HOW TO WRITE A GOOD

ASSIGNMENT
By Bennet E. Niboi
Management & Business Consultant
BENNET & BENNET CONSULTING LIMITED, TAKORADI Telephone 020-814-3113/031-23600; E-mail benntet.bennet@hotmail.co.uk

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ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES
The following is a guide to how to write assignments:
Preparation Writing the actual contents Acknowledging sources Submission

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Preparation
Read thoroughly the assignment and identify key words and points of issues, especially strategic aspects. Keep to the terms of the assignment and do not introduce irrelevant information. Answer the question set not the one you wish had been set. Formulate a draft assignment plan featuring the main headings and sub-headings of the assignment. Produce a contents list at the commencement of & Bennet Consulting Ltd. the assignment. Bennet Tel 020-8143113 Copyright 2009

Writing the Actual Contents

The prose should be a rational and analytical commentary and completely focused on the assignment.
Assignments full of assertions and opinions will receive poor (even failing) grades. Logical and well-reasoned arguments will receive high grades. Avoid checklists and any slang language. Summary lists should be fully explained in the text. Ideally use shorter sentences rather than longer sentences.
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Writing the Actual Contents (contd)

Overall, the assignments should have a strategic focus. It should be professionally presented and, where appropriate, be illustrated by examples drawn from your own experiences. Ensure you have good paragraphs of introduction and conclusion with a bibliography reflecting research sources
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Acknowledging sources
All research data used should be identified in the text and the bibliography. The assignment must represent all your own work Assignment which copy material from the Module or textbooks without acknowledgement will be given a will be given a fail grade. Do not copy any material from a fellow students assignment; both assignments will be given a fail grade, so do not give your assignment to Bennet & Bennet Consulting Ltd. another student. Tel 020-8143113 Copyright 2009

Submission
Ensure the assignment is completed by the date specified and has the required number of words. Answers must be submitted to the appropriate office on time and in the required formant Late submission will be treated as failure. Submitted scripts must have your full names and subject title clearly stated both on the hard copies and in the e-mail address if required.

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KEY WORDS IN EXAMINATIONS/ASSIGNMENTS

The examiner will use cue words such as describe, discuss, evaluate, compare, etc to elicit a particular response from you in terms of what is required in the answer to questions. To help you interpret these cues we have given an outline to guide you to a more effective interpretation of what the examiner requires in answering a question.

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Types of question
Testing knowledge, recall of facts, concepts
Describe: List characteristics in a logical, detailed and wellplaned account of e.g. a procedure or theory List or name: Present a list of aspects, facts relevant to a specific category Summarise or State briefly: Give the essence of the matter, i.e. state briefly the main points, elements, aspects or findings (examples)
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Types of question
Testing understanding of a subject and the ability to explain or apply knowledge
Define:
Write a statement that gives precise meaning to a term or concept, an example could be given

Explain:
A detailed account to make a subject clear, to ensure that the reader will understand by means of illustration, or description and using examples

State or Give:
Present the information plainly without discussion

Illustrate:
Explain or make clear using well-chosen examples
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Types of question (contd)

Testing the ability to analyse
Analyse or Examine: To break down the idea into separate parts or elements. Describe each and show how they are related and why they are important Discuss: To examine or investigate by argument the various aspects of a statement, both for and against, with a summing-up or conclusion (Give only as much detail as is possible in the time allowed and observe any limiting terms in the question)
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Types of question (contd)

Testing the ability to synthesise, i.e. bring facts or ideas together in the form of an essay
Plan: Take relevant information/concepts/ideas and bring them together to show how you would do or explain something Write: An essay, report or letter is asked for, to achieve a particular objective; guidelines are usually given (ensure that these are followed)
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Types of question (contd)

Testing the ability to make a judgment, draw a conclusion, or to understand opposing points of view
Compare: Point out or show similarities or differences, or examine the differences between statement, ideas theories, etc. End with a conclusion Contrast or Differentiate or Distinguish between: Show ways in which things differ. End with a conclusion
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Evaluate or Interpret
Make an appraisal or express an opinion in terms of known criteria. This must come after a detailed discussion and flow logically from it

Comment:
To give a personal opinion on a subject. Again, there must be a discussion of points, e.g. for and against from which the opinion should logically flow

Criticize:
Point out good/bad points and judge as appropriate after weighing facts, characteristics or standpoints
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HOW ASSIGNMENTS ARE GRADED

The following is a guide to how assignments are graded.
Format, Style and Mechanics..15% Organisation and Content... 40 % Use of Sources 20 % Application. 25%

100%

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Format, Style and Mechanics of the paper 15%

These include:
spelling, bibliographic notation grammar, and other mechanics of writing.

These are generally of lesser importance, but contribute to the general evaluation of the paper since they may cause distraction or even signal a deeper weakness.
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Organisation and Content - 40 %

Clarity of the purpose What is the purpose of the paper (not the writer)?

Research Issue: Is the issue being studied clearly defined?

Validity
Does the study adequately address the issue it claims to treat? Does it describe and explain the phenomena at hand? Does it elucidate the complexity of the subject matter? Does the study treat the subject reliably and fairly? (be careful of bias) Bennet & Bennet Consulting Ltd.
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Organisation and Content - 40 % (contd)

Appropriate (valid, reliable) methodology
Will the methodology used in the study adequately address the issues involved?

Appropriate reporting of findings - Would the findings, based on the methodology , come out to be same as the ones anticipated? Conclusions and recommendations :
Do the conclusions and recommendations fit with the findings of the study? With each other? Does the study make any original contribution towards the understanding of the field of study?
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Organisation and Content - 40 % (contd)

Overall structure:
Continuity: Are the same themes evident through out? Sequence: Does the progress of the study flow readily? Integration: How do all the parts fit together?

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Use of Sources - 20 %
Familiarity with the field of study
Is the writer familiar with the literature of the field being studied?

Interaction with scholars/experts of the problem studied

How does the writer interact with the recognized experts on the field?

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Application - 25%
Does the writer attempt to apply the findings of the study to an actual situation in real life? Is the application appropriate to the problem studied? Does it address the issues involved in the study?

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Thank You for your attention

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Bennet & Bennet Consulting Ltd. Tel 020-8143113 Copyright 2009