Planning and writing assignments
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This document provides guidance on various aspects of completing a written assignment, including reading the brief, conducting research, managing time, taking notes, creating a plan, writing, and proofreading. It recommends highlighting keywords in the brief, understanding assessment criteria, researching relevant information from multiple sources, breaking assignments into tasks with deadlines, taking notes without plagiarizing, structuring written work with an introduction, body, and conclusion, and having another review the work for errors. The goal is to help students effectively complete assignments by planning, organizing research, and drafting and proofreading their work.
Planning and writing assignments
- 2. Assignment Brief Research Time Management Take Notes Assignment Plan Writing Assignment Proofreading
- 3. Read the assignment brief several times and highlight the keywords Do I understand the assessment criteria? What do I need to do to achieve the criteria? Analyse- What are the main points and why? Compare- What are the similarities and differences and why? Contrast- What is the difference between the two items? Define- What is the meaning? Discuss - What are the most important points? Summarise- What are the main points?
- 4. Before starting your research think about: What information do I need to find? What do I know already? Has my tutor recommended any books or websites? How long is the assignment? You should use a range of information sources e.g. books, journal articles and e-books Use the library catalogue to find out what books are available from the Study Centres Read the assignment brief regularly to check you are finding relevant information
- 5. Students often feel overwhelmed about their workload Make a list of assignments and when due Break each assignment into smaller tasks and estimate how long will take Plan when and where you are going to study Take regular breaks
- 6. Use bullet points or create a mind map Write down the main points using keywords and short sentences Highlight keywords using different colours Do not copy large amounts – plagiarism Keep a list of the books and internet sites that you use
- 7. Help if you are struggling to start an assignment Introduction- explain the points you are going to make, how you answered the question Main body-list main points for each question, support your ideas with evidence from your research Conclusion-summary of main ideas and points, should not contain any new information Bibliography – list of books and websites used
- 8. Check that the punctuation, spelling and grammar is correct Do not rely on the computers spellchecker Does the assignment answer the brief? Do I need to include any additional information? Have I used examples to support the points I have made? Is it referenced correctly?
- 9. Study Skills for Higher Education moodle site Books on study skills available from Study Centres S Cottrell, (2008) The study skills handbook. Study Centre staff – help you find relevant resources and plan and proofread your assignment