Becoming an academic writer 10 steps to assignment success

Step One Prepare to research Open a research folder – old envelope, file, smart new briefcase… This is where you can keep lecture, seminar & reading notes Tip: write your sources on the outside of the file

What is being asked? Know the format: Essay Report Presentation Seminar? If in doubt – ask your tutor Write out the whole question Underline all the key words. Look at the asking words – describe, analyse, evaluate, discuss Any other key words? Like “using examples” or “illustrate with…”

Then: Analyse the question – all of it Have the overview – and fit the task to the learning outcomes these will be in the module booklet or available from module line via the university web site Be creative – use creative brainstorming and notemaking strategies Don’t know how? Go to a Learning Development Unit workshop and find out http://learning.north.londonmet.ac.uk/bssmquickstart/mindlab.htm

Action Plan Why? Where? When? What? Tip: research one word from the question at a time Where? When? What?

Step Two Follow the action plan –undertake targeted research and active reading Make pattern notes Write on one side of the paper only Build paragraph patterns Put notes in folder – write bibliography on the outside

Tip: index cards Index cards are useful – and will save time writing up a bibliography at the end Author Date Title Publisher Place of publication A few key points

Step Three – stop! Stop reading Review your findings Re–read the question What gaps are there is your research?

Step Four Plan the outline of essay, report, presentation, whatever……. Use a study skills book to give you some ideas or collect a hand out from the Learning Development Unit Or self register on webCT for ‘All about studying’ or ‘All about writing’ for additional help See the IT helpdesk if you need assistance to create a webCT account

Step Five Prepare the first draft…. A rough draft has gaps and mistakes Leave gaps – do not search for the right word – do not check spelling, tenses, (not this time)

Step Six Leave a time lag: the brain will work to close the gaps… How about a night out? Your action plan should leave you some time to enjoy yourself…..

Step Seven Review Revise Edit Struggle to write! Settle on a final draft

Step Eight Get a friend, colleague, Proof read to read over Look for one type of mistake at a time Get a friend, colleague, to read over your work, or read it from back to front, bottom to top to spot errors Think SPAG Spelling Punctuation And Grammar

Step Nine Finished! Take a copy AND keep a copy Hand work in or before the deadline Check you have correctly completed the coursework documentation (module code, tutors name) Leave time to queue at the assessment unit and get a receipt

Step TEN and most important! Review your progress – see article “your grades and what they mean” from Debbie Holley's homepage SWOT – then see a learning development tutor! Tutor feedback – read it, review it, plan what you will do with it! Ask if you can swap and read other peoples work