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.
2. Researching and note-taking
Planning your research will help you find relevant information and keep your notes organised.
Develop research questions
Take the ideas you brainstormed about the topic, and think of questions that will help you to respond to the topic. Come up with questions that will:
- check the accuracy of your ideas
- lead you to statistical data or evidence
- explore relationships between different aspects of the topic.
Try using 'Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?' questions to help.
As your ideas develop and you start to research, refine your research questions to make sure they're focused and effective. Aim for about 5 to 10 questions, depending on the topic and word limit.
Find information
Search for information that will help you answer your research questions. Remember that you nearly always need to cite peer-reviewed academic articles and books in your assignments.
Read, analyse and take notes
Use your research questions to evaluate information and organise your notes as you read.
- Set out each research question as a heading or separate document.
- Read each text with your research questions in mind.
- Apply critical reading and analysis skills to evaluate the information.
- Record relevant information under each research question.
- Include citation details (e.g. author name, year, page number) in your notes to ensure your research is referenced correctly.
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.