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Writing and Referencing

How do I write an assignment?

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Writing an assignment includes the writing process and outcome (essay, report, reflection) you want to achieve.

Writing Process

Divide the process into manageable chunks: 

  • Understanding the question and the task
  • Searching databases and library catalogues
  • Reading and making notes
  • Develop your response with a plan and structure
  • Writing and editing
  • Final proofreading and formatting.

Use some of the weekly study time to work on the task. For a 1500 word assignment begin about 3 weeks before the due date.

With experience, you will develop confidence in your ability to estimate the amount of time needed to complete each stage of the writing process.  

Writing Structure

All assignments have an introduction, body and conclusion. However, the structure varies for an essay, report or a literature review. 

Writing Style

Assignments require a formal academic writing style that clearly identifies the sources of your ideas. Your writing has to be logically organised, written in paragraphs, and free of grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors.

If you need to develop your writing skills, contact Academic Skills. 

How do I set out assignments correctly?

Your School will have specific requirements for the format and presentation of assignments.

Unit Outline

The Unit Outline will give information about:

  • Font to use (eg. Times New Roman, Calibri)
  • Point size (11 or 12 point)
  • Line spacing (double or one and a half line)
  • Page set up (Margins and full or left justification)
  • Paragraph formation (full block or indent)
  • Page number position (top or bottom of page)
  • Citation method (APA, Harvard, MLA, Chicago)
  • School Coversheet (attached to assignments)
  • Marking Guide (attached to assignments)
  • Submission of assignments (where, when and any penalties for late submission).

Ask your lecturer about the presentation of your work.

How important is referencing?

Referencing shows your ability to read, understand, evaluate, write about and cite ideas from the scholary literature in your work. 

Plagiarism

If you do not identify the sources of your ideas using the specified referencing system correctly, you could be guilty of plagiarism.

It is a student responsibility to understand the definition and explanations of Plagiarism in the Academic Regulations, the Academic Honesty Policy, and Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedures. See Handbook 2012 and policies and procedures.

There are severe penalties for academic dishonesty in situations involving plagiarism, recycling and collusion.

Referencing Formats

The Unit Outline will identify the system of referencing for your course of study.

Do not presume that you can use a system that you previously used at school or college. This is usually not satisfactory. 

Find out more on academic referencing from:

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