1. Planning Your Assignment
This workshop will...
Identify what ‘planning’ means when tackling an assignment and its impact on marks
Examine the planning process, where a plan fits and when to do it
Offer some practical strategies and examples for the planning stage of writing.
Louise Livesey
Academic Skills Adviser
16/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

2. Academic Skills Advice
The Plan…
The difference between planning an assignment and an assignment plan
The benefits of an assignment plan on your marks
Tips to help with the planning process
16/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

3. Activity 1: Assignment planning and developing a plan
1. Difference between Planning
and A Plan
TALKING POINT
Let’s plan for a holiday
Activity 1: Assignment planning and developing a plan
With a neighbour or in a small group, discuss your planning for a successful assignment. Jot down the planning process in the space below. Create a plan from one of the tasks you have just listed. Discuss your planning and plan with the broader group.
Click for tp
Click for activity
16/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

4. Academic Skills Advice
1. Difference between Planning
and A Plan
The Planning Process
16/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

5. Academic Skills Advice
1. Difference between Planning
and A Plan
Definitions
Planning is a process involving many stages which include the development of an assignment plan. Writing is a part of the process too. Every student has their own way of planning; even if they say they don’t, they do.
An assignment plan is a stage in the planning process. It is a conscious ordering of your research material and notes into a coherent structure so your marker can follow your argument.
16/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

6. Activity 3: What markers think is important
2. Benefits of Planning
and a Plan
Activity 3: What markers think is important
1Answering the question – analysing the question to break down exactly what is required of you will mean you provide the answers the markers are looking for (Stage 1 of the process)
2Understanding of the subject – identifying gaps in your notes and filling those gaps with research followed by organising all your notes will help you identify the key points in the subject (Stages 2-5 of the process)
3Clear point of view or ‘argument’ – when you know what is being asked of you, you can make a decision on your stance, whatever it may be. This will then be developed into your map or plan (Stages 1 and 6)
4Relevant information – This links to ‘understanding of the subject’ as you need to match the key points with relevant evidence (Stage 5)
5Clear structure and organisation – It does exactly what it says on the tin (Stage 6)
16/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

7. Academic Skills Advice
3. Tips and Hints For
Planning Your Assignment
Plan your time
Beware of too much planning
Work when you work best
Develop your argument as early as possible
16/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

8. Academic Skills Advice
References
Clanchy, J., and Ballard, B. (1992) How to Write Essays. Melbourne: Longman Cheshire Pty Ltd.
Cottrell, S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook. 4th Ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Greasley,P. (2011) Doing Essays and Assignments. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
Norton, L.S. (1990) Essay-writing: what really counts? Higher Education, vol. 20, pp
Redman, P. (2006) Good Essay Writing. 3rd Ed. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
All visuals are from Clip Art
16/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

9. Academic Skills Advice Service
Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a call or come speak to us Monday- Friday 9am-5pm (closing at 4pm Fridays).
Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser.
Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice sessions every weekday and Writing Skills Clinics three times a week. You can also access self-help resources on our webpage.
Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointment.
How do I get in touch? Telephone:
16/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

10. Academic Skills Advice
Any questions?
16/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice