Using Stuff

By the end of this session, you should:

• Recognise your approach to producing assignments

• Be able to identify common problems to avoid in your assignments

Learning Outcomes

Approaches to writing

Common problems & best practice

Adapted from Greasley 2011, p.10-13.

How do you eat an elephant?

How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time

Breaking down a big job into more manageable chunks can make it much easier to complete.

Essay Layout

An essay should follow this basic structure:

Introduction(1 paragraph, 2 at most)

Main Body(one or more paragraphs on each point you want to make)

Conclusion(1 paragraph, bringing together your points – do not introduce new information!)

Essay Style

• Use the 3rd-person style: never use ‘I’ in an essay (unless you’re told to).

• Formal language : avoid contractions and colloquial language– ‘did not’, not ‘didn’t’; ‘television’ not ‘TV’ or ‘telly’

• Write in proper sentences – word-processing software can assist you with this.

• Don’t use bullet points in an essay– You can sometimes structure bullets into a flowing list by using colons and

semi-colons; however, each bullet usually needs to be a separate sentence.

• Use clear language to communicate your points

• Re-write your work at least once, to make it flow better

• Make sure you are not just describing something. For good marks you need to discuss, explain and analyse ideas.

• Reports present information or findings (essays present ideas)

• Different Structures

• Headings, Numbering & Contents used

• Broken into clear sections

• Reports include recommendations

Report Conventions

Information Report Layout

Component Purpose Description

Title Asks the question or

outlines the task

Includes key words about content and process.

Concise and to the point

Abstract Gives a brief summary A short paragraph describing the scope of the

report and main findings

Introduction Gives the purpose and

scope of the report

This gives critical background information. It

focuses on the key issues and outlines what is to

follow

Main body Gives the information,

interpreting, evaluating

if appropriate

The information should be divided into sections

under headings which could be numbered. Each

point of information should be supported by

evidence or example

Conclusion Summarises in 1-2

sentences the main

points of information

Shows you how you have answered the question

Report Style

• Usually in the 3rd-person style.

• Use formal language : avoid contractions and colloquialisms

– ‘did not’, not ‘didn’t’; ‘television’ not ‘TV’ or ‘telly’

• Write in proper sentences – word-processing software can assist you with this.

• Bullet points are acceptable in some sections

• Though you can use abbreviations, ensure that these are clear

• Re-write your work at least once, to make it flow better– The order of your report may alter as you write and make connections;

recognise this, and leave time for the necessary re-writes

You need to aim for an objective and detached style in your assignments.

• “Swarms of migrants” (Cameron 2015) is a more subjective and nuanced choice of words than “groups of migrants”.

• “I think that…” is less likely to be evidence-based than “it can be argued that…”

Putting your point across

As a basic rule of thumb, at least one source should be used per 250 words

How many references?

Writing style

Good luck with your assignments!