1. Becoming an academic writer
10 steps to assignment success

2. 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

3. 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…”

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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…..

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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