Preparing and understanding assignments

Preparing and understanding assignments

Essays

Main purpose of an essay is to make an argument. Essays need a clear structure and good research. They're often longer pieces of writing.

Short answer assignments

These involve writing brief answers to one or several questions, which are designed to test subject knowledge and information-processing skills. They’re often done as regular homework or exams, rather than as longer pieces of work.

Types of written assignments

Reports

Written to present research and analyse findings. They contain particular sections: Abstract - summary of the findings Methodology - research methods used Reports tend to be more impersonal and objective than essays - more common in sciences and business courses than humanities.

Literature Reviews

Written to systematically review academic materials on a particular topic ('the literature'). They are often used to identify gaps in what has already been written by the academic community.

Watch the video. See if you can pick up FOUR tips for understanding the details of written assignments, and the meanings of SEVEN 'process' or 'instruction' words.

Essay writing

• Develop an essay structure by making focused notes

• Have the question in front of you while you read the relevant chapter in your textbook - only write information which is directly relevant

• Make it clear how you are going to address the question

• Set out your main ideas clearly and how they relate to each other

• Use straightforward language

• Take the reader through your answer in a logical way

• Organise groups of 'related' information in paragraphs

• Plan in advance what you are going to say, how you will develop your arguments and what evidence you will use to demonstrate or support your points

• Explain how any points that you make relates to the question

• Set yourself an early deadline for producing the first draft, so there is plenty of time for review and improvements

• Ensure that your spelling, grammar and punctuation are as good as possible

• Ensure that your essay is formatted and referenced correctly

• Make sure to use your own words to avoid plagiarism!

General essay structure

Main Body/Argument

Introduction

Conclusion

Introduction

• Set the scene

• Outline what the essay will cover - themes/issues you will explore and in which order

• Define and explain key terms if necessary

Main Body / Argument

• Contains the points outlined in your introduction, divided into paragraphs

For example...

• Paragraph 1 - Covers the first thing you said you would address; The first sentence (topic sentence) introduces the main idea of the paragraph; Other sentences develop the topic.
• Paragraph 2 (and others) - The first sentence links the paragraph to the previous paragraph then introduces the main idea of the paragraph.

Conclusion

• Draw everything together

• Summarise the main themes

• State our general conclusions

• Why those conclusions are important

• Sum up your argument briefly, linking it to the title/question

Show similarities and differences between things. Perhaps show which is preferable.

1. Compare

2. Contrast

Look for differences between two things.

Make a judgement about something, based on evidence, not based on personal opinion.

3. Evaluate / Critisise

4. Define

Give exact meaning, or meanings, of a word, phrase or theory

5. Disscuss

Explore an issue, giving both sides and looking at any related issues

Give details about something, and the reasons behind it.

6. Explain

Give reasons and evidence supporting a point of view.

7. Justify

Other process words

Distinguish / Differentiate between - look for differences between

Assess - determine the value of, weigh up - see also Evaluate

Illustrate - make clear and explicit, and give carefully chosen examples

How far / to what extent - look at evidence / arguments for and against and weigh them up in terms of their value

Describe - give a detailed account of

Summarise - give a clear, short description, explanation or account, presenting the most important factors and omitting minor details and examples

Analyse - resolve into its component parts, examine critically or minutely

Give an account of / account for - explain the reasons for / clarify / give reasons for

Summary / Recap

• Written assignments fall into a number of different categories

• Different types of assignments have different structures

• The first step in writing a successful assignment is understanding what you have to write – check the meanings of question words in assignment titles

• If in doubt, ask for help!

Thank you for watching