Learning Outcomes 1. Present your written assignment effectively; 2. Apply citation style based on the American Psychological Association (APA format; and 3. Practise effective techniques for oral presentation.

Steps in Writing an Assignment 1. Select a topic 2. Analyse the topic 3. Search for information 4. Evaluate and select 5. Take notes from resources 6. Plan an outline 7. Organise and consolidate 8. Write the paper 9. Review assignment 10. Present before deadline

Common Faults Found in Assignment 1. Unfocused treatment 2. Shallow treatment of topic/subject 3. Badly organised content (poor presentation) 4. Lack of fluency and flow 5. Poor introduction 6. Poor conclusion 7. Boring presentation 8. Irrelevant information

a) Introduction  Scope of the paper  Setting the scene or clarify what the main issue is  How you intend to approach it

b) Body of Content  Contain your ideas, opinions and facts  Explained and argued out systematically and logically  With each idea or issue or argument flowing smoothly from one to another

c) Conclusion  A good conclusion should provide the read with a sense of completion or closure  Your conclusion should tally with the introduction and the body of content

d) Accompanying Information  List of References list of materials referred to and used in the text reflect the scope and depth of your reading  Footnotes or Notes notes at the bottom of the page that contain the relevant information can be in the form of a citation or explanation of information

e) Quotations & Paraphrasing  Quotation ideas and opinions of other people being reproduced verbatim  Paraphrasing ideas and opinions of other people rewritten using own words

f) Citation Style  Documenting all the sources used in a paper  Types of resources/references are: books Journals Specific topics in a book Websites Other types of materials (newspaper articles, audio-video materials, etc.)

The Final Draft 1. Is the assignment focused? 2. Did I plan and prepare well? 3. Does the content show understanding of relevant issues related to the topic? 4. Does the writing show evidence of wide reading and research on the topic? 5. Is there a logical development of issues from one paragraph to another? 6. Are the arguments convincing and supported by evidence? 7. Is the analysis clear and logical? 8. Is the language simple and precise? 9. Does the conclusion answer questions raised in the body of content?

Assignment Format 1. Use A4 size white paper. Do not mix sizes. 2. Leave a right margin of 3cm. 3. Title Page on the first page with complete personal details. 4. Put name and matric number in all pages. 5. Use font size 12 points. 6. Font type Times New Roman is the font generally used. 7. Number all pages. 8. Correct pages for all diagrams and illustrations. 9. Bind or staple the assignment.

Writing Essays under Examination Conditions 1. Apply same steps as writing an assignment. 2. Choose questions on topics that you are confident of answering. 3. Spend few minutes jotting down ideas 4. Quickly organise them systematically.

Oral Presentation 1. Audience and purpose of presentation You would need to know the audience because it affects: ○ The equipment you use ○ The level of preparation you need to make ○ The type of attire you need to wear ○ The language you use (formal or informal) ○ The setting of the room

Oral Presentation 2. Planning and preparation Understand the breadth and depth of th topic Understand the audience Be comfortable with the environment Decide on the type of presentation Check whether appropriate equipment is available Check whether the materials to be used are available Duration of presentation Start preparations early Check on availability of equipment Test the equipment Decide on suitable attire Test the presentation Be creative Keep text to minimum

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