This is more complex than essay writing and requires more detail and possibly referencing to the sources of your information, which will be used in the preparation of the assignment.
Here’s a list of the requirements:
1/. Read carefully the requirements for the Assignment.
Make sure that you understand what is required.
Check the due date.
Check the word count (or number of pages required), where applicable.
Then when you have an understanding of the requirements and have taken note of them, it’s time to start the ‘real stuff’.
2/. Do your research.
In doing this, make dot point notes of what you consider to be relevant responses to the task requirements that you have researched.
Also make notes of your sources for the research, in case you need them again. In assignments in senior years you may need to reference these sources either in text or at the end. There may well be several articles needed to research.
3/. Prepare your draft, referring again back to the task and using your dot point notes.
Make sure that when writing your task, you write it and do not make a conversation out of it, as it is a written piece of work, not a chat!
Usually the assignment writing will be done in the past tense… he was, the were, it was, there were…
Keep your sentences and paragraphs short, for easier reading. Long sentences in particular are ‘painful’!
Ensure that when the draft is completed, you go back and re-check it against the task requirements.
At this point do a spelling and grammar check.
(If you need to make a comment, use brackets and speech marks – “This information may sound ridiculous, but they are the presented facts!”) Here you have added a personal comment but noted the facts were as presented!
4/. Take a break, if possible.
Do something else, like going for a run or something or take the dog/s for a walk. Have food and drink. If possible, have a break of a possibly a day before you get back to it. This means you will have more time to think about what you can include.
Don’t rush it! It is very obvious when a task is done in a rush and usually things are left out!
5/. Start preparing the final document.
Use short paragraphs and not too long sentences. (Makes much easier reading!)
Plan Your Assignment Structure
Once you are sure that you understand the brief, it's time to plan the structure of your assignment. Most assignments follow a similar structure, which typically includes:
5.1 Introduction: This is where you introduce the topic, state your main argument or thesis, and outline what the reader can expect from your work.
5.2 Main Body (divided into paragraphs): This is where you develop your argument or analysis, providing evidence, examples, and research to support your points.
5.3 Conclusion: This is where you summarise your findings and restate your main argument, without introducing any new information.
6/. Start with a Good Strong Introduction
The introduction of an assignment is vital, as it establishes the foundation for the rest of your work. A strong introduction engages the reader and clearly outlines the structure and focus of the assignment.
Here’s an assignment introduction example for a humanities topic:
Note how this introduction directly presents the topic, identifies the central focus, and sets clear expectations for the reader. When writing your introduction, make sure it addresses the assignment prompt while remaining concise and to the point.
Stay Focused and Stay with the Point
One of the most common mistakes students make is straying off-topic. To avoid this, always refer back to your assignment brief and keep your main argument or thesis in mind. Each paragraph should serve a purpose, contributing to your overall argument or analysis.
Before you start writing each paragraph, ask yourself these questions:
Does this support my main argument?
Is this relevant to the assignment brief?
If the answer is no, reconsider what additional information needs to be included.
Use Evidence to Support Your Argument
A well-written assignment does’t just present your ideas – it backs them up with evidence. This can include academic articles, books, or reputable online sources. Always make sure your sources are credible and relevant to your subject area.
Each point you make in the body of your assignment should be supported by evidence. For example, if you’re writing about climate change, you might cite statistics from a scientific study or refer to a journal article discussing global temperature trends.
Analyse, Don’t Just Describe
A common pitfall in academic writing is relying too heavily on description rather than analysis. While it’s important to explain your key points and provide context, higher marks are awarded for critical analysis.
For example, rather than just stating that "climate change is caused by increased levels of greenhouse gases," you should analyse the issue by discussing why these gases have increased, what the implications are, and how they might be reduced.
Structure Your Paragraphs Effectively
A well structured paragraph should follow a clear format. The steps are:
Point: State your main point.
Evidence: Provide evidence to support your point.
Explanation: Explain how the evidence supports your point.
Link: Link back to your main argument or to the next paragraph.
This structure ensures that your paragraphs are cohesive, making your assignment easier to follow.
Include Proper Referencing, where required
Correct referencing is essential in academic writing, as it only does give credit to the original authors, but it also demonstrates that you’ve done thorough research.
Before starting your assignment, ensure you know which referencing style is required (e.g. Harvard, APA, or MLA). Pay attention to details like punctuation, page numbers, and italics, as incorrect formatting can result in lost marks.
Additionally, make a record of all the sources you used during your research so that you can easily compile your bibliography at the end.
Edit and Proofread and Spell Check, as well as Grammar Check Your Work
Once you’ve completed your first draft, don’t submit it straight away. Editing and proofreading are essential steps in the writing process.
This is where you can refine your work, catch any mistakes, and ensure that your argument is clear.
a/. There are no spelling or grammar errors.
b/. Clarity: Are your sentences clear and concise, as well as not being too long?
c/. Flow: Does one paragraph lead logically to the next?
d/. Consistency: Are you consistent in your use of tenses, formatting, and terminology?
It’s also a good idea to take a break before proofreading, as a fresh perspective can help you spot mistakes more easily.
When this is done, do a spelling and grammar check, as well as sentence construction check. Ensure there are capitals for names of people and places.
When this is completed, take a break.
Proof read what you have done and check this against the task requirements. Again do a spelling and grammar check, just to be sure!
Make sure what you have prepared makes sense!
Hand it in, by the due date.
If you follow this plan and do not leave it until the last minute to do. It will be really obvious if you do!
If your method of preparation includes using a computer and not a written hand-in, you have much more flexibility – such as spelling and grammar checks, moving sentences and paragraphs around by cut’n’paste.
IF however it is a handwritten essay or assignment, write neatly, so that your work can be read. The big drawback here is when editing you may well have to rewrite your work all over again!
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