www.pewresearch.org/shortreads/2022/06/15/in-the-u-s-and-around-theworld-inflation-is-high-and-getting-higher/ft_22-
06-08_globalinflation_2/
EAP115 AY 23-24 Marking Descriptor for Writing Tasks
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Task 1 (Ideas and sources)
Task 2 (Source integration
& paraphrasing)
Organisation Vocabulary Grammar
12.5
All ideas are extensively developed and
supported using a wide range of academic
sources. The essay displays evidence of indepth analysis and/or critical thinking skills.
Sources integration is
sophisticated. There may be
attempts to synthesize sources. An
extensive range of reporting verbs
is used successfully.
25
Any instances of over-, under-, or misuse of
cohesive features occur only as slips.
There are no errors with connotation.
Other errors occur only as slips.
Rare errors or awkward wording occur only
as slips.
10
All sections of the essay and main ideas are
developed and supported using relevant
information from a range of academic
sources.
Various integration techniques are
used successfully. A range of
reporting verbs is used to good
effect, with only minor errors.
20
There is strong cohesion between intro,
topic sentences, and conclusion, and within
and between paragraphs. Uses a wide range
of cohesive features, and instances of over-,
under-, or misuse are rare and minor.
Uses a wide range of lexis with some
precision. The vast majority of
sentences are error free, and any errors
with lexis and academic style are minor.
The vast majority of sentences are error
free, and any errors are minor. Wording is
only occasionally awkward.
7.5
Most sections of the essay and main ideas
are reasonably developed and supported
using relevant information from
appropriate, academic sources. There is
some evidence of critical thinking skills (e.g.
analysis of data; evaluation of the solution).
More than one integration
technique has been used
successfully. A range of reporting
verbs is used to mostly good effect
with only occasional misuse.
Paraphrasing is successful.
15
Uses a range of cohesive features. Over-,
under-, or misuse is rare and minor. There
may be cohesive links between paragraphs.
Lexical range is wide, allowing for
frequent reformulation as appropriate.
Most sentences are error free.
Uses a wide range of complex structures.
Most sentences are error free, although
sometimes awkward. Errors are minor.
5
The response is directly relevant to the task
and achieves all Core Task Requirements.
Sections of the essay and main ideas are
generally developed and supported using
mostly relevant information from
appropriate, academic sources.
Source integration techniques are
repetitive. Reporting verbs may be
repetitive with instances of misuse.
Paraphrasing is largely successful.
10
There is cohesion between intro, topic
sentences, and conclusion. Uses a range of
cohesive features with some over-, under-,
or misuse, but errors do not reduce clarity.
Lexical range is wide enough to allow
some reformulation as appropriate.
Errors with lexis and academic style may
be frequent but do not reduce clarity.
Range of complex structures allows for a
variety of sentence lengths. Errors and
awkward wording may be frequent but do
not reduce clarity. Basic errors are rare.
2.5
The essay is partially addressed and not all
Core Task Requirements are achieved. An
insufficient number of academic sources are
used to develop this essay. Some ideas may
be inadequately and/or illogically developed.
An attempt has been made to
integrate sources. Reporting verbs
are often missing or misused.
Paraphrasing is somewhat
successful. There are no more than
50 words total of direct quotes.
5
There is an identifiable thesis statement.
Cohesion between intro, topic sentences,
and conclusion is weak. Paragraphs have
clear central topics, and ideas are
coherently arranged. Uses a range of
cohesive features but with some over-,
under-, or misuse.
Lexical range includes topic-specific
lexis. Errors with lexis and academic
style are frequent, but rarely reduce
clarity.
Range of complex structures is wide
enough to avoid frequent repetition.
Errors and awkward wording are frequent,
but rarely reduce clarity. There are only
occasional basic errors.
EAP115 AY 23-24 Marking Descriptor for Writing Tasks
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0 The essay is not relevant to the task.
There was no attempt to integrate
sources.
0
Thesis statement and topic sentences may
be missing. Cohesion between intro, topic
sentences, and conclusion is poor.
Paragraphs may lack coherence.
Topic-specific lexis may be missing,
and/or errors often reduce clarity.
Range of complex structures may be
limited, and/or errors often reduce clarity.
Point Deductions:
• Off-topic response: 100 points
• Under word limit: 5 points
• Over word limit: 5 points for each 10% over
Academic Integrity Penalties:
• AI A – citations/reference list errors: 5 points
• AI B – small amount of source material uncited/unacknowledged: 10 points
• AI C – extensive amount of source material uncited/unacknowledged: 100 points
Late Penalties:
• 5% per working day up to a total of 25%
• Work submitted more than 5 working
days late will receive a score of 0%.

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