LE11 Study Skills

Written Assignment (Autumn Term 2021.22)

You have 1 week for the preparation of this assignment. The deadline for
submission is on Friday the 24th of September 2021 at 10:59PM London time
and 11:59PM Paris time.

This assignment consists of two questions presented on 2 pages of this assignment

paper. The total number of marks is 20.

Question 1 (16 marks) 300 words (+/-10%)

Write two body paragraphs on ONE of the following topics:

Critically evaluate the importance of soft skills for graduate students

OR

Critically evaluate the importance of soft skills in business

Recommended source:

MacDermott, C. and Ortiz, L. (2017). “Beyond the Business Communication Course:

A Historical Perspective of the Where, Why, and How of Soft Skills Development and
Job Readiness for Business Graduates.” IUP Journal of Soft Skills. 11(2), pp. 7-24.

You need to:

- support your ideas with references from academic sources
- provide in-text citations and a final reference list using Harvard Referencing Style
- paraphrase and/or summarise sources rather than quoting
- use AT LEAST 3 sources in total:
o the recommended one (obligatory)
o at least 2 sources found independently

Question 2 (4 marks) 150 words (+/- 10%)

Take one of the sources which you found independently and explain why
you believe it to be reliable and relevant to the topic given in Question 1.

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Marking Criteria (what you will be assessed on):

1. Critical thinking and development – the ability to tackle the subject critically
and develop a range of relevant ideas
2. Writing structure – the ability to structure coherent and cohesive paragraphs
3. Using sources – the ability to cite other writers correctly without committing
plagiarism
4. Selecting supporting material – the ability to choose relevant and academic
sources

Written Work Submission Guidelines:

• Please fill in / include the provided Individual Coursework Submission cover

sheet with your assignment and sign the Academic Honesty Statement being
an integral part of it.
• The essay must be word processed.
• Font size must be Arial, size 12, with double spacing.
• Each page should be numbered.
• You must include a final reference list using the Harvard Referencing System.

You have been advised on a good academic practice/non-plagiarism protocol!

The essay must be submitted on Blackboard. We also recommend you keep an

electronic back-up of your submitted work.

Please ensure you are familiar with ESCP guidelines on late submission and
mitigating circumstances.

Attachments:
1) Recommended source
2) Individual Coursework Submission cover sheet

[END of instructions]