Essay Assignment

Preparation Guide
May 2020 Semester
Objective
By the end of this guide, you should be able to:

Apply essay-writing skills in completing OUM’s

essay assignments according to the APA style.

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Generic Guide
◎This is a generic guide on writing essay
assignments.

◎However, we will use OUMH1603 Learning

Skills for the 21st Century as an example as it is
a compulsory subject for all students.

3
Steps for Essay Writing
1. Download and read the questions and rubrics.
2. Analyse the requirements.
3. Prepare an outline.
4. Search for ideas (contents).
5. Read and make notes in the outline.
6. Write the essay.
7. Review and edit.
8. Submit by the deadline.
4
 Download and read the
questions and rubrics
Login to myVLE > Assignment
> Choose subject.
OR
Login > myINSPIRE
> Choose Subject >
Assignment
5
 Download and read the
questions and rubrics
Download the
Submit your essay template
essay (once here
completed) here

Read this first!

Submit your
Download the
essay before this
question here
date 6
 Analyse the requirements
1. What does the question require?
2. Which topic is it related to?
3. Are there any specific requirements?

Assignment rubrics provide a

framework that clarifies assignment
requirements and standards of
performance for different grades.
You can use the rubric to see what is
important and where to focus in
completing the assignment.

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Prepare an outline
● Download the
essay template.
(refer to Slide 6)

● Start with the

cover page.

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 Prepare an outline

An essay typically consists of the following:

1. Introduction (refer to page 18 of OUMH1603
module)
2. Main contents / Body Paragraph (refer to page
20 of the module)
3. Conclusion (refer to page 21 of the module)
4. References
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 Prepare an outline
Structure the essay based on rubrics OR any
possible/required structure.

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 Search for ideas (contents)

Search tips:

● Plan your search

● Use the right
keywords
● Use AND to combine
keywords.
● Use your
imagination.
● Don't limit yourself to
just one database.
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 Search for ideas (contents)
In selecting sources
of information,
always make sure
that you apply the
concept of CRAAP.

https://youtu.be/NvpqS66ePZk
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 Read and make notes
in the outline
Based on the information gathered, you may start
taking notes in the outline prepared in Step 3.

Put a note /
write the info
here.

Tip: Keep the details of your information

sources, as you need to prepare the
References later.
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 Write the essay
In writing your essay, you will want to present
evidence to support your claims. In general, you
will do this by paraphrasing and quoting what
you discovered in Step 4.

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 Write the essay
Paraphrasing is the most
common way to share with
your readers what you have
found. You will synthesise
what you have read to
create a seamless argument.
Include a quote only
if the source will offer
an air of authority to
your argument, or if
the source is of
primary importance
to your topic.
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 Write the essay
For both paraphrasing and quoting,
you NEED to cite your sources
correctly and completely.
https://www.slideshare.net/k
Refer to: eemanxp/apa-style-
panduan-asas
You may use a citation machine:
http://www.citefast.com/ 16
 Review and edit
Check for typos and
All of the following are considered plagiarism:
● ● Turning in someone else's work as your own.
grammatical ● Copying words or ideas from someone else

mistakes. without giving credit.

● Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks.
● Ensure that the format ● Giving incorrect information about the source
is followed. of a quotation.

● Ensure that all parts ● Changing words but copying the sentence
structure of a source without giving credit.
are complete. ● Copying many words or ideas from a source

● Avoid plagiarism. that it makes up the majority of your work,

regardless of whether you give credit.
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 Review and edit
● Submitted essays will be put through a plagiarism
check. The penalty for % of similarity is as follows:
Similarity Percentage (%) / Mark Deduction (%) /
Kadar Pertindihan (%) Potongan Markah (%)

0 – 30 0

30.01 – 50 5

50.01 – 70 10

70.01 - 100 100

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 Submit by the deadline
● Please ensure that you keep the RECEIPT issued upon
submission of your assignment as proof of submission.

● Late submission is allowed as follows:

Within 1 week extension – 5% marks deduction
After 1 week extension – Assignment will NOT BE ACCEPTED. 19
 Tips to complete
essay assignment
● Start early: Essay assignments
take time as you need to search
for information, understand
them and write the essay based
on your understanding.
● Schedule a minimum of 30
minutes EACH day to complete
your assignment.
● Read a lot.
● Ask e-tutors if you are unclear
about the assignment.
● Writing skills cannot be mastered
in a short period. Keep writing,
improving and writing again.
● Learn to use technology to
facilitate the process of
information searching, reading
and writing.
● Believe that by doing this task,
you will become more skilled.
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Thank You

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