ASSIGNMENT PLANNING IN GENERAL Eleven Steps to Assist you in Planning your Assignment for your Studies at MANCOSA. ACADEMIC SERVICES #01 FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT RELATED INFORMATION FOUND IN THE PROGRAMME HANDBOOK AND ON THE MANCOSACONNECT PORTAL Ensure that you have downloaded your assignment(s) from the MANCOSAConnect portal and that you are aware of your due dates. The assessment schedules can be found in Section 8.7 ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE in the Programme Handbook. #02 UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS Analyse and understand in detail what the expectations of your assignment are. In other words, what are you expected to do for your submission? The first step is to identify the keywords in the question given, so you know exactly what you need to do. Take for example, is your question expecting you to ‘discuss’ or to ‘analyse’, or perhaps, to ‘compare’ or to ‘apply’. The words in bold are referred to as ‘keywords’. As you can imagine, there is an important difference between ‘discuss’ something versus ‘apply’ something in an assignment. The next step is to make use of the supporting assignment rubric to guide you further, as it will provide you with more details regarding the submission. The last step is to determine the structure that is required. For example, should it be structured like an essay or a report, or does it require paragraphed answers? #03 DEVELOP A ROUGH PLAN Create a rough, but basic plan for your submission, including how you intend to approach it. Visual techniques, such as creating a mind map, may be beneficial to you. #04 SEARCH FOR ACADEMIC SOURCES OF INFORMATION Find relevant credible sources by accessing the various Academic databases available to you, such as EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, Emerald, etc. via the MANCOSA Online Library tab on MANCOSAConnect. You should avoid Wikipedia, and other Internet-copied information since these are not deemed credible sources. If you are not entirely sure how to differentiate between a credible and non-credible source, access the following video tutorial: ‘How to find credible sources’ https://bit.ly/38Hrx6u #05 READ AND TAKE NOTES Always read with a goal in mind. Begin by skimming sources to ensure that what you read in detail will be relevant to the assignment. In addition, take notes in your own words from a variety of academic sources. At this point, it is a good idea to start compiling the reference list as you are reading (great time-saving tip). #06 DEVELOP A ROUGH DRAFT Develop your first draft of the assignment and be sure to include your references utilised. Remember, we have to reference in the actual body of your assignment (in-text reference) as well as at the end of the assignment (reference list). Remember that you can always edit this later – it does not have to be your final version #07 REREAD, RETHINK,REVISE, AND REWRITE Reread your draft (as many times as you can). Some sections of your submission might need to be explored in greater detail if necessary to help you expand on any ideas. It is critical that you allow yourself sufficient time to reflect on what you are writing and ensure that you are answering the assignment in full. Revise the assignment so that it communicates your ideas to the reader clearly and logically. #08 EDIT FOR YOUR FINAL VERSION Double-check your assignment for any typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors. In addition, ask yourself some of the following questions: Have I completed all of the assignment requirements? Are my responses clear? Are my responses following the criteria outlined in the rubric? Have I referenced all of my sources in the text? Have I provided a full reference list at the end of my assignment? #09 COMPILE A REFERENCE LIST Your assignment must have a list of all the sources of information you have used. If you have been preparing the reference list as you do your assignment, this stage should only involve double-checking details. If you are not entirely sure how to do this, access the following video tutorial: ‘How to cite different sources with Harvard Referencing’ https://bit.ly/3jrFxTY #10 PROOFREAD Proofread your final assignment version. Once again, double-check your assignment for any typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors. It is beneficial to have someone else read your work to ensure that it makes sense. Alternatively, reading out loud will allow you to pick up on errors. Allow enough time for this important step, getting the grammar and spelling correct can earn you some easy marks. #11 SUBMIT YOUR ASSIGNMENT To gather the most useful data, participants need to have a clear understanding of the questions they are being asked. Verbal and written communication skills need to be strong to clearly and accurately convey information and create well-documented reports. Ensure you follow the instructions on how to submit your assignment via MANCOSAConnect. If you are not entirely sure how to do this, access the following video tutorial: https://bit.ly/378Byt6 Remember to download and keep the confirmation receipt of your assignment. HOORAY! DO NOT FORGET TO CONGRATULATE YOURSELF FOR COMPLETING YOUR SUBMISSION! Remember: Trying to complete an assignment in one night is next to impossible, so plan using the above steps carefully and do not leave it to the last minute! REFERENCE LIST Skills for Learning (2018) Harvard Referencing (cite them right): The Basics [online]. Wolverhampton: University of Wolverhampton. Available at: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/skills-forlearning/referencing/ [Accessed 11 April 2022]. Skills for Learning (2018) Guide to Planning your Assignment [online]. Wolverhampton: University of Wolverhampton. Available at: http://www.wlv.ac.uk/skills [Accessed 11 April 2022]. Study Help (2017) Assignment Planning [online]. Australia: University of South Australia. Available at: https://lo.unisa.edu.au/course/view.php?id=4074&sectionid=470909 [Accessed 11 April 2022].
