understanding assignment questions : propositions and assumptions louise livesey academic skills...

Understanding Assignment Questions: Propositions and Assumptions

Louise LiveseyAcademic Skills Adviser

This workshop will...

− Provide information on key words in set questions − Define propositions and assumptions and show

how to identify them − Explain how to answer questions containing

propositions and assumptions

13 January, 2015 Academic Skills Advice1

The Plan…

1. What markers want

2. What is an assumption?

3. What is a proposition?


Decipher and unpick the question/task code by:• Finding the key words• Defining the key words• Addressing the key words

Don’t forget AND

1.What markers want


Keys to unlock the questionsCritically analytic Action expected Account for Explain

You would clarify why something is as it is, or what happened in any given situation.

Discuss Examine Explore Evaluate Consider Interpret Comment on

If you see any of these command terms you are expected to identify and explain the main features of the subject under discussion, including the main theories, ideas, models, or practices underpinning the topic.If applicable, you would be expected to know of and weigh up any counter-arguments and to make connections between different ideas, models, or practices.

Analyse Criticise

This involves a detailed scrutiny of the topic in question. This could include explaining the origins, structure, organisation, or development of the topic in question, the positive and negative features of it, and the connections between theories, ideas, models, and practices. You would also demonstrate your awareness of any flaws in particular points of view, and your knowledge of alternative viewpoints.

Justify This involves making out a case and giving reasons to support a particular viewpoint, position, judgement, or decision against other possibilities.

Compare and contrast Distinguish between

This involves a close study of the differences between one idea, phenomena, or situation, and another. You would need to identify the structure or features of one and make comparisons with another. You may be required to make a judgement on which is more applicable or relevant for the situation in question.


1.What markers want

A point of view or statement: taken for granted

Your task:doubt the assumption; ask questions to see if it is true or not

2.What is an assumption?


‘What is the difference between a conductor and an insulator? Give experimental evidence for the descriptions that you give, and account for these descriptions using a microscopic model of the material.’

Assumption: Conductors and insulators are different

What’s expected of you: Distinguish between conductors and insulators using evidence, reach a conclusion



‘The economic prosperity of any nation is dependent on the quality of its human resources: discuss.’

Assumption: Possible to measure quality of nation’s HR and achievement of economic prosperity is a goal for allWhat’s expected of you: Define ‘economic prosperity’ and ways to measure; formulate idea of quality of HR and how judged, consider if quality of HR is most appropriate method of measuring economic prosperity, compare and contrast other markers



‘Evaluate the concerns that for all the talk of a new flexible workforce the reality is somewhat more contradictory and problematic.’

Assumption: ‘Reality’ IS more ‘contradictory and problematic’.What’s expected of you: Define flexible work practices, geographical parameters, discuss evolution, scales and extent of flexi-working practices today, discuss perceptions and expectations of workers and businesses

Activity 1: Assumption-spotting



A definite point of view or statement: a direct statement, or indirect underpinning of the statement in question.

Your task:ask questions to see if it holds true entirely, in part or not at all.

3.What is a proposition?


‘Evaluate the impact of the internet on practices for recruitment and selection employed by firms.’

Proposition: Internet has had an impact

What’s expected of you: Decide importance of impact, weigh up value of `net v other ways. Different-sized organisations



‘It can be said that the long-standing nature-nurture argument about the development of human behaviour still rages today. Some theorists take the position that behaviour is attributable to generic factors, while others argue that environmental factors are responsible. Explore this issue, with reference to relevant theorists and commentators.’

Proposition: Discuss polarities and if convergenceWhat’s expected of you: Define terms, introduce arguments, influence of other disciplines, and if a convergence, relationship and dynamics between nature/nurture



Activity 2: Proposition DIY

• Work in pairs

• Choose a bullet-pointed subject from the list

• Create a question containing a proposition



Neville, C. (2009) How to improve your assignment results. Maidenhead: OUP.

Statement: Assumptions (2014) [online] Available at: http://fi.ge.pgstatic.net/attachments/2d80fd3b0901439fbd2cdf446835e216.pdf [Accessed 24.7.2014]

All visuals are from Clip Art

References


http://fi.ge.pgstatic.net/attachments/2d80fd3b0901439fbd2cdf446835e216.pdf

http://fi.ge.pgstatic.net/attachments/2d80fd3b0901439fbd2cdf446835e216.pdf

Academic Skills Advice Service• Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23• What do we do? Support undergraduate

students with their academic skills by running clinics and workshops, having bookable appointment slots, and enabling students to drop-in for Instant Action.

• Who are we? Michael and Helen specialise in Maths Support; Lucy and Russell advise students on study skills; and I (Louise) deliver the workshops

• When can you come for help? Everyday both face to face and on-line

• How do I get in touch? Email: [email protected] or website www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills13 January, 2015 Academic Skills Advice14

mailto:[email protected]

Any questions?


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