Writing Your Assignment - Curtin Universitystudyskills.curtin.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/... · • 7 steps of how to write an assignment • An essay – what is it and how to

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Writing Your Assignment

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Outcomes

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Before starting, know your assignment brief for essays and reports• Brainstorming – what is it, why do it, and how to do it• 7 steps of how to write an assignment• An essay – what is it and how to write one• Essays and Reports – the differences in structure and your approach to write• A report – recognise how sub-sections make it different to writing an essay• Thesis statement• Planning• Academic style• Format• Where to get help

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Find workshop slides; workshop hand outs; and more online programs and resources here:www.studyskills.curtin.edu.au

www.studyskills.curtin.edu.au/study-resources/workshop-handouts

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Outcomes

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Before starting, know your assignment brief for essays and reports• Brainstorming – what is it, why do it, and how to do it• 7 steps of how to write an assignment• An essay – what is it and how to write one• Essays and Reports – the differences in structure and your approach to write

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Working on your assignment from Go to Whoa!

Get the most out of this session by having your next assignment at hand.Consider the following from your assignment instructions:• Is it an essay, a report, or other?• What is the topic of your assignment?• What are you being asked to write about this topic?• What is the word count?• How many references are required?• What referencing style is required?Go through your marking rubric to begin to reduce the uncertainty of what’s required for your assignment task.

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Brainstorm Before, During & End• Take a large sheet of paper• Write your topic and circle it in the middle of your page• Set aside 2 minutes• Prepare your mind to focus on the topic (and if you can also

your stance/argument about this topic)• Write down everything that comes to mind about this topic.

Go a little past 2 minutes (no more than 5 minutes) if you find the ideas are just flowing.

• Watch this short video that takes you through the steps in 10 top tips for BRAINSTORMING: http://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/study-resources/top-tips/brainstorming/

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The 7 steps for writing a successful paper

1. Analyse the question

2. Brainstorm. Write a provisional thesis

statement.

3. Make a plan

4. Research and select appropriate resources

5. Read, make notes and take referencing

details.

6. Write paragraphs (middle ones before

Introduction and Conclusion) and revise

7. Edit and proof-read to produce a final draft.

Remember, your written product should expand, explain and provide evidence for your thesis statement;

your writing should be focussed and answer the question.

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What is an essay?

An essay is an extended piece of writing that presents an argument or arguments for a particular position on a topic.

The position is outlined in the thesis statement, found in the introduction of the text, and must be supported by current theory and research, and by logic.

http://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/essays/introduction/what-is-an-essay/

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There are different types of essays

There are many different types of essays:• argumentative,• descriptive,• analytical,• exploratory,• review, and so on.

The assessment question and task instructions determine the type of essay you will write.

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Essays are different from Reports

Essays• Present arguments

• Need to be read in their entirety• there are usually no headings and sub-

headings

• Contain longer, connected paragraphs

• Rarely make recommendations

Reports• Present information

• often in tabular or graphical form

• Can be scanned quickly and out of order• headings and sub-headings make this possible

• Contain short, concise paragraphs and in some cases dot points

• May make recommendations

How?http://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/better-writing/report-writing/introduction/

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Essay Structure

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The content of an essay depends on the type of essay that is to be written, but all essays have the following structure:

http://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/essays/introduction/essay-model/

• contains the thesis statementIntroduction• the content• presents the arguments for the thesis statement in detail and with

supportBody

• paraphrases the thesis statement• summarises the research that supports it Conclusion

• the end-text references must match the in-text referencesReferences

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Essay Structure/Model

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The 7 steps for writing a successful essay

1. Analyse the

question

2. Brainstorm.

Write a provisional

thesis statement.

3. Make a plan

4. Research and select

appropriate resources

5. Read, make notes

and take referencing

details.

6. Write and revise.

7. Edit and proof-read

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Reports V Essayshttp://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/better-writing

http://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/better-writing/report-writinghttp://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/essays

Reports Essays

• Present informationoften in tabular or graphical form

• Present arguments

• Can be scanned quickly and out of order

headings and sub-headings make this possible

• Need to be read in entirety

• Contain short, concise paragraphs and in some cases dot points

• Contain longer, connected paragraphs

• May make recommendations • Rarely make recommendations

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Writing your reportSteps for writing a successful report:

1. Understand the task instructions2. Brainstorm the task

• use it to write a draft outline of the report• use it to focus your research

3. Required sub-sections4. Research and select information and data for sub-sections5. Organise, evaluate and analyse the information6. Write a first draft7. Use a checklist to review your draft

http://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/better-writing/report-writing/checklist/

8. Edit and proof read until you are ready to submit

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Writing your report

1. Understand

the task

2. Brainstorm

and plan

3. Research and gather information

4. Organise, analyse and

evaluate the

information

5. Write a first draft.

Make conclusions

and recommend

ations

6. Use a checklist

such as the marking rubric to

revise your draft

7. Edit, proofread

and submit.

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Brainstorming. Pre-reading. Writing a Provisional Thesis Statement.

Find out what you know about the topic already:• review the lecture notes• review the reading you have already done and the notes you have already

taken• brainstorm to produce a concept map (Remember a concept map includes

the relationships between different information and concepts.)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZJj6DwCqSU• do some initial pre-reading on the topic

Can you answer the essay question you have been asked in one sentence? This should become your provisional thesis statement.A provisional thesis statement will help you write an outline, plan or map for your essay and should help direct your research and selection of appropriate resources.

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Brainstorming

Brainstorm your own (or the following) topic and/or thesis statement, then use it to produce a concept map.

Identify what makes a successful essay.

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Pre-readingWhat pre-reading can you do to prepare to begin your assessment task?• The lecture notes• The required and recommended reading for the unit• The textbook• Another textbookPeer reviewed journal articles (often the preferred or required type of resource for an assessment task) can be difficult to read. Begin by reading materials that are easier to understand. A basic understanding of the topic will enable you to comprehend more difficult types of texts such as some peer reviewed journal articles.

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Writing a Provisional Thesis Statement

A successful essay has three key elements: A, B, and C.

A successful essay has three key elements: a strong thesis statement, logical organisation, and clear writing.

A successful essay has three key elements: focus, organisation, and clarity.

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A successful essay has three key elements: A, B, and C.

A successful essay has three key elements: a strong thesis statement, logical organisation, and clear writing.

A successful essay has three key elements: focus, organisation, and clarity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sx42_C10zw

Topic Claim or controlling idea: your attitude, opinion orposition on the topic.

Specific points that will be made in the body of the essay. Mayalso indicate the organisation of the information in the body.

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The PlanA comprehensive essay outline, plan or map will contain the following information:

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• thesis statement• approximately 10% of the total word countIntroduction• the content• the number of paragraphs • the single idea to be developed in each paragraph• approximate word count per paragraph

Body

•paraphrases the thesis statement•summarises the research that supports it•approximately 10% for the total word count

Conclusion

•the end-text references must match the in-text referencesReferences

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A plan, an outline, an essay map with topic sentences

Thes

is St

atem

ent

Topic sentence

Topic sentence

Topic sentence

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Introduction Body Conclusion

?

Restate the thesis statement.

Summarise the main points (topic sentences).

General statement.

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Academic Style Academic style:

• is clear and concise- position has meaning (in most instances, place your subject up front)- avoid any unnecessary words, make every one count

• uses active voice when possible

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CNGBqXQGb7c• is objective

- avoid personal pronouns

• uses full sentences with correct grammar and spelling

• is organised into paragraphs- each develop a single idea- presented in a logical sequence

• contains accurate referencing

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Formatting

• Separate title page

• Separate References page

• Headings and sub-headings if required

• Guideline font, spacing and margins

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Review

Read your task instructions carefully. Ask questions of your tutor, lecturer, or unit coordinator to clarify any instructions that are not clear to you. Ask at the Library HELPhttps://answers.library.curtin.edu.au/q.php

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