A project assignment differs from an essay in format, in that headings and sub-headings are used to denote relationships or connectivity of issues. Furthermore, writing an assignment does not mean a mere presentation of facts. It is more like an academic exercise in which you have a stand on certain issues, argue out the reason and provide authoritative evidence to support your argument.
The 10 steps to producing a good written assignment:
1) Select a topic- choose one topic you are comfortable with, one that you know something about.
2) Analyze the topic- ask yourself what the main issues are and what the supporting issues are.
3) Search for information – use the search strategy you know best and apply it
4) Evaluate and select- do you have information relevant to the main issues and supporting issues.
5) Take notes from resources- Make sure notes cover all aspects related to the main issues and supporting issues.
6) Plan an outline-make sure that the outline consists of introduction, body of content, conclusion and Accompanying information in the form of appendixes, footnote, etc.
7) Organize and consolidate- write notes for each part (e.g. Introduction, Body of content, Conclusion, Accompanying information).
8) Write the Paper- Be guided by the following: Language should be simple and clear. There should be a smooth flow of ideas and arguments. Apply creative thinking. Provide accompanying information in the form of appendixes and references.
9) Review assignment- Ask yourself the following questions:
- Have I dealt with the main issue and supporting issues thoroughly?
- Is the content relevant and thorough?
- Is there sufficient supporting evidence to uphold my views, opinions and ideas?
- Does the paper make sense overall?
- Is the language clear and precise, or vague and ambiguous?
- Do the paragraphs connect well?
- Are the quotations appropriately cited?
- Are the illustrations properly labeled?
- Are there spelling errors?
- Are all the references cited in the assignment properly recorded?
10) Present before deadline – it is important to present your assignment before the deadline. However brilliant your assignment, it shows poor time management skills if it is presented after the deadline. You have to allot sufficient time to complete your assignment. Avoid procrastination in order to produce a good piece of assignment.
Common Faults Found in Assignments
| Faults | How to overcome |
| 1.Unfocussed treatment | Keep to the point, do not ramble. Always refer back to the topic, and leave out unnecessary points. |
| 2. Shallow treatment of topic/ subject | Provide sufficient content. Read more; use more examples, back up arguments with evidence. |
| 3, Badly organized content (poor presentation) | Keep to outline: Introduction Body of content: · Issues 1+argument · Issues 2+argumen · Issues 3+argument · Issues 4+argument Conclusion References |
| 4. Lack of fluency and flow | Keep language simple and to the point. Link point and paragraphs. Check spelling and grammar |
| 5.poor introduction | Make sure you introduce the topic and explain how you are approaching the subject. Put the topic in perspective. |
| 6. poor conclusion | Make sure you concluded by providing the answers or solutions to the issues involved. Refer again to the topic and make sure your conclusion is consistent with the introduction. Have you answer the conclusion, the questions raised in the body of content? |
| 7. Boring presentation | Be creative in your approach, be less pedantic in style. Be open to other views and ideas. Be an active reader, do not accept whatever is written at face value. Question, question and question. |
| 8.irrelevent information | Make sure you read widely and gather enough relevant information so that you do not need to “pad-up” your essay with irrelevant information. Apply evaluation and selection criteria to your reading and information gathering. |
Introduction
When writing the introduction you should state the scope of the paper, set the scene or clarify what the main issue is and how you intend to approach it. It is usually putting the topic into perspective and serves as a preview of what you intend to say. It should be short, to the point and should not be more than 2 paragraphs
Body of content
The main body content should contain your ideas, opinions and facts, explained and argued out systematically and logically, with each idea or issue or argument flowing smoothly from one to another. Each paragraph should contain only one main point or main idea, with supporting details.
The paragraph must be interconnected, so that ideas flow smoothly throughout the main body of content. Make sure that when an issue is raised in one paragraph, it is carefully and systematically followed through in the following paragraphs before raising another issue. Use a numbering system to show relationship or interconnectivity among or between issues. Illustrations (diagrams, pictures, etc) should be used if they help in clarifying the issues.
Conclusion
Always refer to the topic when you write this section. Ensure that what you say in the conclusion tallies with the introduction and the body of content. A good conclusion should be able to provide the reader with a sense of completion or closure- end of a story. Do not repeat what you have said in the introduction. The conclusion must show progress in the development of the topic from the introduction and through the body of content. The conclusion does not introduce new ideas, argument or options but should represent closure of the issues or ideas argued out in the main body.
Accompanying information
List of references
-list of materials referred to and used in the text
Footnotes or Notes
- citation of materials quoted in your text or notes to explain certain issues contained in the text. Specific reference to topics or page numbers from which information in the text is obtained, to be detailed.
List of references
I. The sources are listed in alphabetical sequence, according to the names of authors or titles
II. Each item has complete bibliographical details ( page, author, title, edition, year of publication, publisher)
| et.al ( and others) ibid (ibidem)-in the same book, passage, paragraph, etc. as above op.cit. (opus citatum) – In the work already quoted ( not immediately above) |
Quotation and paraphrasing
If ideas and opinions of other people are reproduced verbatim, use quotation markers and provide details of source either in the form of a footnote or cite immediately after the quotation. If you decide to use your own words or paraphrasing, you can write the source in the text.
Citation style
In the process of completing your assignments, you need to document all sources used in your paper. There are many ways of documenting sources within the text of a paper and in the reference section at the end of your paper. Citation style I want is based on the APA (American Psychological Association) format.
Types of resources or references may be as follows:
Books, journals, Specific topics in a book, Websites and other types of materials
a) Citing printed Books
Use the following for citing printed books:
I. Book by a single Author
Author’s Name (Year). Title of book.( Edition). Place of publication: Publisher.
Example:
Haig, M. (2001). The B2B e-commerce handbook: how to transform your business-to-business global marketing strategy.
II. Book by Two Authors
1st Author’s Name and 2nd Author’s Name (Year). Title of book.( Edition). Place of publication: Publisher.
Example:
Boone, L.E. & Kurtz, D. (2001). Contemporary Marketing. (10th ed.).
III. Book by Three Authors
1st Author’s Name, 2nd Author’s Name and 3rd Author’s Name (Year). Title of book: subtitle of book.( Edition). Place of publication: Publisher.
Example :
Allen, C., Kania,D. & Yaeckel, B. (2002). One-to-one web-marketing: build a relationship marketing strategu one customer at a time (2nd ed.).
Iv. Book by more than Three Authors
1st Author’s Name et al. (Year). Title of book: subtitle of book (Edition). Place of publication: Publisher.
Example
Amrine, H. et al.(1993). Manufacturing organization and management .(6th ed.).
V. Edited books
Title of book. (Year). Editor: Editor’s Name. Place of publication: Publisher.
Example:
NEW directions in Internet management.(2002). Editor : Sanjiv Purba.
You should know how to distinguish between the term “edition” and “impression” or “reprint”. Edition denotes that the text has been amended, while impression or reprint indicates no changes in the text. Always cite the edition date as the date of publication, not the impression or reprint date. Example,
1st edition date: 1968
5th impression or reprint:2000
Please use the date 1968 as shown below:
Cruise,T.J.(1968). Educational technology.
Citing Specific chapter in a Book
(Book by Single Author)
Name of author of chapter.(Year). Title of chapter. Chapter number in Name of main author or editor of book, title of book (edition, pp. first page- lastpage). Place of publication: Publisher.
Example :
Kuegler, T.J. Jr (2002) Web advertising: banners and beyond; chapter 12 in T.J. Kuegler Jr.(2002). Web advertising and marketing.(3rd ed).
(Book by Two Authors)
1st Author’s name & 2nd Author’s name.(Year). Title of chapter: Subtitle of chapter. in 1st Editor’s Name and 2nd Editor’s Name, title of book: subtitle of book (edition, pp. first page- lastpage). Place of publication: Publisher
Example :
Cruise.J.T. & Shaharuddin Salleh(1999). Video : effective use in creating learning material. in J.L.Hunters& M.K.Brown, Mltimedia: Applications and implications (2nd Edition, pp.98-104).
Citing Article in Journal
Article written by one Author
Author’s Name (Year). Title of article in the journal. Title of journal: Subtitle of Journal, Volume( issue).first page- last page.
Example :
Kargonkar, p.(2002). Web usage, advertising and shopping : relationship patterns.internet research : Electronic Networking and policy, 12(2),191-204.
Article written by 2 Authors
1st Author’s Name & 2nd Author’s Name (Year). Title of article in the journal. Title of journal: Subtitle of Journal, Volume( issue).first page- last page.
Example :
Kargonkar, p & Wolin, L.D.(2002). Web usage, advertising and shopping : relationship patterns.internet research : Electronic Networking and policy, 12(2),191-204.
Article written by more than 3 Authors
1st Author’s Name et al. (Year). Title of article in the journal. Title of journal: Subtitle of Journal, Volume( issue).first page- last page.
Citing works by corporate Authors
The names of the writer can also be in the form of an institution, society, department or ministry. Refer to the following example:
Formats for citing Websites
Author’s Name (Year). Title of electronic text. [Online]. Available :website address [Year,Month,date]
Example:
Morrison,K.(n.d). Thinking Skills-keys to fusing talents. [Online]. Available :http://www.nexus.edu.au/TechStud/gat/morrisson.htm. [1999, Dec, 29]
Assignment format
In presenting your assignment, maintaining a certain quality of your output is crucial. First, it is important that an assignment be typed out, have a clear print and be well-spaced out. The following are some pointers to help you format and present your assignment well:
a) Use A4 size white paper. Do not mix paper sizes in an assignment, and use one side of the paper only.
b) Leave the right margin of 3 cm for my comments.
c) The first page of your assignment or the title page should consist of the title of the assignment, your name, your matrix number, tutorial group, semester , year of study and your tutor’s name and learning center( college)
d) Keep font size to 12 point; avoid overuse of bold print, multiple fonts, or other printing effects.
e) Font selection- avoid ornate or difficult-to-read font styles (Times New Roman is the font generally used). Type in one color and do not use red.
f) Number all your pages and in sequence.
g) If inserting pages with diagrams and illustrations, ensure that these have correct page numbers.
h) Secure all the pages by either binding or stapling them together.
i) Length of project 8-10 pages (double spacing)
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