Writing Skills for Social Work Students

✍ Scribed by Bella Ross

• Publisher: Red Globe Press
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 244
• Series: Macmillan Study Skills
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book will equip Social Work students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to produce first-rate written assignments. Part One focuses on the foundational skills needed to produce excellent written work. Students are taken through the core stages of working on an assignment, from planning the task and reading and note-making through to finding and evaluating sources, drafting a text, and editing and proofreading. Part Two hones in on the key types of assignment students will encounter on their degree. It contains dedicated chapters on writing an essay, a reflective text, a case study analysis, a literature review, a placement report, and case notes on placement. Each chapter contains examples and activities which will help students to test their knowledge and understanding.

This is an essential companion for all Social Work students.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents
Acknowledgements
PART
I: Key Skills and How to Navigate Stages of the Writing Process
Chapter 1: Understanding and Planning the Task
Understanding the task
Brainstorming
Writing for the audience and using marking rubrics
Planning the writing task
Structuring a text
Suggested solutions
Further reading
Chapter 2: Reading and Note-Making
Reading to understand the topic
Focusing your reading
Finding key points
Making notes
Suggested solutions
Further reading
Chapter 3: Critically Evaluating Sources
What is evidence-based practice?
Evidence in social work
Being critical: reading, thinking and reflection
Being a critical reader: distinguishing between fact and opinion
Reading vs. critical reading
Big picture skills: critical reflection
Developing and applying your own ideas by engaging with others
Locating evidence: using reliable online sources
Applying critical reading, thinking and reflection to assignments
Suggested solutions
Further reading
Chapter 4: Drafting a Written Assessment
The drafting process: planning, drafting and revising
Structuring a written assessment
Using headings and sub-headings to organise ideas
Writing conventions differ between written assessment types
Structuring a paragraph
Approaches to cohesive writing, linking paragraphs and signposting
Linking and signposting words and phrases
Suggested solutions
Further reading
Chapter 5: Referencing and Avoiding Plagiarism
What is academic integrity?
Why does it matter?
Referencing
Why referencing is needed
Ways to incorporate sources
When to use quotes?
Steps to quoting
Modifying quotes
When to paraphrase?
Steps to paraphrasing
When to summarise?
Steps to summarising
When to synthesise?
Steps to synthesising
Reporting verbs
Compiling a reference list
Referencing Acts and cases
Referencing software
Suggested solutions
Further reading
Chapter 6: Editing and Proofreading
Why is editing and proofreading important?
What is editing?
What is proofreading?
Using correct terminology
Maintaining a consistent writing style
Suggested solutions
Further reading
PART
II: Key Types of Assessment
Chapter 7: Writing an Essay
What is an essay?
Answering the essay question
Three essay types
A question with an answer
Compare and contrast
Describe, analyse and critically discuss
Structuring the essay
Using the hourglass
The introduction
Titles
Focus
Scope
Thesis
Engagement
Revisiting the introduction
The essay body
Providing context
Presenting issues and arguments
Qualifying statements: hedging and boosting language
Using cautious language to hedge your claims
Using boosting language to assert your claims
Using counter-arguments to strengthen your discussion
The conclusion
Revising the first draft
General writing advice
Suggested solutions
Further reading
Chapter 8: Writing a Reflective Assignment
What is critical reflection?
What is involved in critical reflection?
Reflecting on values
The process of reflection
Reflective writing
What does reflective writing look like?
Writing a reflective essay
Reflecting on a placement experience
Reflecting on a case study
The language and style of reflective writing
Suggested solutions
Further reading
Chapter 9: Writing a Case Study Analysis
What is a case study analysis?
What does a case study analysis look like?
1. Understanding the task
2. Familiarising yourself with the case, the issues and those involved
3. Understanding the broader context of the case
4. Researching, reading and making notes
5. Identifying and applying theory to the case
6. Analysing the case: demonstrating critical thinking and critical reflection
Identifying judgement, bias or personal opinion
7. Developing an intervention
8. Planning and structuring your text
9. Drafting and revising your text
Implying a relationship vs. implying causation
Examples of a case study analysis
Suggested solutions
Further reading
Chapter 10: Writing a Literature Review
What is a literature review?
What does a literature review look like?
Evidence-based practice
What is ‘literature’?
A literature review vs. an annotated bibliography
Developing a literature review
Identifying a topic and core concepts
Identifying, locating and deciding on appropriate literature
Evaluating the literature
Organising and writing the review
Using reporting verbs to describe and evaluate the work of others
Suggested solutions
Further reading
Chapter 11: Writing Case Notes on Placement
What are case notes?
What is the purpose of writing case notes?
What do case notes look like?
Language features of case notes
What to consider before you start writing
Organising case notes
Assessment at different levels: relational, social, structural, cultural, time
Risk assessment
Goal planning towards interventions in practice
Suggested solutions
Further reading
Chapter 12: Writing a Placement Report
What is a placement report?
What is the purpose of a placement report?
Conducting an audit of what you bring to a placement
What should a learning plan include?
Structuring and organising a social work learning plan
Structuring and organising a placement report
Gathering evidence of your learning on placement
Documenting your practice
Process recordings
Critical incident analysis
Writing a mid-placement and final report
Language characteristics of a placement report
Suggested solutions
Further reading
References
Index