Description
The assessed report is your chance to investigate and explore an English language topic or issue of your particular interest. It is an opportunity to analyse an issue or observation which you have made about English language found within, for example, language in use, the media, film and literature, advertisements, Higher Education, government policy or academic debate. This report should include a high degree of critical thinking related to your own understanding of the issues surrounding English language and a degree of reflexivity concerning your own position as an observer/researcher and English speaker.
How does the report relate to semester 1 of the module?
The report should ideally include links to at least one of the topics and critical literature which have been or will be covered in semester 1. Thus, you are encouraged to cover a topic related to one of the themes covered in semester 1. This includes: ‘Nativespeakerism’, ‘Language & Identity’, ‘Critical Discourse Analysis’, ‘Language & Gender’, ‘Hate Speech’, ‘Language as Resistance’, ‘Accents/Dialects’ or ‘Language & Ideology’. Your report should draw upon some of the theory you have encountered in semester 1 to support your analysis. For example, this could include consideration of how certain types of English language are privileged over other types, or you might apply ‘CDA’ to a particular text to explore the underlying ideology of the writer(s). You could also undertake a report that includes a personal perspective which, for example, considers issues with your own experience of using English in different or specific contexts.
Can students include their own experiences?
Yes, and as stated above, the assessed report allows you to focus on an issue which may be relevant to your own experiences with English language. This could be reflected in the topic you choose to explore in the lives of others or could also include sections in your report where you reflect on your own experiences with English.
What format should be followed in report writing?
This assignment will follow a basic format with common elements found in a report format which are as follows:
Cover page: An abstract and contents page is not required
Introduction: Identification of the main issue or topic along with your reasons for choosing this topic.
Main Section: Details of the issue/observation of English language in practice which should include links to critical literature.
Discussion: Your analysis of the issue with further links to critical literature. This section should consider some of the bigger issues that this topic connects with.
Conclusion: Suggestions for future research and concluding thoughts.
References: An alphabetised list of sources used referenced in Harvard Style. These are not included in the word count.
Appendices: The appendices, if needed, will not be included in the word count.
