Drop-in sessions commence in week 2 and run through
to week 14. No bookings are required for drop-in sessions. These are held on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12 - 2pm at the Law Library, Clayton Campus.
Postgraduates can make appointments for consultation on
or by emailing the advisers at other times.
| Week |
Date |
Topic |
| 1 |
2 March |
Taking control of your study |
| 2 |
9 March |
Lectures, note-taking and tutorials |
| 3 |
16 March |
Coping with the reading |
| 4 |
23 March |
Reading and note-taking |
| 5 |
30 March |
Assignments - where the marks come from |
| 6 |
6 April |
Reading for critical analysis |
| No seminar over mid-semester break; drop-in sessions available |
| 7 |
20 April |
Building summaries: different styles |
| 8 |
27 April |
Analysing an essay question and building an argument |
| 9 |
4 May |
The writing process |
| 10 |
11 May |
Improving structure and coherence |
| 11 |
18 May |
Writing clearly and concisely |
| 12 |
25 May |
Preparing for exams |
| 13 |
1 June |
Essay questions in exams building an argument |
| 13 |
14/16 Oct |
Preparing for exams (repeat) |
| Title |
Description |
| Flying high: skills for success |
Managing a successful return to study including time management. Finding your learning style and becoming an independent learner. |
| Making connections: optimising the learning experience. |
Listening analytically: plan ahead; use visual clues and think like a lecturer. Your lecturer is also a resource to help you with your learning, so know why, when and how to approach him or her. |
| Drowning in words: reading efficiently |
Coping with your reading. Changing reading styles and speeds to suit the purpose. Evaluating while reading to improve understanding and to keep focused. |
| In brief: note-taking and summarising skills. |
Looking at styles of note-taking and choosing key ideas to create useful paraphrases and summaries. |
| Be judgemental: reading critically |
Developing skills to help you question and evaluate your reading. Critical reading habits will improve your own analytical writing practice, which is essential for Law. |
| Be alert: tips to avoid plagiarism |
Managing your note-taking style to avoid unintentional plagiarism. Knowing how to avoid plagiarism is essential for your professional future as well as for academic study now. |
Case chase: reading and writing case notes |
Applying critical reading techniques when summarising cases. Learn the value of analysis when applying the rules. On 12 March, a Law research librarian will present part of each session, to help you access cases. |
| Essays 101: surveying essay writing |
Improve your results by becoming familiar with the predictable structures of legal essays. |
| Style file: finding an appropriate style. |
Using appropriate academic vocabulary and form in writing. |
| The write stuff: stepping stones in writing |
Approaches to planning your writing task. Brainstorming techniques and the use of headings. Tips to manage writer’s block. |
| Balance and flow: key features of academic writing |
Investigating essential structures to assist flow in your writing. The balance between information and analysis in your introduction, body and conclusion. |
| Argument alley: developing an argument in academic writing |
Strengthening your written response to the question and sustaining a relevant argument throughout your answer. Includes a basic introduction to logic and logical fallacies |
| Other voices: integrating the ideas of others into your writing |
Choosing appropriate ideas to extend your argument and joining them together in a smooth manner. |
| The good ref: referencing - ‘what?’ ‘why? and ‘how? |
Using other’s ideas appropriately through referencing. How to use reporting verbs effectively. A Law research librarian will present part of each session on 9 April. |
| Limp language: pitfalls of expression and how to avoid them |
Writing clearly and effectively can be learnt, by using plain English and thinking of your audience. |
Top marks: perfecting your final draft |
Using drafting and editing to get better results. Techniques for linking ideas together, and combining brevity with precision. |
| Testing times: preparing for exams |
Strategies for preparing exam summaries and managing exam pressures including time pressure. |
| Looking your best: polishing your writing draft |
A final review of your work is worthwhile – improve your expression and presentation. Use headings effectively. |
For further information about learning skills classes at the Law Library,
or to arrange additional classes, contact:
