QCF214 Introduction to Academic Communication
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | QCF214 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
Unit Outline: College 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | QCF214 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Nil |
| Coordinator: | Sarah Mortess | sarah.mortess@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit will help you to develop academic communication skills which are essential for students commencing their undergraduate studies at university. You will be introduced to the conventions and practices of academic and evidence-based writing through a step-by-step process leading to the development of an academic essay. You will also be introduced to study skills and habits that are essential for being successful at university.
The skills you learn in this unit are transferrable to your discipline-related units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Create cohesive written text that demonstrates an understanding of common academic genres, conventions and argument structure.
- Locate, critically read, analyse, evaluate and synthesise academic sources to support ideas in written and spoken communication.
- Demonstrate academic integrity by appropriately paraphrasing, summarising and integrating sources using APA Referencing Style.
- Communicate effectively in academic contexts including the presentation of ideas in oral and written formats and critical reflection on communication experiences.
Content
Topics include:
- understanding academic text types and conventions
- reading critically at university using academic sources
- oral discussion skills in an academic context
- the writing process:
- analysing an essay question
- actively reading academic literature
- paraphrasing, summarising and synthesising ideas from the literature to support academic writing
- constructing sentences, paragraphs, introductions and conclusions for academic essay writing
- constructing an academic argument:
- analysing, critically evaluating and appropriately citing sources of information
- integrating the ideas of others into your own texts
- ethics and integrity in researching information
- reflecting critically on academic writing development
Learning Approaches
This unit takes a blended approach to learning and teaching. In addition to scheduled classes, you will be provided with eContent. eContent could include videos, readings, self-reflection and/or peer activities designed to enhance your learning experience. During your scheduled classes you will be provided with opportunities to expand on this content in a collaborative learning environment. After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with your unit resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of unit content.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Formal: in writing, such as checklists, rubrics, written commentary
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to the whole class
Assessment
Overview
In this unit you will complete three summative assessments: an academic discussion, an essay plan and an academic essay. Formative assessment will support your learning by giving you an opportunity to gain feedback on your progress with assessment tasks before completing them for marking purposes.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Academic discussion
This task requires you to locate a suitable academic source and then conduct an academic discussion related to this topic with your peers. This assessment task will help you develop confidence in oral communication in an academic context.
Assessment: Essay Plan
Your focus for this for this assessment task is a topic chosen from the options provided in class. Your essay plan will present work done to enquire into the essay topic/question and will include a working thesis for your proposed essay, an outline/plan which demonstrates your understanding of your chosen topic/question, the approach your essay will take and at least three literature sources with accurate reference details.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Essay
Your essay will build on the work done in the essay plan. It should demonstrate the use of micro skills developed throughout this unit including well-structured and cohesive paragraphs, integration and synthesis of sources (which may include Generative AI) into your line of argument, use of correct grammar and punctuation, and appropriate application of citation and referencing conventions. You will also submit a reflection on your development of the essay which evaluates the credibility of sources used, provides a rationale for your choices and briefly summarises key learnings to further improve your future practice.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There is no set text for this unit. All learning resources will be available to you via the unit's Canvas site or provided to you in class.
Resource Materials
Other
QCF214 Canvas website
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.QC18 University Preparation Program
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills that are fundamental to academic studies across a range of discipline areas.
Relates to: Academic discussion, Essay Plan, Essay - Apply critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem solving in a range of contexts
Relates to: Essay - Communicate effectively in an academic context using written, oral and/or multimodal genres
Relates to: Academic discussion, Essay Plan, Essay - Demonstrate the capacity to work independently and/or collaboratively within the university context to effectively meet study goals
Relates to: Essay
Unit Outline: College 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | QCF214 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Nil |
| Coordinator: | Sarah Mortess | sarah.mortess@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit will help you to develop academic communication skills which are essential for students commencing their undergraduate studies at university. You will be introduced to the conventions and practices of academic and evidence-based writing through a step-by-step process leading to the development of an academic essay. You will also be introduced to study skills and habits that are essential for being successful at university.
The skills you learn in this unit are transferrable to your discipline-related units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Create cohesive written text that demonstrates an understanding of common academic genres, conventions and argument structure.
- Locate, critically read, analyse, evaluate and synthesise academic sources to support ideas in written and spoken communication.
- Demonstrate academic integrity by appropriately paraphrasing, summarising and integrating sources using APA Referencing Style.
- Communicate effectively in academic contexts including the presentation of ideas in oral and written formats and critical reflection on communication experiences.
Content
Topics include:
- understanding academic text types and conventions
- reading critically at university using academic sources
- oral discussion skills in an academic context
- the writing process:
- analysing an essay question
- actively reading academic literature
- paraphrasing, summarising and synthesising ideas from the literature to support academic writing
- constructing sentences, paragraphs, introductions and conclusions for academic essay writing
- constructing an academic argument:
- analysing, critically evaluating and appropriately citing sources of information
- integrating the ideas of others into your own texts
- ethics and integrity in researching information
- reflecting critically on academic writing development
Learning Approaches
This unit takes a blended approach to learning and teaching. In addition to scheduled classes, you will be provided with eContent. eContent could include videos, readings, self-reflection and/or peer activities designed to enhance your learning experience. During your scheduled classes you will be provided with opportunities to expand on this content in a collaborative learning environment. After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with your unit resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of unit content.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Formal: in writing, such as checklists, rubrics, written commentary
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to the whole class
Assessment
Overview
In this unit you will complete three summative assessments: an academic discussion, an essay plan and an academic essay. Formative assessment will support your learning by giving you an opportunity to gain feedback on your progress with assessment tasks before completing them for marking purposes.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Academic discussion
This task requires you to locate a suitable academic source and then conduct an academic discussion related to this topic with your peers. This assessment task will help you develop confidence in oral communication in an academic context.
Assessment: Essay Plan
Your focus for this for this assessment task is a topic chosen from the options provided in class. Your essay plan will present work done to enquire into the essay topic/question and will include a working thesis for your proposed essay, an outline/plan which demonstrates your understanding of your chosen topic/question, the approach your essay will take and at least three literature sources with accurate reference details.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Essay
Your essay will build on the work done in the essay plan. It should demonstrate the use of micro skills developed throughout this unit including well-structured and cohesive paragraphs, integration and synthesis of sources (which may include Generative AI) into your line of argument, use of correct grammar and punctuation, and appropriate application of citation and referencing conventions. You will also submit a reflection on your development of the essay which evaluates the credibility of sources used, provides a rationale for your choices and briefly summarises key learnings to further improve your future practice.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There is no set text for this unit. All learning resources will be available to you via the unit's Canvas site or provided to you in class.
Resource Materials
Other
QCF214 Canvas website
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.QC18 University Preparation Program
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills that are fundamental to academic studies across a range of discipline areas.
Relates to: Academic discussion, Essay Plan, Essay - Apply critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem solving in a range of contexts
Relates to: Essay - Communicate effectively in an academic context using written, oral and/or multimodal genres
Relates to: Academic discussion, Essay Plan, Essay - Demonstrate the capacity to work independently and/or collaboratively within the university context to effectively meet study goals
Relates to: Essay