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One of the main types of assessment used at tertiary level is the
Writing Assignment. It is essential that students of any discipline be
able to organise and express written ideas in a readable, grammatically
correct format, using appropriate style, referencing and layout.
Where do you start?
Follow these seven steps to writing your assignment:
- Brainstorm
- the topic, the question/s.
What specific questions are being asked?
How might I structure my answer?
- Research
- the topic. Your lecturers are marking your work - what materials are
they recommending?
Search the library catalogue for additional relevant books and
articles.
- Skeleton
- develop an outline.
Summarize the material in point form as you read. Expand your notes
into a bigger skeleton outline.
Keep reading and listing. Add complete sentences.
- Revise
- reorder and add to your outline. Group similar issues together.
- Write
- expand your outline.
Start with the main body. Write the introduction and conclusions last.
Attribute quotes and ideas and create a reference list as you write.
Keep an eye on word count.
- Revise
- extensively and often.
Stay focused and think critically. Keep asking yourself, 'Have I
answered the question?'
- Reference
- as you go, so you don’t miss any out
(tools like Refworks are useful – the UB Library offers classes in how
to use it).
Be prepared to produce several drafts before reaching the final version.
Essay
Structure
- Introduction
- One paragraph or several, depending on essay length
(approximately 15% of total essay length).
- State the topic and provide background information
and any definitions.
- Body
- Divide into paragraphs with one point per
paragraph
(approximately 75% of total essay length).
- The number of paragraphs depends on the length of
the essay.
- Include examples and references to support each
statement.
- Conclusion
- Usually one paragraph in length (approximately
10%
of the total essay length).
- Sum up the main points and reconfirm the main
argument or statement.
The Presentation of Academic Work
When preparing your final draft, use ‘General
Guide for the
Presentation of Academic Work’ as a
guide.
To learn more about this topic, download the PDF or
Doc
file below.
Download
Written Assignments PDF
Download Written Assignments Doc
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