How to Pass ENG1503: Academic Language and Literacy (2026 Guide)

Module: ENG1503 (Academic Language and Literacy in English)
Type: Semester Module
Focus: Academic Reading, Writing Strategies, and Genre Awareness

Introduction

ENG1503 is the toolbox for your degree. It teaches you the “language of the university.”

You will learn that academic writing is not just about using big words; it’s about structure, evidence, and logic. If you master this module, your marks in all other modules will improve.

The 5 Core Pillars

Based on the Study Guide, the exam and assignments focus on these five areas:

1. Reading Strategies (Learning Unit 1)

You cannot write well if you cannot read deep. You must know:

Skimming: Reading quickly for the main idea.
Scanning: Reading quickly to find specific facts (dates, names).
The SQ4R Method: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review, Reflect. This is the gold standard for studying textbooks.

2. The Writing Process (Learning Unit 2)

Academic writing is a cycle, not a one-off event.

Pre-writing: Brainstorming and mind-mapping.
Drafting: Writing the first rough version.
Revising: Changing the ideas and structure (Big picture).
Editing: Checking grammar and spelling (Small details).

3. Essay Genres (Learning Units 2 & 3)

You must know the difference between these essay types:

Expository: Explaining facts (e.g., “The causes of global warming”).
Argumentative: Taking a side and defending it (e.g., “The death penalty should be abolished”).
Compare and Contrast: Showing similarities and differences.
Cause and Effect: Explaining why something happened.

4. Research & Referencing (Learning Unit 4)

This is where students lose the most marks.

Plagiarism: Using someone else’s ideas without credit.
In-text Citation: (Smith, 2025:10).
Reference List: The full list of sources at the end.
Synthesis: Combining ideas from multiple sources into one coherent argument.

5. Academic Language (Learning Unit 5)

You need to sound professional.

Nominalization: Turning verbs into nouns (e.g., “They decided” becomes “The decision”).
Hedging: Using cautious language (e.g., “It suggests that…” instead of “This proves that…”).
Formal Register: No slang, no contractions (don’t use “can’t”, use “cannot”).

My Top Tips for Distinction

1. Master the “Thesis Statement”
Every essay needs a thesis statement in the introduction. This is one sentence that tells the reader exactly what your argument is. If your thesis is weak, your essay will fail.

2. Learn the “Harvard” Method
UNISA uses the Harvard referencing style. Memorize the format for a Book and a Journal Article. You will use this in every single assignment for your degree.

3. Use Linking Words
To make your writing flow, use transition words:

However (to show contrast)
Furthermore (to add information)
Consequently (to show result)

Conclusion

ENG1503 is about communication. If you can read a complex text and explain it clearly in your own words, you have mastered this module.

Write clearly, reference correctly, and you will succeed!