The Communications Toolkit contains practical advice, tips and strategies to enable learners to develop the communication skills needed to be successful students. The text helps students make a successful transition to tertiary studies, develop effective research skills for their discipline, approach academic writing with confidence, refine their writing skills, and enhance their face-to-face communication experience. This new edition includes more information than ever on active listening and dealing with conflict, while taking into account the changing nature of university studies as more and more students study and take courses online. New examples of online students’ communication work and new coverage of the communication challenges students face when going to university via an online channel deals with this diversity. The direct, inclusive, motivational and student-friendly text addresses both individual students and those working in seminar or workshop groups, and provides activities for both types of student throughout the book. The new CourseMate Express website offers students resources for learning and revision, making this the strongest communications textbook in the market today. Cover Half Title page Title page Imprint page Contents Foreword About the authors Acknowledgements Before you read this book Guide to the text Guide to the online resources Part 1: Transitioning to tertiary studies Chapter 1: Making the transition Your first months as a tertiary student Respecting diversity Mature-aged students English-language proficiency New international students Communicating with members of staff Challenges you might face Chapter 2: Developing effective study skills Study skills Reading skills Note-making skills Active listening Preparing for exams Part 2: Research skills Chapter 3: Identifying appropriate resources Choosing a topic Before you start researching Search tools A word on primary research Secondary research Chapter 4: Evaluating your resources Why evaluate a text? Relevance Reliability Additional hints for evaluating a webpage New types of text Chapter 5: Referencing Getting started on referencing Why reference? How to reference Paraphrasing and quoting Academic honesty Part 3: Academic writing Chapter 6: Approaches to writing Assumptions and biases Improving your writing The writing process The discourse of your discipline Chapter 7: Reflective writing Thinking at university What is reflective thinking? How can you learn to write reflectively? Reflection for first-year students Final words from our students Chapter 8: Report writing What is a report? Report types Compiling the report Researching the report Writing the report Editing Chapter 9: Academic essay writing The academic essay Early research Developing your argument Writing your essay Editing and proofreading your essay Chapter 10: Some other tertiary genres Introduction to tertiary genres The summary The synthesis The annotated bibliography The literature review The case study Part 4: Refining your writing Chapter 11: Two principles of good academic writing Principles of successful academic writing Principle 1: The KISS principle – keep it simple, students! Principle 2: Make it formal, where appropriate Chapter 12: Grammar, punctuation and spelling The writing process Why worry about grammar? Grammar Punctuation Spelling Common difficulties for students for whom English is an additional language Part 5: Face-to-face communication Chapter 13: Interpersonal skills Active listening Feedback Small talk Working with people with a disability Negotiation Successful meetings Chapter 14: Intercultural communication Key concepts The tertiary environment Inclusive communication A final word on respect Chapter 15: Teamwork Teams and groups Research into teamwork Friendship teams and organised teams Benefits of working in teams Conflicts in teams Team roles Successful teams Working in teams Chapter 16: Presentations Presenting in tertiary environments Content Structure Audience interaction Non-verbal language Presentation aids Team presentations Chapter 17: How far you’ve come! Where to from here? Reflective and critical thinking Time management Engagement Confidence Two final notes from us And final words from three students Index
