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Handbook unpacks essay writing craft for Indigenous students
The ACIKE Academic Essay Writing Resource aims to assist Indigenous students. From left: ACIKE Staff Development Officer Lesley MacGibbon and Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership Professor Steven Larkin.
by Katie Weiss 29 June 2014
A
new handbook on the art of academic essay writing will assist Indigenous students studying at Charles Darwin University. The Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Education (ACIKE), on CDU’s Casuarina campus, created the handbook for tutors and lecturers to use to support Indigenous students. Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership Professor Steven Larkin said the ACIKE Academic Essay
Writing Resource would assist students in critical thinking and essay planning. “ACIKE has recognised that Indigenous student have many strengths, but often struggle with academic literacies when they first come to university,” Professor Larkin said. “Although there are many existing resources about essay writing available, most are not appropriate for Indigenous students.” The compact handbook will inform readers about ways to create essay structures and lists
of references, unpacking essay questions, and understanding the marking rubric. “This resource is designed to support students through the beginning stages of essay writing so they gain transferrable skills to use throughout their university studies,” Professor Larkin said. ACIKE is a joint initiative of CDU and the Batchelor Institute, focusing on higher education for Indigenous people. Anyone can download the handbook from the ACIKE homepage: www.cdu.edu.au/acike
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