Steps for writing assignments
Follow this step-by-step guide to assignment writing to help you to manage your time and produce a better assignment.
This is a general guide. It's primarily for research essays, but can be used for all assignments. The specific requirements for your course may be different. Make sure you read through any assignment requirements carefully and ask your lecturer or tutor if you're unsure how to meet them.
1. Analysing the topic
Before you start researching or writing, take some time to analyse the assignment topic to make sure you know what you need to do.
Understand what you need to do
Read through the topic a few times to make sure you understand it. Think about the:
- learning objectives listed in the course profile – understand what you should be able to do after completing the course and its assessment tasks
- criteria you'll be marked on – find out what you need to do to achieve the grade you want
- questions you need to answer – try to explain the topic in your own words.
Identify keywords
Identify keywords in the topic that will help guide your research, including any:
- task words – what you have to do (usually verbs)
- topic words – ideas, concepts or issues you need to discuss (often nouns)
- limiting words – restrict the focus of the topic (e.g. to a place, population or time period).
If you're writing your own topic, include task words, topic words and limiting words to help you to focus on exactly what you have to do.
Example
Example keyword identification - text version
Topic: Evaluate the usefulness of a task analysis approach to assignment writing, especially with regard to the writing skill development of second language learners in the early stages of university study in the Australian university context.
Task words: Evaluate
Topic words: task analysis approach, assignment writing, writing skill development
Limiting words: second language learners (population), early stages of university (time period), Australian university (place)
Brainstorm your ideas
Brainstorm information about the topic that you:
- already know
- will need to research to write the assignment.
When you brainstorm:
- use 'Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?' questions to get you thinking
- write down all your ideas – don't censor yourself or worry about the order
- try making a concept map to capture your ideas – start with the topic in the centre and record your ideas branching out from it.
Learning Advisers
Our advisers can help undergraduate and postgraduate students in all programs clarify ideas from workshops, help you develop skills and give feedback on assignments.