Getting started with writing and editing your university assignments can be a daunting prospect. But if you’re feeling lost, we’re here with a little bit of guidance to help you on your way.
Getting Started
Understand the assignment requirements:
Carefully read the instructions and pay attention to the guidelines and marking rubric. Understanding your assignment is the essential first step. You might create a masterpiece but if it doesn’t answer the question you’ve been asked then it’s all been for nothing. In particular keep an eye out for the assignment type.
Break the assignment down into manageable pieces:
Make time for researching, writing and editing your assignment. Breaking your assignment into manageable pieces and setting deadlines for each element helps you feel a sense of accomplishment and keeps you motivated to keep going.
Research:
Researching is an essential part of the assignment writing process. Make sure to use reliable sources. As you collect relevant information for your assignment, organise your findings into categories as this will make it easier to format your assignment when it comes time to start writing. The Library hosts online workshops to help with developing your research skills.
Create an outline:
With all your research now sorted out into categories you can start creating the structural skeleton of your assignment. Use bullet points or headings to separate your ideas and arguments into different sections.
Fill in the gaps:
All that’s left now is to turn those bullet points and headings into a coherent piece of writing. All of your arguments are ready and waiting for you to start writing them down. Remember you want your academic writing to be:
- Formal
- Objective
- Concise
- Intentionally careful in tone
With your assignment researched and written up its time to take a short break before you can take that final step between now and hitting that submit button: Editing.
Editing your assignment
Take a well earned break:
You’ve done the hard part. Now take a break. Not only do you deserve the reward but it will help to put some distance between you and your writing so you can come back to it with a fresh critical eye.
Read it it aloud:
Sometimes when you read quietly in your head you make quick little edits without even noticing you’re doing it. Maybe you skip over repeated words, or misused a homophone, or your sentences just don’t flow quite right. Reading aloud forces you to take it slowly and get a feel for what is really on the paper.
Get feedback:
You can visit the Griffith Mentors online or in person to get support and feedback on your assignment structure, flow and writing.
By following these tips you’ll have set yourself up to create a well planned and executed assignment—but remember that you don’t have to struggle alone. If you need support you can organise a time to speak with one of our Library specialists.
