Analysing Assignment Q + Assignment Planning

Higher Education Language & Presentation Support

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HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) •Location: CB01.03.08 •Telephone: 9514 9733 •Email: helps@uts.edu.au •Website: ssu.uts.edu.au/helps

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Workshop program

• How to easily understand assignment questions • How to be strategic with planning assignments • How to get started earlier and with less stress

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Understanding Assignment Questions

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Analysing Assignment Questions

• Start as early as you can. • The earlier you start – the sooner you’ll finish,

also have more flexibility & more time to work on the next assignment.

• Start –unpacking, reading for & planning assignments as soon as you can!

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Remember to analyse & unpack the set question first.

By fully analysing the question you will be sure to…… • Give relevant info in your writing • Give good supporting arguments • Provide relevant references and examples • ANSWER THE QUESTION that has been set!

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Ways to analyse (unpack) the question.

1. Pick the title to bits

2. Underline the direction terms ‘i.e.. the main verbs’

3. Look at the noun groups / limiting words

4. Identify how many sections or parts are to the question

5. Break it down into a ‘simplified version’ e.g. evaluate/ key concepts/ event management/ justify/ answers

Write all of this down on an A4 piece of paper and keep close-by!

Planning –Unpacking Question

1. Unpack the question

2. Identify the separate elements/parts

3. Brainstorm relevant ideas

4. Tie in your theory & research in support of your arguments

Useful Videos

• HELPS Website • Self help resources /online videos/ • Analysing an assignment question

• Also check the UTS library’s guide

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Next..you need a plan!

• Q: Why is planning BEFORE you write so vitally important?

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To help you plan

• To help you plan, we need to look at the structure

of writing.

• Keep the structure simple – but the content sophisticated & appropriate.

• Let’s look at the structure of an essay paragraph.

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Effective paragraph structure

If your paragraphs are well structured:

• Your arguments will be well presented. • Your arguments will be effectively structured. • Your writing will be logical. • Your writing will be clearer. • It will make your writing easier to read.

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Example Paragraph writing “A common definition of Event Management is the application of

project management skills aiding in the creation and development of festivals, events, conferences and such like. It involves such concepts as studying the complexities of the brand, identifying its target audience, devising the event concept, planning the logistics as well as coordinating the technical aspects of the proposed event. The recent growth of popular festivals and events has led a significant surge in the event management industry (Jones, 2009) and as a result can have a large and ongoing impact on their associated communities. The event management industry encompasses all sizes of events from the Olympic Games down to a small breakfast meeting for a group of business executives. Therefore, as it can be seen, the event management industry has an important part to play in the popular branding of companies, products, countries and even individuals.”

It can be argued that the 21st Century has seen an enormous rise in

the cultural awareness, perception and branding of products, corporations and personalities.........

* Adapted from Griffith, 2010

Exercise UTS:HELPS 14

Assignment Structure

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Bare Bones / Skeleton

• How is an assignment structured?

• What elements is it made up from?

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Here you have the basics of essay structure

* Works as a great planning tool also! Source

© Wells 2007

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19 * Works as a great planning tool also!

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Summarises your arguments and brings everything together

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Now you have the basics of essay structure

23 * Benefits of planning within a structure –you can see at a glance on A4 paper your whole assignment

Workflow

1. Analyse assignment questions fully & early on 2. Break down the assignment question 3. Start your research and reading 4. Brainstorm ideas 5. Plan our your ideas 6. Use planning framework to structure 7. Plan for 2-3 days if needed / keep reading 8. Write/edit/re-write

9. Seek help if you need it

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Further resources / help

• HELPS Centre / self help resources /sample assignments • Lecturer/ Faculty staff • Internet searches • Books / Bookshop – Co-Op/Abbeys/Bridge

• Your Classmates/Friends/Peers • https://www.facebook.com/UTSHELPS

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Useful Further Resources

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Do you have any questions about today’s workshop?

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• Good luck with your academic writing.

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Slides written by & prepared by Jonny Wells / UTS HELPS © UTS HELPS 2015

ssu.uts.edu.au/helps

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