ENG1501/101/0/2022

Tutorial Letter 101/0/2022

Foundations in English Literary Studies

ENG1501
Year module

Department of English Studies

This tutorial letter contains important information about your module.

BARCODE
CONTENTS
Page

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4
2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES ...................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 5
2.2 Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 5
3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION ........................................................................................... 5
4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS................................................................................... 6
4.1 Lecturer(s) .................................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Where do I address my questions? ............................................................................................... 6
4.3 University ...................................................................................................................................... 7
5 RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................... 7
5.1 Prescribed book(s) ........................................................................................................................ 7
5.2 Recommended book(s) ................................................................................................................. 7
5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ................................................................................................... 7
6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................ 8
6.1 First-Year Experience Programme @ Unisa ................................................................................. 8
7 STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................................................... 9
8 PRACTICAL WORK ..................................................................................................................... 9
9 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 9
9.1 Assessment criteria....................................................................................................................... 9
9.2 Assessment plan .......................................................................................................................... 9
9.3 Assignment numbers .................................................................................................................. 10
9.4 Assignment due dates ................................................................................................................ 10
9.5 Submission of assignments ........................................................................................................ 11
9.6 The assignments ........................................................................................................................ 11
9.7 Other assessment methods ........................................................................................................ 15
9.8 The examination ......................................................................................................................... 15
10 ACADEMIC DISHONENESTY.................................................................................................... 15
10.1 Plagiarism ................................................................................................................................... 15
10.2 Cheating ..................................................................................................................................... 16
10.3 More information ......................................................................................................................... 16
11 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES .............................................................................................. 16
12 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ........................................................................................ 16
13 SOURCES CONSULTED ........................................................................................................... 17
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14 IN CLOSING ............................................................................................................................... 17
15 DECLARATION REGARDING PLAGIARISM ............................................................................ 19

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Dear Student

1 INTRODUCTION
We are pleased to welcome you to this module and hope that you will find it both interesting and
rewarding. We will do our best to make your study of this module successful. You will be well on
your way to success if you start studying early in the year and resolve to do the assignments
thoroughly and in good time for submission.

ENG1501 follows a blended learning approach. This means that some of your study material
will be offline (such as your Tutorial Letters and your prescribed reading), but other resources
will be online on myUnisa (such as assignment preparation and feedback videos and/or
podcasts, study support guides, your e-tutor activities, etc.). You will need to acquaint yourself
with both the offline and online components of this module if you wish to succeed.

A number of tutorial letters will be placed on the ENG1501 site on myUnisa during the year. A
tutorial letter is our way of communicating with you about teaching, learning and assessment.
Please make sure you check this site regularly so that you are aware of any new material that is
available or announcements that have been made. Note that myUnisa announcements are also
sent to your Unisa myLife e-mail address, so it is important that you get into the habit of
checking this e-mail account on a weekly basis.

Tutorial Letter 101 (this letter) contains important information about the scheme of work,
resources and assignments for this module. We urge you to read it carefully and to keep it at
hand when working through the study material, working on your assignments, preparing for the
examination, and addressing questions to your lecturers.

In Tutorial Letter 101, you will find the assignments and assessment criteria as well as
instructions on the preparation and submission of the assignments. This tutorial letter also
provides all the information you need about the prescribed study material and other resources
as well as how to obtain these. Please study this information carefully and make sure that you
obtain the prescribed material as soon as possible. We have also included certain general and
administrative information about this module.

Right from the start we would like to point out that you must read all the tutorial letters you
receive during the semester immediately and carefully, as they always contain important, and
sometimes urgent, information.

In order to succeed at this module, you need to work carefully through the following resources:

• Tutorial Letter 101 as it contains general module and assessment information

• Tutorial Letter 501 which is your primary tuition source that guides you towards achieving
the module outcomes

• Tutorial Letter 102 which functions as a practical step-by-step guide on how to go about
working through the material and preparing for assignments and the examination. It also
contains additional exercises and writing-skill support

We hope that you will enjoy this module and wish you all the best!

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2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES

2.1 Purpose

This module aims to establish a literary and academic foundation that will provide you with the
basic skills you require to further your studies in English literature. You will learn to apply
appropriate genre-specific reading strategies to a range of literary texts, and you will also be
expected to demonstrate the basic skills of writing academic English. In particular, this module
aims to introduce you to the basics of reading and analysing literature in the form of poetry,
short stories and a novel.

All the assignments invite you to develop critical thinking and writing skills. Each will take you
through a process of learning in which you will encounter a diversity of ideas. The assignments
are designed to guide you towards an informed understanding of how meaning is created and
conveyed in literature.

2.2 Outcomes

This module provides a foundation for literary study. Its outcomes develop your ability to:

• Demonstrate an informed understanding of the genre-specific reading strategies required

to read a range of literary texts in different genres at an inferential level

• Demonstrate an informed understanding of the literary features that characterize each

genre

• Demonstrate an ability to identify these features in literary texts and comment on their
significance in the production of textual meaning

• Demonstrate argumentative skills in the form of a sustained written analysis of a literary

text, using subject-specific conventions and acceptable academic discourse

3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Unisa has implemented a transformation charter based on five pillars and eight dimensions. In
response to this charter, we have placed curriculum transformation high on the teaching and
learning agenda. Curriculum transformation includes the following pillars: student-centred
scholarship, the pedagogical renewal of teaching and assessment practices, the scholarship of
teaching and learning, and the infusion of African epistemologies and philosophies. These
pillars and their principles will be integrated at both programme and module levels as a phased-
in approach. You will notice a marked change in the teaching and learning strategy
implemented by Unisa, together with how the content is conceptualised in your modules. We
encourage you to embrace these changes during your studies at Unisa in a responsive way
within the framework of transformation.

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4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS
4.1 Lecturer(s)

Please note: To streamline queries and ensure that students are assisted as soon as possible,
we have a dedicated e-mail address for this module. We appeal to students to use this address
for ALL student queries related to academic aspects of the module. Using this e-mail address
will ensure that your query is sent to the person who can best attend to it as soon as possible.

The dedicated e-mail address for this module is: ENG1501@unisa.ac.za

4.2 Where do I address my questions?

Answer the questions in the boxes below and follow the route to finding an answer.

Have you read Tutorial Letter 101?

Yes No
Have you consulted the Please read the whole of
Frequently Asked Tutorial Letter 101. The
Questions (FAQs) that answer to your question
appear on the ENG1501 may appear there.
myUnisa site?

If this did not answer

If the FAQs do not your question…
provide an answer to
your question, have you
asked your e-tutor*?

If you have still not found

an answer to your question, The steps to answers about ENG1501
send an e-mail to
ENG1501@unisa.ac.za.
Take note that if your 1 Read Tutorial Letter 101.
question is answered by
Tutorial Letter 101 or the 2 Check the FAQs on myUnisa.
FAQs, we will refer you
back to them to find the 3 Ask your e-tutor.
answer there.
4 Send an e-mail.

*You can find your e-tutor by following the instructions in the ‘How to find my e-tutor site’ guide
that appears under the ‘Additional Resources’ on the ENG1501 myUnisa site.

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4.3 University

Remember that your lecturers can only assist you with academic matters related to the content
of ENG1501. Please direct any queries regarding administrative matters (such as registrations,
examinations, finance, etc.) to the relevant department listed on the Unisa website:

https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Contact-us/Student-enquiries

5 RESOURCES
5.1 Prescribed book(s)

Mohlele, Nthikeng. 2013. Small Things. Johannesburg: Jacana. (You must purchase this book.)

A selection of poems and short stories will be made available to you as e-reserves on the library
website. See the section below on how to access this material. You are encouraged to work
through these as soon as possible alongside Tutorial Letter 501.

5.2 Recommended book(s)

We recommend that students purchase a good dictionary, such as the Oxford Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary.

Recommended books can be requested online, via the Library catalogue.

5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)

The poems and short stories you are expected to study are available as e-reserves on the
library website. E-reserves can be downloaded from the library catalogue. More information is
available at:

E-reserves can be downloaded from the Library catalogue. More information is available at
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request

5.4 Library services and resources

The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources:

• For a general Library overview, go to

https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/About-the-Library
Library @ a glance
• For detailed Library information, go to
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library
• For research support and services (eg personal librarians and literature search services), go
to
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Research-support

The Library has created numerous Library guides to assist you: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za

Recommended guides:

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• Request recommended books and access e-reserve material:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request
• Requesting and finding library material: Postgraduate services:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/postgrad
• Finding and using library resources and tools (Research Support):
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/research-support
• Frequently asked questions about the library:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask
• Services to students living with disabilities:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/disability
• A-Z databases:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/az.php
• Subject-specific guides:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/?b=s
• Information on fines & payments:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/fines

Assistance with technical problems accessing the Unisa Library or resources:

https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/techsupport

Lib-help@unisa.ac.za (insert your student number in the subject line please)

General library enquiries can be directed to Library-enquiries@unisa.ac.za

As a student of English Studies, you should also familiarise yourself with the library guide
created especially for students in this department: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/english_studies.
Here you will find information about books, articles, referencing, as well as research support.

6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Study @ Unisa website is available on myUnisa: www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies

This website has all the tips and information you need to succeed at Unisa. Your lecturers
assume that you have familiarised yourself with the Study @ Unisa website.

6.1 First-Year Experience Programme @ Unisa

For many students, the transition from school education to tertiary education is beset with
anxiety. This is also true for first-time students to Unisa. Unisa is a dedicated open distance and
e-learning institution. Unlike face-to-face/contact institutions, Unisa is somewhat different. It is a
mega university and all our programmes are offered through a blended learning mode or fully
online learning mode. It is for this reason that we thought it necessary to offer first-time students
additional/extended support so that you can seamlessly navigate the Unisa teaching and
learning journey with little difficulty and few barriers. In this regard we offer a specialised student
support programme to students entering Unisa for the first time. We refer to this programme as
Unisa’s First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme. The FYE is designed to provide you with
prompt and helpful information about services that the institution offers and how you can access
information. The following FYE programmes are currently offered:

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• FYE website: All the guides and resources you need to navigate through your first year at
Unisa can be accessed using the following link: www.unisa.ac.za/FYE

• FYE e-mails: You will receive regular e-mails to help you stay focused and motivated.

• FYE broadcasts: You will receive e-mails with links to broadcasts on various topics related to
your first-year studies (eg videos on how to submit assignments online).

• FYE mailbox: For assistance with queries related to your first year of study, send an e-mail
to fye@unisa.ac.za

7 STUDY PLAN
You should read carefully through Tutorial Letters 101 (this letter), 102 and 501 to familiarise
yourself with everything that is required of you in this module. For a detailed study plan, which
will guide you through the entirety of the learning content for the duration of the year, please join
your e-tutor’s dedicated e-tutorials on myUnisa. These will guide you to stay up to date with
your learning in this module so that you are prepared for your assignments and the
examination. Your lecturers will let you know via myUnisa when you have been assigned to an
e-tutor. Detailed steps on how to find your e-tutor site will also be available on myUnisa at the
appropriate time.

8 PRACTICAL WORK
There is no practical work component for this module.

9 ASSESSMENT
9.1 Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria of this module align with the module outcomes, which can be found
under 2.2 in this tutorial letter. The assessment takes the form of both formative assessment
(your assignments) and summative assessment (your examination). Take note of any
assignment preparation resources your lecturers might post on myUnisa prior to your
assignment due dates. These resources could help prepare you for the assessments.

9.2 Assessment plan

Assignments are an integral part of the learning material for this module. As you complete each
assignment, study the prescribed texts, consult other resources, discuss the work with fellow
students or e-tutors or do research, you are actively engaged in learning.

Looking at the assessment criteria provided for each assignment will help you to understand
more clearly what is required of you. In some cases, additional assessments might be available
on the myUnisa site for your module.

For students attending face-to-face tutorial sessions, tutors may also set additional tasks and
give feedback in class.
Kindly take note of the following:

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 • To complete this module, you will be required to submit three (3) assignments.

• All information on when and where to submit your assignments will be made available to
you via the myUnisa site for your module.

• Due dates for assignments, as well as the actual assignments are available on the
myUnisa site for this module.

• To gain admission to the examination, you will be required to submit three (3)
assignment/s.

• Your assignments include: an assignment on poetry, with short answers; an assignment

on a short story, with paragraph-length answers; and an essay on the prescribed novel.

• You need to obtain a year mark average of 40% for the assignment/s to gain admission
to the examination.

• The assignment weighting for the module is: Assignment 1 (30%), Assignment 2 (30%),
and Assignment 3 (40%).

• Your combined assignment mark will count 40% towards the final module mark.

• The examination will be a take-home examination.

• The examination will count 60% towards the final module mark.
9.3 Assignment numbers

• There are no assignment due dates included in this tutorial letter.

• Assignment due dates will be made available to you on the landing page of myUnisa for
this module. We envisage that the due dates will be available to you upon registration.

• Please start working on your assignments as soon as you register for the module.

• Log on to the myUnisa site for this module to obtain more information on the due dates
for the submission of the assignments.
9.4 Assignment due dates

• Modules offered by Unisa are either blended (meaning that we use a combination of
printed and online material to engage with you) or online (all information is available via
the internet). In all cases of online engagement, we use myUnisa as our virtual campus.

• From 2022, the myUnisa virtual campus will be offered via a new learning management
system. This is an online system that is used to administer, document, and deliver
educational material to you and support engagement with you.

• Look out for information from your lecturer as well as other Unisa platforms to determine
how to access the virtual myUnisa module site.

• Information on the tools that will be available to engage with the lecturer and fellow
students to support your learning will also be communicated via various platforms.

• The University undertakes to communicate as clearly and as frequently as is necessary

to ensure optimum advantage in the use of the new learning management system.
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• Additional information on the use of the myUnisa site for the module, as well as features
to engage and communicate with your lecturer and other students will also be made
available via the online site for the module.

• Therefore, log on to the myUnisa site for your module to gain more information on where
to complete and/or upload your assignments and how to communicate with your lecturer.

9.5 Submission of assignments

As indicated in section 9.2, you need to complete three (3) assignments for this module. Details
on how to submit your assignments will be made available on the module site on myUnisa.

9.6 The assignments

ASSIGNMENT 01: Poetry

Compulsory for examination admission

‘Testimony’ – Chris Mann

Due date: [Will be announced on myUnisa]

Read the poem ‘Testimony’ by Chris Mann (page 409-410 in The New Century of South African
Poetry, available as an e-reserve on the library website) before answering the questions that
follow.

You must answer in full sentences, and you should support your answers by quoting from the
poem.

Note: You will notice that each question includes a mark allocation. This is to indicate how much
you should write to support your answer. One mark represents one main point or reason. If a
question counts four marks, that means that you will need to supply four points or reasons.

Remember that you can use an example from a poem only once; you cannot use the same
example for each of your answers.

1. Refer stanza 1 and 2.

1.1 Based on the first stanza of the poem, how do you think the speaker feels about the
person he is addressing? Is this feeling different from how he felt in the past? Explain. (2)

1.2 The word ‘but’ in line 7 indicates a shift in the poem. What change occurs here? (1)

1.3 In lines 9-11, the speaker mentions numerous aspects of life that have influenced his
relationship with the addressee. Describe one of the life events that the speaker mentions.
What did the experience teach the speaker and his partner about love? (3)

2. Refer to stanzas 3 and 4.

2.1 How does the speaker describe his beloved in the third stanza, and what do these
descriptions reveal about her? (4)

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2.2 Explain the image of her ‘plenteous horn’ (line 24) in your own words. In your answer, refer
to the image of the ‘cornucopia’ (see: https://www.britannica.com/art/cornucopia). (2)

3. Give an outline of the imagery used in the poem – what kind of images are used, and what
is the effect of these images? Quote at least two examples to support your reading. (4)

4. Identify a prominent sound device used in the poem. Name the device, quote at least two
examples from the poem, and explain the effect it has. Remember to underline or highlight
the relevant sounds in your answer. (3)

5. The tone of the poem changes from the first stanza to the last stanza. Identify and explain
the tone in the first and last stanza and reflect on the change that occurs. Your answer
should include one word to describe the tone in the first stanza, with a reason for your
answer, and one word to describe the tone in the last stanza, with a reason for your
answer. Explain how the tone has changed. Be specific: happy/sad are not acceptable
answers. (3)

6. Identify and explain the main theme of the poem. Refer to the title of the poem to support
your analysis. (2)

Sub-total for content: 25 marks

Use of language, organisation, and overall structure of assignment: 25 marks

Total: 50

For information about correct quoting and referencing, consult Unit 1 of Tutorial Letter 501.

Warning!

Using ideas and facts from other people, books or web pages without saying where they come
from is the same as stealing those ideas and facts. This is plagiarism and it is a serious offence.

If you are found guilty of plagiarism, you will fail this assignment.

ASSIGNMENT 02: Short stories

‘I will not apologise!’ (Maire Fisher)

Due date: [Will be announced on myUnisa]

In order to answer this question, you need to read ‘I will not apologise!’ by Maire Fisher
(available as an e-reserve on the Library website). Look at Tutorial Letter 501 for a reminder of
the reading strategies you should employ when reading a short story.

Remember to use a dictionary to look up the definitions of any unfamiliar words in the short
story and in the assignment question.

This assignment comprises one main question or topic which you will address by responding to
the sub-questions below.
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Ensure that each answer adheres to the following guidelines: The answer should

• be written as a paragraph of between ten and fifteen lines

• begin with a topic sentence that reflects the main topic of the paragraph

• discuss the topic by quoting evidence from the short story (these quotations should be
incorporated into grammatically complete and coherent sentences)

• explain how each of your quotes supports your argument

• employ correct referencing techniques and make use of appropriate academic

conventions

• end with a sentence which summaries and reflects on the significance of what you have
argued in relation to the main topic.

Refer to Tutorial Letter 501 for a reminder of topic sentences, paragraphing, argumentation and
quote incorporation.

Question

In ‘I will not apologise,’ the story’s plot revolves around the conflict between Bonita and her
grandmother. Use the questions below as prompts to discuss this statement.

Remember to use the literary element mentioned in each question to explore the main topic.

To address the main question, write a paragraph in response to each of the following sub-
questions:

1. How does the characterization of Bonita and her grandmother influence the story’s
meaning? (10)
2. Discuss the relationship between Bonita and her grandmother, and explain how this
relationship differs from the one between Bonita and her parents. (10)
3. What is the main conflict in the story? Write a paragraph in which you discuss both the
internal and external aspects of the conflict, its climax and resolution. (10).
4. Discuss the story’s setting, and analyse the ways in which it may influence events in the
story. (10)
5. What type of narration is used in the story? Explain how the narrative style may influence
our perception of the two main characters, and how it emphasizes the story’s meaning.
(10)

Sub-total for content: 50 marks

Use of language, organisation and overall structure of assignment: 50 marks

Total: 100

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For information about correct quoting and referencing, consult Unit 1 of Tutorial Letter 501.

Warning!

Using ideas and facts from other people, books or web pages without saying where they come
from is the same as stealing those ideas and facts. This is plagiarism and it is a serious offence.

If you are found guilty of plagiarism, you will fail this assignment.

ASSIGNMENT 03: The novel

Small Things by Nthikeng Mohlele

Due date: [Will be announced on myUnisa]

On pages 58-59 of Small Things, the narrator describes several different art and entertainment
performances at the Hugh Masekela Music Academy. His description could be read as a
portrayal of Johannesburg as an affluent and cosmopolitan city that has changed for the better
since 1994. However, in other parts of the novel, there are many descriptions of the city that
remind us as readers that enormous inequality persists in South Africa.

Inequality and class are two of the important themes in Small Things. Using the extract detailed
below as a starting point, write an essay in which you discuss the ways in which inequality and
class are depicted in the novel. Focus especially on aspects of setting, as perceived by the
narrator.

The extract you are expected to use begins on p. 58 of the novel with the words, “I dine at a
window table…” (p. 58). The extract ends on p. 59 with the words, “A thick glass separates us”
(Mohlele, 2013:58-59).

Before you start writing your essay, you should:

1. Revise the sections on ‘Setting’, ‘Narrative perspective’ and ‘Theme’ in Units 3 and 4 of
Tutorial Letter 501.

2. Perform a close reading of the extract above, paying careful attention to diction. Identify how
the themes of inequality and class are explored in the extract and other relevant parts of the
novel. Pay specific attention to how these themes feature in the different settings featured in
the novel, and how the narrator sees and experiences these settings.

3. Plan your essay, following the steps in the section on ‘How to Write about a Novel’ in Unit 4
of Tutorial Letter 501.

Remember that your essay should have:

• An introductory paragraph, which introduces your essay topic and explains how the rest of
your essay will be structured. Your introduction should restate the essay question in your
own words and should state what you will discuss.

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• A body of 3-5 paragraphs, in which you develop your argument. The body of your essay
should do three things:

o it should explain the setting in the novel;

o it should explain how the setting influences the way in which we as readers see the
characters; and

o it should consider how inequality and class are presented through the narrator’s
perspective.

• Remember that for each point that you make, you should refer to relevant sections of the
extract or text to support your argument.

• A concluding paragraph, in which you sum up the main argument that you have made in
your essay.

Sub-total for content and critical discussion: 50 marks

Use of language, organisation, and overall structure of assignment: 50 marks

Total: 100

For information about correct quoting and referencing, consult Unit 1 of Tutorial Letter 501.

Warning!

Using ideas and facts from other people, books or web pages without saying where they come
from is the same as stealing those ideas and facts. This is plagiarism and it is a serious offence.

If you are found guilty of plagiarism, you will fail this assignment.

9.7 Other assessment methods

None.

9.8 The examination

Examination information and details on the format of the examination will be made available to
you online via the myUnisa site. Look out for information that will be shared with you by your
lecturer and e-tutors (where relevant) and for communication from the University.

10 ACADEMIC DISHONENESTY
10.1 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting them as
your own. It is a form of theft which involves several dishonest academic activities, such as the
following:

• Cutting and pasting from any source without acknowledging the source.
• Not including or using incorrect references.

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 • Paraphrasing without acknowledging the original source of the information.

10.2 Cheating
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Completing assessments on behalf of another student, copying from another student

during an assessment or allowing a student to copy from you.
• Using social media (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram) or other platforms to disseminate
assessment information.
• Submitting corrupt or irrelevant files.
• Copying, whether directly, or in your own words, completed answers from a website
(even if you do acknowledge the source).
• Buying completed answers from “tutors” or internet sites (contract cheating).
10.3 More information
More information about plagiarism can be found at the following link:
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-rules

11 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The Advocacy and Resource Centre for Student with Disability (ARCSWiD) provides an
opportunity for staff to interact with new and returning students with disabilities.
If you are a student with a disability and would like additional support or need additional time for
assessments, you are invited to contact ARCSWiD (arcswid@unisa.ac.za). Should you require
specific assistance with the content of ENG1501, please contact your lecturers
(ENG1501@unisa.ac.za).

12 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We advise you to consult the FAQ section on myUnisa regularly as it is a useful resource which
we update frequently to reflect any issues that may arise over the course of the year.

I have not yet received my study material. What can I do?

If you have not yet received your study material, you can download digital copies from myUnisa.
You can also contact despatch@unisa.ac.za to enquire about your study material packs that are
delivered via courier.

I found a website that explains the poem/short story/novel. Can I use it to answer my
assignment questions?

Note that we do not expect you to make use of secondary sources at first year level. In fact, we
encourage you to rely on your own observations, made by studying the language in your
prescribed texts closely. However, if you want to use other people’s ideas in your assignments,
you need to know how to give credit to your sources. Using ideas and facts from other people,
books or web pages without saying where they come from is stealing those ideas and facts. It is
called plagiarism and it is a serious crime. Please consult the section titled ‘Using secondary
sources in your assignments’ in Tutorial Letter 501 to learn more about correct referencing.
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Remember, if your lecturer or marker notes that any part of your assignment is not your own
work, but simply a copy of what someone else has written (whether directly copied or rephrased
in your own words), you cannot receive marks for that piece of work. We can only assess your
own work, and so answers produced by someone else (even if you acknowledge your source)
will result in a mark of 0.

A friend wants to copy the answers to my assignment. Is this allowed?

No. You are not allowed to share your work with your friends before the assignments have been
submitted to the university. Copying from others constitutes plagiarism. If you are found guilty of
plagiarism, you will be penalised.

How can I submit my assignments?

You can submit your assignments by uploading them onto myUnisa.

Please note that you may NOT submit your assignment via e-mail. Assignments sent to
lecturers via e-mail cannot be accepted.

How do I find my e-tutor on myUnisa?

All students are assigned e-tutors for ENG1501 by around April of the academic year. Consult
the ‘How to find your e-tutor site guide’ available on myUnisa for step-by-step instructions on
finding your e-tutor. If you have tried the steps above by April, and cannot seem to find your e-
tutor, please send an e-mail in this regard to ENG1501@unisa.ac.za. Remember to include
your name, surname, and student number.

For any other queries, remember that the Study @ Unisa website contains a guide of frequently
asked questions and the most relevant study information.

13 SOURCES CONSULTED
Fisher, M. 2006. ‘I will not apologise!’. In: Various. Twist: short stories inspired by tabloid
headlines. Cape Town: Oshun Books.
Mann, C. ‘Testimony’. In: Chapman, M. The New Century of South African Poetry.
Johannesburg: Ad Donker.
Mohlele, N. 2013. Small Things. Johannesburg: Jacana.

14 IN CLOSING
Remember that to succeed at ENG1501, you need to utilise all the resources made available to
you – especially the additional support material on the ENG1501 myUnisa site. You need to
work hard and consistently for the duration of the year. It is of special importance that you make
sure you attend your weekly e-tutorials on myUnisa and that you keep a writing journal where
you keep a record of all your study activities in the module (see Tutorial Letter 501 for more
information in this regard). Submit all three of your assignments on time.

When approaching your lecturers for assistance, we will ask for your writing journal, as it could
help us understand what kind of challenges you might be experiencing in the module. In

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addition, we may ask you for copies of the regular activities you have completed as part of your
e-tutorials on myUnisa. Succeeding at this module requires very regular and active engagement
with your learning content. This includes active participation in your e-tutorials every week.

Lastly, we urge you to educate yourself on the dangers of plagiarism, and to avoid committing
any kind of academic dishonesty. There are resources available on myUnisa that can help you
in this regard. Keep in mind that you can only succeed at this module if you study honestly.
There are no shortcuts!

We hope that you will enjoy this module and we wish you every success in your studies.

Best wishes

The ENG1501 team

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 ENG1501/101/0/2022

15 DECLARATION REGARDING PLAGIARISM

You should add a completed copy of this plagiarism declaration to all your assignments.

DECLARATION REGARDING PLAGIARISM

DECLARATION

Name and student number: …………………………………………………….

Assignment topic: ……………………………………………………………………

I declare that this assignment is my own original work. Where secondary material has been used
(either from a printed source or from the Internet), this has been carefully acknowledged and referenced
in accordance with departmental requirements. I understand what plagiarism is and am aware of the
department’s policy in this regard. I have not allowed anyone else to borrow or copy my work.

Signature: ……………………………………………………………………

Date: ………………………………….

DECLARATION REGARDING PLAGIARISM

DECLARATION

Name and student number: …………………………………………………….

Assignment topic: ……………………………………………………………………

I declare that this assignment is my own original work. Where secondary material has been used
(either from a printed source or from the Internet), this has been carefully acknowledged and referenced
in accordance with departmental requirements. I understand what plagiarism is and am aware of the
department’s policy in this regard. I have not allowed anyone else to borrow or copy my work.

Signature: ……………………………………………………………………

Date: ………………………………….

DECLARATION REGARDING PLAGIARISM

DECLARATION

Name and student number: …………………………………………………….

Assignment topic: ……………………………………………………………………

I declare that this assignment is my own original work. Where secondary material has been used
(either from a printed source or from the Internet), this has been carefully acknowledged and referenced
in accordance with departmental requirements. I understand what plagiarism is and am aware of the
department’s policy in this regard. I have not allowed anyone else to borrow or copy my work.

Signature: ……………………………………………………………………

Date: ………………………………….

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