This general guide is primarily designed for research essays but can be adapted for other assignments. Ensure that you read through the specific requirements for your course and seek clarification from your lecturer or tutor if needed.
1. Analysing the Topic
Before researching or writing, take time to analyze the assignment topic to ensure you understand what is required.
Understand What You Need to Do
- Read the topic multiple times to grasp its meaning fully.
- Consider the learning objectives outlined in the course profile—these indicate the skills and knowledge you should demonstrate.
- Review the assessment criteria to understand how your work will be graded.
- Identify the questions the assignment asks and try to rephrase them in your own words.
Identify Keywords
Pinpointing key terms in your assignment topic will help direct your research. These include:
- Task words: verbs that describe what you need to do (e.g., analyze, compare, evaluate).
- Topic words: concepts, ideas, or issues that need discussion (usually nouns).
- Limiting words: terms that narrow the focus of your research (e.g., specifying a time period, location, or population).
If you’re creating your own topic, include task, topic, and limiting words to ensure clarity and focus.
Example
Consider an assignment topic: “Evaluate the impact of social media on consumer behavior in the 21st century.”
- Task word: Evaluate
- Topic words: Social media, consumer behavior
- Limiting words: 21st century
Brainstorming Your Ideas
Before researching, take note of what you already know and identify gaps that require further investigation.
Tips for Effective Brainstorming
- Ask yourself Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? to explore different aspects of the topic.
- Write down all ideas freely without worrying about structure or order.
- Consider making a concept map by placing the main topic in the center and branching out with subtopics and related ideas.
By following this structured approach, you will manage your time efficiently and produce a well-developed assignment.
2. Researching and Note-Taking
Planning your research is essential for gathering relevant information and keeping your notes well organized.
Develop research questions:
- Begin by brainstorming ideas about your topic and then formulate questions that will guide your investigation.
- Create questions that will:
- Verify the accuracy of your initial ideas
- Lead you to statistical data or supporting evidence
- Explore relationships between various aspects of the topic
- Consider using the questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?
- As your research progresses, refine your questions to ensure they remain focused and effective. Aim to develop between 5 and 10 questions, depending on your topic and the assignment’s word limit.
Find Information:
- Search for resources that help answer your research questions, remembering that most assignments require the citation of peer-reviewed academic articles and books.
- For guidance on finding and evaluating information, consult the university library.
- If you’re having trouble locating relevant material, refer to the university library’s advice on effective search techniques.
Read, analyze, and take notes:
- Use your research questions as a framework for evaluating and organizing your notes.
- Create a separate document or designate headings for each research question.
- Read each source with your questions in mind, applying critical reading and analysis skills.
- Record pertinent information under each question, ensuring to include all necessary citation details (e.g., author name, year, page number) so that you can accurately reference your sources later.
For referencing style and plagiarism correction, please read.
3. Planning Your Assignment
Before you begin writing, use your research questions and notes to design a clear outline that structures your main arguments. Planning ahead will help you think more clearly about your topic, organize your argument effectively, develop your academic voice, and write more efficiently.
Suggestions for Planning:
- Outline Key Points:
List the major points you intend to make before gathering supporting quotes or evidence. This helps maintain a coherent argument throughout your paper. - Decide on Main Arguments:
Determine the core arguments for the body of your assignment prior to planning the introduction and conclusion. - Create an Outline or Concept Map:
Use an outline or a visual concept map to represent your ideas and how they connect. - Link Ideas Together:
Review your plan to identify recurring concepts or themes that can serve as bridges between paragraphs.
Structuring Your Assignment:
Different assignments require different structures. Always review your assignment requirements to choose the most appropriate format. For research essays, a common structure includes:
Introduction
- Background/Context: Provide a general orientation to the topic.
- Overview: Briefly outline what the essay will and will not cover.
- Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main idea or argument of your paper.
Example:
An introduction might set the scene by discussing the context and significance of the research, followed by a concise thesis statement that guides the discussion.
Body
- Develop Your Argument: Each paragraph should focus on a specific point that supports your thesis.
- Evidence and Analysis: Back up each point with cited evidence and your own critical analysis.
- Cohesion: Use transitions to link ideas, sentences, and paragraphs, ensuring a smooth, unified argument.
Example:
A body paragraph should clearly present one idea, support it with data or literature, and connect logically to the overall argument.
Conclusion
- Restate your thesis: summarize your central argument.
- Summarize Key Points: Highlight the most important findings from your discussion.
- Final Thoughts: End with a comment, resolution, or suggestion for future research, avoiding the introduction of new information.
Example:
A conclusion might summarize how the evidence supports your thesis, note the significance of your findings, and propose directions for further study.
By carefully planning and structuring your assignment, you ensure that your ideas are presented clearly and persuasively, making it easier for your reader to follow your argument.
4. Writing Your Assignment
Use your assignment plan as a roadmap to keep your writing focused and organized.
Follow Your Plan:
Refer to your outline or concept map as you write. It’s normal for new ideas or perspectives to emerge during the writing process; when this happens, review your plan to see how these ideas can be integrated with your existing points.
Plan Each Paragraph:
Before writing each paragraph, decide on its main idea—the point you want to make, not just a fact from your research. Each paragraph should include:
- Topic sentence: Introduce the main point of the paragraph.
- Supporting sentences: Provide evidence from research along with your commentary, discussing the relevance, strengths, and weaknesses of the ideas presented by the authors you’ve read.
- Concluding sentence: summarize the paragraph’s point and connect it back to your thesis.
Consider different approaches to discussing your ideas, such as:
- Listing several ideas
- Comparing and contrasting different authors’ viewpoints
- Describe problems and potential solutions
- Explaining cause-and-effect relationships
Link Your Ideas:
Ensure your writing flows smoothly by connecting ideas between sentences, paragraphs, and sections. Use appropriate linking words to clarify the relationships between ideas. For example:
- For listing ideas: “similarly,” “additionally,” “next,” “furthermore,” “firstly, secondly, thirdly,” “finally.”
- For cause and effect: “consequently,” “as a result,” “therefore,” “results indicated.”
- For comparison and contrast: “on the other hand,” “by contrast,” “conversely,” “alternatively.”
- For problem and solution: “problems were overcome by,” “other concerns were addressed by.”
By carefully planning and linking your ideas, you create a cohesive argument that effectively supports your thesis.
5. Editing Your Assignment
Be sure to set aside ample time to edit and proofread your work before submission. Thorough editing can significantly improve your marks. Consider the following guidelines:
- Take a Break:
Allow at least half a day away from your assignment so you can review it with fresh eyes. - Allocate Time for Proofreading:
Plan for roughly one hour of editing and proofreading per 1,000–2,000 words. - Read Aloud:
Reading your work aloud can help you identify issues with flow, coherence, and the overall strength of your argument. You might also read it to someone else to receive feedback or have them ask clarifying questions. - Check Style, Formatting, and Grammar:
Ensure that your assignment adheres to your course’s or faculty’s requirements, including font size, spacing, headings, and referencing. - Editing Tips:
- Use a spellchecker to catch grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, but review suggested changes carefully.
- Vary your sentence length to maintain a dynamic writing style.
- Employ active voice and strong, precise verbs.
- Choose clear, accurate language and avoid overly complex words when simpler ones suffice.
- Be concise—remove any unnecessary words without sacrificing meaning or flow.
For additional guidance on referencing, consult the referencing style guides