Prof Mal Leicester is Emeritus Professor at the University of Nottingham where she held the chair of adult learning and teaching. She was responsible for monitoring departmental assessments (criteria and consistency). She marked assignments at all levels both as an internal and an external Examiner and for the work of graduate and postgraduate students and supervised student dissertations and theses in philosophy, multicultural education, moral education, ethical issues and inclusive education.
Previously Mal was Senior Lecturer in continuing education at the University of Warwick. She has been a secondary school teacher, was the county of Avon's advisor for multicultural education and the director of a community organisation in Birmingham.
Mal has written a variety of educational books and papers including, most recently, Can I tell you about Tourette Syndrome?, a guide for friends, family and professionals.

Chapter 1: Using the Literature
Chapter 2: Planning Your Essay
Chapter 3: Criticality: Rational Reflection
Chapter 4: Criticality: Critical Thinking
Criticality: Analytic Thinking
Chapter 5: Originality
Chapter 6: Presentation and Academic Conventions
Chapter 7: Other Forms of Assignment
Chapter 8: Oral Assignments: Lectures and Short Talks

Not sure how to start your essay or prepare for a presentation?  Worried about how to structure your report?  Questioning what a good assignment actually looks like?

With encouraging, jargon-free advice and a clearly defined seven-step plan to getting better grades, this book takes the fear out of academic writing and gives you the tools you need to succeed.  Punchy and packed with the dos and don'ts of good writing, it helps you improve your grades quickly and with minimal hassle.

Covering not just essays, but also group work, reports, reviews, research projects, journaling, and presentations, it provides effective tips on:

• Defeating writers' block
• Identifying and using relevant sources
• Planning and outlining strategies
• Building arguments and providing evidence
• Developing critical and analytical thinking
• Cultivating writing style
• Mastering presentation.

Focused on explaining and demonstrating the core requirements of academic assignments through detailed examples, this book provides all the support you need to build confidence and produce high-quality assignments. 

The Student Success series are essential guides for students of all levels. From how to think critically and write great essays to planning your dream career, the Student Success series helps you study smarter and get the best from your time at university. Visit the SAGE Study Skills hub for tips and resources for study success!