Academic Writing Guideline Academic Writing Guideline

PROPERTY OF FSSR, UiTM

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Academic Writing Guideline Academic Writing Guideline

TABLE OF CONTENT

PAGE
ITEMS

1.0 CHAPTERS 3

2.0 WRITING FORMAT 5

3.0 BINDING 7

8
4.0 FINAL SUBMISSION OF AN ACADEMIC
WRITING

9
5.0 PLAGIARISM

11
6.0 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

12
7.0 MARKING & GRADING CRITERIA

13
8.0 MARKING SCHEME/ RUBRIC / MARKBAND

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Academic Writing Guideline Academic Writing Guideline

The aim of this guide is to help students of Faculty Art & Design,
Notes Universiti Teknologi MARA in preparation of their academic writing. This
guide will assist students to write their academic writing in a formal and
suitable academic style. Students are advised to adhere to the
specifications outlined here to ensure that their academics writing are
deemed acceptable for degree examination and standing.

1.0 CHAPTERS

The major chapters of an academic writing generally include the

following:

ITEMS REMARKS WEIGHTAGE

CHAPTER 1: This section is the introductory

INTRODUCTION chapter that briefly explain on:

1. Key areas of the research and

its contribution
2. Indicates the problem
statement, objectives,
significance and its originality

CHAPTER 2: This section is an overview of the Approximately

BACKGROUND research that: 15-20%
RESEARCH
1. Includes a fully-review and
discussion of previous studies
which are relevant to the
research

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Academic Writing Guideline Academic Writing Guideline

commercial
ITEMS REMARKS WEIGHTAGE

POOR

practicality
value and
1

Illogical

flawed
CHAPTER 3: This section sets forth the research Approximately
RESEARCH objectives to be attained. 10-15%
METHODOLOGY
1. For studio-based research,

commercial
delineate the integral

practicality
WEAK

value and
contributions to form, content

Minimal
and function of the artwork/
design
2. Descriptions of methods and
technique employed throughout
the research (quantitative and

AVERAGE

commercial
quality and

practicality
qualitative) such as

Sufficient

marginal
3
questionnaire, observation,
experimental and
documentation

CHAPTER 4: This section provides the results and Approximately

ANALYSIS AND analysis of data obtained from the 50-60%
FINDINGS research. It can be reported in the

GOOD

commercial

exploratory
quality and

practicality
form of figures, tables and descriptive

Valuable
text.

CHAPTER 5: This section highlights the conclusion Approximately

CONCLUSION which is drawn in line with the 10-15%
AND objective and the development of

valuable commercial
quality and cutting
RECOMMENDA- practical recommendations for future

EXCELLENT

edge practicality
TION research.

Exceptionally
5
REFERENCES This section should include all the
references cited in the research.

The references must have at least 20

entries that include only books and
refereed journal. This entries does not

3.2 Practicality
include online references.

APPENDICES This section may contain relevant

(10m)
supplementary materials.

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Academic Writing Guideline Academic Writing Guideline

2.0 WRITING FORMAT

content of the

and irrelevant
The structure

unorganized
POOR

research is
The format for the Faculty of Art & Design academic writing is

research
No clear
1

and the
American Psychological Association (APA) documentation
system. Further information can be retrieved from:
content of the

and irrelevant
www.apastyle.org
The structure

The research
is insufficient
research is
insufficient
WEAK

and the
2

2.1 Language and Length of Writing

As a general guideline, an academic writing should be
written in English and the length should be approximately
content of the
The structure

The research
is incomplete
AVERAGE

appropriate
research is

redundant
from 5,000 to 6,000 words excluding the references and

based on

literature
3

and the

review
appendices

2.2 Presentation and Printing

organized and the

original based on
research is clear

literature review
The research is
The structure is

ORIGINALITY AND PRACTICALITY (20 MARKS)

All final copies of the academic writing should be typed

content of the
GOOD

the complete
and relevant

using computer software and printed on a laser printer.

4

2.3 Typeface, Font Size, Paper and Pagination

a) The appropriate fonts for the academic writing are
excellent quality of
EXCELLENT

grounded based

literature review
The research is
The structure is

Times New Roman or Arial. The font size should be

comprehensive
organized and
consists of an
exceptionally

original and

12 point for Times New Roman and 11 point for Arial.

completely
5

content

b) Double line spacing must be used in between lines.

on the

Single spacing is used for quotations longer than three

lines set in a block and references.
and coherence

3.1 Originality

c) The academic writing must be typed on one side of an

2.2 Structure

of the writing

A4 size paper.
(10m)

(10m)
3.

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 2.4
Academic Writing Guideline







i.
ii.

v.
iii.
iv.
c) Abstract
Date
Name
2.4.1 Preliminary Pages

6
d) Acknowledgement
Student ID

Introduction
Department
Research Title
a) The first page includes:
Content of an Academic Writing

Analysis and Findings

Background Research
Research Methodology
numbered in Roman numerals (I, ii, iii).

consecutively in Arabic numerals (1,2,3).

e) Table of Contents (refer to Figure 3)

b) Author’s Declaration (refer to Figure 2)
Preliminary Pages, Main Text and Ending Page

Conclusion and Recommendation

An academic writing consists of three major sections:
e) All pages of the main text should be numbered
d) The preliminary pages preceding Chapter 1 must be

EXCELLENT GOOD AVERAGE WEAK POOR

5 4 3 2 1
Academic Writing Guideline

1.5 Conclusion The conclusion as The conclusion is The The The conclusion
and well as the entire harmonious and conclusion is conclusion is is illogical
Recommendatio work reflects an well-justified to the anchored to superficial
n (10m) excellent critical objective the objective and unclear
insight into the without focus
objective
19

2. LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION (20 MARKS)

2.1 Quality of The academic The academic The academic The The academic
writing (10m) writing is written in writing is written writing is academic writing
scholarly language clearly with correct written with writing severely
with excellent grammar appropriate occasionally neglects
grammar language and neglects proper
grammar proper language
language conventions
conventions and grammar
and grammar
 EXCELLENT GOOD AVERAGE WEAK POOR
5 4 3 2 1

1.3 Research The objective is The objective is The objective is The objective is The objective
Methodology exceptionally precise clear and carefully sufficient superficial and is unclear
(10m) and clear justified partly illogical and has been
Academic Writing Guideline

insufficiently
specified

Excellent Clear Sufficient Weak Irrelevant

understanding of the understanding of justification of justification of justification of
research the research the research the research the research
methodology and methodology and methodology methodology methodology
focus for the research appropriateness and and not and

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for the research appropriateness appropriate for superficial for
for the research the research the research

1.4 Analysis The analysis and The analysis has The analysis The analysis is The analysis
and Findings results have been been presented in has been narrow and the is poorly
(25m) presented in a clear an organized presented results are organized
and organized way manner and the conventionally unclear and the
which allows a essential results and the results results are
profound can be found support the irrelevant
interpretation easily interpretation

3.0

3.2
3.1

c)
b)
a)
BINDING
Academic Writing Guideline

Name
i.
i.

ii.
ii.

v.
iii.
iv.
vi.
vii.

Student ID
2.4.3 Ending Page

Research Title

7
g) List of Appendices

2.4.2 Main Text (refer to 1.0)

References

Introduction

Appendices
Appendices

Analysis and Findings

Background Research
Research Methodology

academic writing cover (refer to Figure 1):

writing may be submitted in comb binding.
f) List of Table(s), Figure(s) and Plate(s)

References (refer to Figure 4)

Conclusion and Recommendation

The following particulars should be provided on the

For the purpose of examination, the copies of the academic
 5.0
4.0

4.4
4.3
4.2
4.1
e)
d)
Academic Writing Guideline

spine.

PLAGIARISM
Date

of Department.
Department

will be considered failed.

8
research for faculty documentation purposes.
FINAL SUBMISSION OF AN ACADEMIC WRITING

giving the author or artist proper credit or acknowledgement.

week before the last week of examination period to the Head
The academic writing should be submitted approximately a

Plagiarism is copying the work of another author or artist without

Two hardbound copies of an academic writing must be

Final submission of each hardbound academic writings

hardbound in black and lettered in gold for the cover and

Failure to submit the academic writing without a valid reason

should contain a CD-R disc burned with the soft copy of the

MARKING SCHEME / RUBRIC / MARKBAND

1. CONTENT EXCELLENT GOOD AVERAGE WEAK POOR

(60 MARKS) 5 4 3 2 1
Academic Writing Guideline

1.1 Introduction The student has The student's The student's The The student's
(5m) an excellent breadth and breadth student's breadth
substantial breadth depth of and depth of breadth and depth of
and depth of knowledge is knowledge is and depth of knowledge is
knowledge on the good adequate knowledge is poor
introduction weak
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1.2 Background The literature is The literature is The literature is The The literature is
Research (10m) evidently described related appropriately literature is poorly
described related to the theme of described not clearly described
to the theme of the the research task related to the described related to the
research task and and problems, theme of the related to theme of the
problems, and it and it consists of research task the theme of research task
consists of suitable suitable and problems, the research and problems,
references references and it consists task and and it consists
of appropriate problems, of poor
references and it references
consists of
weak
references
Academic Writing Guideline Academic Writing Guideline

5.1 Student Assessment Disciplinary Procedure

7.4 Grading Scheme
If it is established that a considerable portion of the
GRADE/ MARKS LEVEL academic writing is plagiarized, then the student should
A+ [90-100] DISTINCTION receive an “F” or failure with the status FD by the Senate.
A [80-89]
A- [75-79]
[Source: Peraturan Akademik: Program Diploma dan Ijazah
B+ [70-74] CREDIT
B [65-69] Sarjana Muda – Pindaan 2010 (Cetakan Akademik); pp 12
B- [60-64]
& 27]
C+ [55-59] SATISFACTORY
C [50-54]

C- [47-49] WEAK-FAIL
D+ [44-46]
D [40-43]
E [30-39]
F [0-29]

8.0 MARKING SCHEME / RUBRIC / MARKBAND

The rubrics are designed to assist students to determine whether

their academic writing meets the Faculty of Art & Design
standards.

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Academic Writing Guideline Academic Writing Guideline

Figure 1: Format of Spine and Academic Writing Cover 7.0 MARKING & GRADING CRITERIA

7.1 Content 60 marks

a) Introduction - (5 m)
3 cm
5 cm b) Background Research - (10 m)
Name (18 point)

c) Research Methodology - (10 m)

Universiti Teknologi MARA (18 point) d) Analysis and Findings - (25 m)
e) Conclusion and Recommendation - (10 m)

7.2 Languages and Presentation 20 marks

a) Quality of writing - (10 m)
Research Title (18 point)
Department (18 point)

b) Structure and coherence of the writing - (10 m)

7.3 Originality and Practicality 20 marks

Name (14 point & Bold)
Student ID (14 point & Bold) a) Originality - (10 m)
Centred

b) Practicality - (10 m)

Department (18 point)

UiTM 2010 (18 point)

November 2010 (18 point)

5 cm
3 cm

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Academic Writing Guideline Academic Writing Guideline

6.0 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Figure 2: Author’s Declaration

The academic writing assessment will comprise of the following:

AUTHOR’S DECLARATION
6.1 Content (60%)
a) A general description of the objectives and the research
I declare that the work in this academic writing was carried out in
contributions
accordance with the regulations of Universiti Teknologi MARA. It is original
b) The content of the review is drawn from acceptable
and is the result of my own work, unless otherwise indicated or
journals and sound academic resources related to the acknowledged as referenced work. This writing has not been submitted to
research objectives any other academic institution or non-academic institution for any other
c) Clearly describes how the research methodology purposes.
derives logically from the stated problem and the
process which the data will be generated and treated In the event that my writing be found to violate the conditions mentioned

d) A detailed analysis of the results and presented in a above, I voluntarily waive the right of conferment of my degree and agree
to the disciplinary rules and regulations of Universiti Teknologi MARA.
manner that addresses the research objectives
e) Provides a brief summary that can be drawn from the
objectives and suggestions for future research
Name ……………………………………………………….
Student ID ……………………………………………………….
6.2 Language and Presentation (20%) Department ……………………………………………………….
a) Exceptional quality of writing and grammar Faculty ……………………………………………………….
b) Evidentiary content are specific, detailed, and Title ……………………………………………………….
organized

6.3 Originality and Practicality (20%)

a) Significant evidence of originality Signature ……………………………...
Date ………………………………
b) Substantial contributions with commercial value and
practicality

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Academic Writing Guideline Academic Writing Guideline

Figure 3: Table of Contents Figure 4: Examples of References Format

Book:

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Perloff, R.M. (2010). The Visual Research in Art & Design. New York: Academic
Press.
Page

Author’s Declaration i Nicol, D. & Chong, W. (2009). Malaysian Sports: Standing in the Eyes of the World.

Abstract ii Kuala Lumpur: Random House.

Acknowledgement iii
List of Table(s), Figure(s) and Plate(s) iv Journal:

List of Appendices v
Abdullah, M. (2011). Semiotic in Visual Merchandising. Journal of International

CHAPTER Marketing, 44(2), 12-31.

1. Introduction 1 Website:

2. Background Research 2
3. Research Methodology 5 Akmal, I. (2010). Branding Architecture in Graphic Design. Retrieved March 17,

4. Analysis and Findings 8 2011, from http:// zulrant.wordpress.com

5. Conclusion and Recommendation 11

Mustafa, G. (n.d.). Art Education in Malaysia. Retrieved January 23, 2011, from

References 13 http:// ad.uitm.edu.my

Appendices 15

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