Tackling Assignments Moya Seaman Content adapted from “Preparing Assignments” The Open University

Type of Assignment? Essay Case Study Report (Welsh Bacc) Other?

Your college assignment Where to start... Your college assignment Your strategy Knowledge needed Organise what to do Drafting Checking Handing it in Getting it back Next assignment!

Understanding the question Every question has key words: these will help you work out what the assignment is all about Content words tell you about the topic Process words tell you what you must do with the content

Content words What’s it all about? Using examples from the case studies of Jean and Emily in Chapter 5, show how the local environment, including housing, can influence health and well being

Process words Now that you know what it is about, what do you have to do Using examples from the case studies of Jean and Emily in Chapter 5, show how the local environment, including housing, can influence health and well being

Process words Compare Contrast Criticise/Evaluate Define Discuss Explain Justify

Introductions 5-10% of word count Try to keep to one paragraph (you may use more if it’s a long assignment) Identify the main question or issue Introduce any key words or terms Highlight the main points you’ll be looking at Finish the introduction with a sentence that links into the main body

Conclusions It shouldn’t be longer than the introduction This should show that you have answered the question set in the assignment Make reference to the content and process word in the title Summarise the main points you’ve talked about You may want to suggest what should happen in the future? Avoid adding new ideas or arguments into the conclusion

Moodle and the Learning Centre Sarah Davies: Learning Centre Manager Writing Support Flexipack: flexipack (password)