Writing an essay/assignment

Main Contents Page

Before you start

STEP 1: STARTING out

STEP 2: FINDING

STEP 3: EVALUATE

STEP 4: Legal and ethical USE

STEP 5: COMMUNICATE

- Writing an essay/assignment

Consulting sources

Reading and making notes

Preparing the bibliography

In-text referencing

Compiling the bibliography

Writing the first draft

Revising the assignment

Writing final draft

Collating the assignment

Checking the final draft

Example

- Tips for presentations

- Tips for posters

- Tips for brochures

- Tips for displays

- E-communication guidelines

- Writing styles

- Quiz

Checking the final draft

Checklist for a completed assignment:

  Title page  
  • Name, student number
  • Course, subject
  • Due date, lecturer's name
  • Title of assignment
  • Did you check the requirements for the title page with the particular lecturer?
 
  Table of contents  
  • Numbered correctly?
  • Page references in line?
  • Correlation with the rest of the text?
 
  Text  
  • Headings consistent in size and style?
  • Headings and subheadings numbered correctly?
  • Body of text - the same style and size throughout the document?
  • Pages numbered?
  • Any blank spaces in the text?
  • Any headings at the bottom of the page and the supporting text at the top of the next page?
  • Any headings without supporting text?
  • Any headings/subheadings that should be merged?
  • Any sections that should be subdivided?
  • Printing clear and legible?
 
  Introduction and Conclusion  
  • Consistent with the text?
  • Your own?
 
  Illustrations/
diagrams/appendices
 
  • Original illustrations/diagrams?
  • Acknowledged correctly when from another source?
  • Any unnecessary illustrations?
  • Captions to illustrations?
  • Illustrations on the correct page and in the correct position?
  • Illustrations listed separately following the Table of Contents?
 
  Citations  
  • All quotations in inverted commas?
  • All information that is not your own acknowledged?
  • Format of citation correct?
 
  Language  
  • Spell-check facility used?
  • Writing Centre consulted?
 
  Bibliography  
  • Alphabetical?
  • Format of each entry correct?
 
Stapled/bound
  • Requirements of particular lecturer checked?