Becoming an academic writer

10 steps to assignment success

Step OnePrepare to research Open a research

folder – old envelope, file, smart new briefcase…

Read notes on “preparing to study” from Debbie Holley's homepage

http://homepages.unl.ac.uk/~holleyd

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 workshops and find out http:learning.unl.ac.uk/ldu

Action Plan

Why?

Where?

When?

Tip: research one word from the question at a time

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 cardsIndex 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 the online Writing and Communication workshop 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

Proof readLook for one type of

mistake at a time

Think SPAGSpelling

PunctuationAnd

Grammar

Get a friend, colleague,

to read over your work, or read it

from back to front, bottom to top to spot errors

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