Assignment Task

This coursework constitutes the second attempt assessment for the Legal Writing and Research module. This assessment consists of two parts that must both be answered in a maximum of 750 words in each part. The assessment is designed to cover all learning outcomes for this module by examining legal writing and research skills.

Part A – Instructions

Part A is worth 50% of the overall mark in this assessment. In this part of the coursework, you must produce an academic poster that critically analyses a current legal issue (within the last three years). The academic poster should include the following:

1. A clearly stated research title/question.
2. An introduction that signposts the reader through the poster’s core arguments.
3. A clear argument must be developed throughout the poster.
4. Relevant primary sources (case law, legislation, etc…).
5. Relevant secondary sources (peer-reviewed journal articles, specialist books, etc…).
6. A conclusion that draws your poster to a close.

Note that this list is not exhaustive. It is recommended that students refer to Michelle Kane’s lecture slides for support and guidance on producing an academic poster.

Students do not need to print this poster. It should be submitted digitally to Turnitin on Moodle before the deadline.

The academic poster will be marked using the ‘Academic Poster’ marking rubric that is included later in this document.

Part B – Instructions

Part B is worth 50% of the overall mark in this assessment. In this part of the coursework, students must produce an answer to the following question (maximum of 750 words) about the legal writing skills used to create their academic poster:

‘What did you find most challenging about the writing required for Part A of this assignment?’

Part B should be included in the same document as the academic poster on a separate page. Students MUST include the following in their work:

1. An account of the development of their academic poster (Part A). This should include references to developing feedback on their writing skills from other assessments to improve the final version of the academic poster.
2. Reference to at least two specific legal writing skills. An illustrative list of specific legal writing skills is detailed below, but this is not exhaustive :

• presentation
• formatting
• structure
• use and flow of language
• grammar
• spelling 
• organization
• punctuation
• OSCOLA referencing
• bibliography

1. The skills identified in Part B must be evidenced with examples, which can be from other assessments or earlier drafts of the academic poster. These examples should be incorporated using a text box within the answer, clearly explaining how each specific legal writing skill has been developed.

2. Where relevant, students should include references to the sources and resources used to develop the specific legal writing skills they have chosen as the focus of their answers.

Your submission will take the form of a 1500-word piece of written work. The word count is split equally between Part A and Part B. Note that neither Part A or Part B can exceed 750 words.

Submission date: this work is due for submission on or before Friday 20 ^th July 2024 by 1 pm (13:00) UK time zone.

Submission Hand-in Arrangements: Students are required to submit their coursework assignment to Turnitin via the link on the module Moodle site. Students are encouraged to submit drafts through the Turnitin student checkpoints prior to the submission deadline. Both parts of this coursework should be submitted in a single document.

There are mark penalties for late hand-in – see the Generic module information link on the Moodle site.

Please Note that the deadline for submission is 1 pm on the submission date – this means that your assessment must be fully uploaded by 1pm. Assessments uploaded at 1 pm or later will be marked as late. Students should submit in advance of the final deadline wherever possible. Computer uploading delays and other IT difficulties are not accepted as extenuating circumstances.

If there is a problem with Moodle at the time of submission students should email their coursework to submissions with the following details:

Student Number

Module Name / Module Number

Course name that you are studying

Screenshot of the error

Word Limit: Part A – 750 words. Part B – 750 words. The words used in the bibliography and footnotes are excluded from the word count. In Part B, the text boxes are excluded from the word count. The total word count for each part should be stated at the top of the piece of coursework, ideally in a header with the student number. Failure to state a word count will result in a penalty of 5% of the original mark awarded. A falsely stated word count is an assessment office that may result in a penalty, including reducing the mark to 0%. Note that footnotes should be used to reference sources only. Examiners are free to disregard footnotes that contain inappropriate information or information that should belong in the main text.

Coursework that is over the stated word limit will result in a penalty of 10% of the original mark awarded . For the avoidance of doubt, the penalty will be applied to any work that exceeds the stated word limit of 1500 words, excluding footnotes, bibliography, and the statement confirming the identity and location of the subject essay. Students are NOT permitted to exceed the word limit by 10% or any other amount.

Referencing Requirements: Students must reference all sources using the Oxford Standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities (OSCOLA). Reference should be made to the primary source, except when the primary source can no longer be obtained. Poor citation of sources will result in a loss of marks.

Referencing is required to give intellectual credit to your source, help your reader recover your source easily and to avoid being accused of plagiarism.

Students are reminded that the University will not tolerate academic dishonesty in any form. This is cheating.

Bibliography Requirements: Students are only required to provide a bibliography for secondary sources.

Plagiarism: Students are reminded of the need to avoid plagiarism. The University Regulations describe plagiarism as:

the incorporation by a student in work for assessment of material which is not their own, in the sense that all or a substantial part of the work has been copied without any adequate attempt at attribution or has been incorporated as if it were the student’s own when in fact it is wholly or substantially the work of another person or persons.

Any student suspected of plagiarising will be referred for an Academic Misconduct Hearing.

Students should ensure that all sources are fully cited in footnotes and in the bibliography and that indentation or quotation marks (as appropriate) are used when quoting. Failure to include a bibliography will result in a 5% penalty unless the lecturer/tutor has advised you that a bibliography is not required. A bibliography will only be required for secondary sources

Formatting:

Part A: The academic poster must be A3 size. Creativity is encouraged with the formatting, but it is important to remember that this is an academic poster, requiring it to be formatted in a professional style.

Part B: The work should be word-processed. Font size should be between 11 and 14 and ‘easy to read’ e.g. Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman. Line spacing should be between 1.5 and 2 with (approx.) 4 cm margins all round.

Electronic Copy of Work: Students should retain an electronic copy of their coursework, so that it may be checked by a member of staff should a member of staff feel the need to do so. Tutors are entitled to request an electronic copy of coursework if they have any doubt about the accuracy of the stated word count and/or any suspicion of plagiarism. Failure to send an electronic copy of the coursework to a member of staff who has asked for a copy may result in a penalty. 

If any student has a query about any of the above matters and wishes to obtain clarification or further information, please contact your Module Coordinator or personal tutor.

Marking: Marking will be done in accordance with the attached rubric and the attached University of Portsmouth grading criteria for UG level 5. Marks and feedback will be available online within 20 working days from the submission deadline. Students will be emailed when it is ready.