Resources

Interactive modules | Learning Guides | Referencing | Effective Powerpoint Design | Other Online Resources | Library Books & Resources

Interactive modules in your MyUni courses

Writing and Speaking at Uni
Interactive modules to help you develop your written and oral communication skills in essay, paragraph and sentence writing and oral presentations. University login required.

ALL Learning guides

Download a learning guide on one of these study topics:

   Avoiding Plagiarism (pdf 75kB)
  Editing Your Own Work (pdf 92kB)
  Exam Preparation (pdf 77kB)
  Making Notes (pdf 81kB)
  Managing Your Time (pdf 92kB)
  Participating in Tutorials (pdf 65kB)
  Reading Effectively (pdf 142kB)
  Writing a Research Report (pdf 85kB)
  Writing an Abstract (pdf 84kB)
  Writing Article Reviews & Bibliographies (pdf 72kB)
  Writing Essays (pdf 150kB)

Give us feedback on these guides: submit an online feedback form.

Referencing

Referencing is an essential part of all academic writing and presentation. There are a number of different referencing systems to choose from. The Barr Smith Library provides links to referencing style guides and useful information on how and when to use references which are reproduced below.

The two most commonly used systems are author-date or numerical systems. The Harvard and the APA (American Psychological Association) are two examples of author-date referencing styles. Numerical systems use footnotes or endnotes instead of "in-text" references.

The field or discipline that you are studying in might prefer that you use the Modern Language Association (MLA) style, or the Chicago (endnote) style, so once you know what the recommended style is (check with teaching staff in your field)

Follow this link for examples of how styles are applied, including information on how to reference online or electronic resources.

Writing essays, manuscripts, reports and research papers can include using recommended referencing styles from a particular area.

Follow this link for essay and thesis writing, general and subject-specific referencing guides.

There is also a library tutorial if you are studying in Commerce, Economics and Finance disciplines which includes a section on citation styles for your field.

This can be accessed at: www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/eco/lsw/ecolswtext/ecotutdirectory.html

Effective PowerPoint Design

The following resources give a brief overview of the issues to consider when preparing PowerPoint slides (or equivalent) for a seminar or conference presentation.
Effective PowerPoint Design: slides (ppt 715kB) • handout (b&w) (pdf 108kB) • other references (pdf 20kB)

Other online resources

Written Communication in Agricultural and Natural Resource Science (e-book)
Ideas on assignment writing useful for all students.

UniLearning Online
A fine array of resources to support students in university study. A collaborative initiative of the University of Western Sydney and Melbourne University.

Study skills resources
From the University of Melbourne's Learning Skills Unit: a useful collection including downloadable fliers and links to other web sites

Referencing guides
Guidelines, from the University of South Australia's Learning Connection, for using various referencing conventions.

Library books and resources

These resources are available in the University of Adelaide Library.

English Language Study Skills (ELSS)

These are physically located in the Barr Smith Library.
Details on accessing the Library's ELSS collection can be found at:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/gen/englang.html

Academic skills books

Ballard, B. & Clanchy, J. (1988) Studying in Australia, Melbourne, Longman Cheshire.

Barrass, R. (2nd ed. 2002) Scientists must write. London, Routledge.

Barrass, R. (1995) Students must write: a guide to better writing in coursework and examinations. London, Routledge.

Barrass, R. (2002) Study!: A guide to effective learning, revision, and examination techniques. London, Routledge.

Burdess, N. (1991) The handbook of student skills for the social sciences and humanities. New York, Prentice Hall.

Burdess, N. (2nd ed. 1998) Handbook of student skills. New York, Prentice Hall.

Clanchy, J. & Ballard, B. (3rd ed. 1997) Essay writing for students: a practical guide. Melbourne, Longman Cheshire.

Marshall, L.A. & Rowland, F. (2nd ed. 1993) A guide to learning independently. Melbourne, Longman Cheshire.

Wallace, A., Schirato, T. & Bright, P. (1999) Beginning university: thinking, writing and researching for success. Sydney, Allen and Unwin.

Weissberg, R. & Buker, S. (1990) Writing up research, New Jersey, Prentice Hall.

Recommended English grammar and usage books

Murphy, R. (3rd ed. 2004) English grammar in use: a self-study reference and practice book for intermediate students, Cambridge University Press (with answers);

Olsen, L.A. and Huckin, T.N. (c1991) Technical writing and professional communication, McGraw-Hill, New York (Grammar section)