Glossary (S)

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Term Description
school of thought

A group of people who broadly share similar beliefs, ideas, styles or methods in relation to a specified discipline or field of enquiry.

self-evaluation

The process of looking back at your performance and the strategies you have chosen and seeing what is working well and what needs to be changed in order to reach your goals. This is done by yourself instead of getting input from your teacher/lecturer.

self-motivated

The ability to decide what has to be done and start work on your own terms - without needing a prompt from anyone else.

self-reflection

The process of looking back at your methods, achievements and attitudes and working out for yourself what you do well, and what may need to be improved.

short-answer questions

Questions which require a direct answer, ranging from multiple choice questions to questions that require roughly a single-page answer.

short-listing

The process of selecting a few candidates who may be suitable for the job.

social networking

The use of websites and applications designed specifically for the purpose of interacting with other users or to find people with similar interests.

source

The original document from which text, information or ideas have been drawn. 
see document
see also plagiarism; reference; referencing system

spatial plan

A visual plan that indicates how much space each part of your written work will occupy and so allows you to work out how much detail you can include in each section. 
see also argument; conclusion; planning
compare concept pyramid; linear plan

statistics

Sets of data, and techniques for working with them.

strategies

The methods or plans that will enable you to achieve your goals.

strategy

A concerted plan of action to achieve a goal.

stress

The body’s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response. Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, nervous, or anxious. 

subjectivity

Taking a position on the basis of personal opinions, tastes or feelings.
compare objectivity    
see also opinion

summary

A much shorter account of the overall content and meaning of another text. 
see reference 
compare paraphrase; quotation

symbol

A letter, figure or sign that stands for a word, phrase, quantity, operation, function or the like, used to save time and space in writing out the text in full.

symposium

An academic conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject.