A few words on a written assignment:
- Each assignment you write should answer a precise question. Assignments
should not simply summarise your notes.
- Plan each assignment before you write. Prioritise your arguments and choose
the best illustrations
- Your opening sentence and first paragraph should define the problem you are
tackling. Avoid any banal statements.
- Do not be afraid to disagree with what you imagine your professor’s views
might be. Professors often ‘take a line’ to draw students out. State your own
case.
- Arguments have a structure: Offer a proposition. Provide supporting evidence.
- Consider if an opposing argument is appropriate. Provide supporting evidence
as appropriate. Conclude with a reasoned choice or synthesis.
- Never plagiarise.
- Always give full references in a correct form.
- Use the Library wisely. You cannot depend on getting a particular book or
article just when you want it. Browse along the shelves for books and journals
and check the new books display.
- Check the computer to see if an item is on short loan, or to see if you
can reserve it in advance.
- Cooperate with fellow students by sharing books or photocopies.
- Use the subject search facilities on the computer to find relevant
materials.
- Follow up the footnotes and bibliographies of the books and articles
you already have.
- Familiarise yourself with primary source materials, and don’t always
rely on secondary sources or commentators.
10.Use your initiative in finding source materials and your creativity in writing
essays.
Assessment Criteria for written assignment: In your written assignment, I will be
looking at:
- A clear argument
- the range of relevant literature used
- the application of theory to the case in question
- the extent to which material has been synthesised
- the clarity and coherence of the overall written piece
- the extent to which the remit of the assignment brief has been met
- the accuracy with which relevant theoretical arguments, concepts and
data are described
- the degree to which the theories and concepts discussed are integrated
and contextualised
- the coherence and integration of the structure of the work presented
- the clarity (spelling, grammar, etc.) and technical accuracy with which
ideas are expressed
- the use of properly referenced sources to support the arguments made