How To Prepare Your Assignment?

(Allowed but not encouraged) Essentials for Study Journal Articles, Books Lecture Slides Case Studies Internet Sources (Allowed but not encouraged)

Essay-Style Answer An essay is an argument with an introduction stating the problem, a middle part developing the argument and a conclusion which summarises the argument made. Essay-Style answer has no title but the question.

ANSWER THE QUESTION Identify the requirements of the question Identify what the question wants by breaking it down into parts Use your analysis to give you focus – will help you avoid large chunks of irrelevant material The wording of the question is deliberate All aspects of the question are important Include the question at the beginning of the essay DO NOT: write a general essay about the subject of the question

ANSWER THE QUESTION Search out relevant materials. Lecture and seminar notes are the starting point: Your reading list gives guidance Find your own references (Summon: http://libguides.hull.ac.uk/summon) Read and make notes Make an initial plan First draft Read through and edit

STRUCTURE YOUR ANSWER Conventionally, this involves: An introduction The main body of the essay Conclusion References and any other end matter, such as appendices

THE INTRODUCTION Follows on from the analysis of the question Explain the problem as you see it – e.g. key issues to be covered Explain how you intend to tackle the problem The introduction should be concise - do not pack the introduction with background material When your essay is finished, read it through and check that the essay does what the introduction says it will do. If not, amend accordingly.

MAIN BODY Contains the bulk of your answer to the question Provide evidence for your answer not assertions All material points should be argued rather than asserted (e.g. “Everyone knows that …”). Simply putting down everything one knows about a certain subject will lose marks. It is here that you develop your argument via: A series of logically connected paragraphs which address ALL aspects of the question Can be divided into sections – but not too many Usually several ways to structure the essay BUT the reader should be able to detect the flow of your argument

CONCLUSION Usually, there is no new information in a conclusion The conclusion should summarise and bring together your main points. This should enable you to come down on one side of the question or another. Does not matter which argument you favour providing you support your answer with evidence

What are we looking for? Note the instructions: Word limit – penalties for exceeding (10% tolerance) Conciseness and relevance Clarity of layout, structure 1.5 line spacing, 12 font Completeness References

The Task Answer one question from Part A (to be handed in by 9 April) Answer one question from Part B (to be handed in by 14 May) Specifically designed so that you cover the whole of the programme

Part A – 2,000 words; 50% marks 1. What are some of the costs associated with globalisation? (30%) How can business leaders make sure that the benefits of their various actions outweigh their costs? (70%)  Explain with relevant examples. 2. Why have the WTO negotiations collapsed? Illustrate your points with relevant examples. 3. Some trade unions in the EU fear that the free movement of people depresses wages of ordinary workers because immigrants from other European countries are willing to work for lower wages. Should the free movement of people within the EU be restricted? Illustrate your points with relevant examples.  

Part B – 2,000 words; 50% marks 1. In relation to one of the ‘emerging markets’, what are the main considerations for a foreign investor when investing in that market? Choose an individual sector on which to base your arguments. 2. In this age of globalisation, some gurus argue that all industries are becoming global and that all firms need to adopt a global standards strategy. Do you agree? Why or why not? Illustrate your points with relevant examples.   3. After the 2008-09 crisis, has your country’s government had more intervention in trade policy? Why?

REFERENCES Best to reference as you go along Preferred system – Harvard referencing Study Skills Handbook If you are using a direct quote rather than paraphrasing/summarising, then also use quotation marks “ “ to indicate the direct quote

Use of quotations Use sparingly, i.e. Keep them short Only use them when they absolutely sum up the point you wish to make Make sure they are properly referenced Use them to help you make YOUR points DO NOT OVERUSE THEM – I have seen essays that are essentially a series of joined up quotations – they do not get good marks. Indeed they often fail Ideally quotes should be kept to a minimum.

Plagiarism Plagiarism is passing someone’s work off as your own/failure to acknowledge the work of another. Direct copying Hard copy materials The internet The work of classmates – collusion Self-plagiarism Indirect copying/paraphrasing the work of another without attribution

If you are not sure about referencing Consult your Study Skills Handbook If you are still unsure, ask your tutor DO NOT ASSUME, YOU WILL NOT BE CAUGHT IF YOU PLAGIARISE

Canvas-Assignments-Playpen Use it to ensure you have not plagiarised We will use it to check I will take cases forward

‘Dos and Don’ts’ Analyse what the question is really about As much reading as possible i.e. not just from the core text or a few sources. Start well ahead of the deadline Plan before you start writing Answer the question Keep the question in front of you. Checking frequently that you are not straying from the objective of the answer; refer back to the question to confirm (or otherwise) that you are still on course. Do not put in lots of background material which contribute to the word count but which is really padding Personal experience is not really relevant to the answer in the social science — we tend to look at generalities and are only convinced by what tends to happen in general.

‘Dos and Don’ts’ The answer should be written in an impersonal style, i.e. no use of phrases such as “I think…” or “In my opinion…” Slang and abbreviations should not be used. That’s, can’t, don’t The general tone should be serious and formal rather than “chatty”. Be as simple and direct as the subject allows. Diagrams may be included but they must be explained in the text and properly labelled. The answer is a continuous piece of writing — there should be no subheadings or “Chapters”.

‘Dos and Don’ts’ Read through your essay before you hand it in Ideally, leave a gap between finishing your essay and your final read through Your module handbook gives an idea of the general characteristics we are looking for in an essay and the benchmarks for each grade

Good Luck !