Essays and other assignments
Assignments involving extended writing are a common form of assessment in many subjects, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. But the value of assignment writing is not limited to assessment: writing assignments is an important part of the learning process in higher education. Each assignment you write is an opportunity to:
- gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of a topic
- develop critical thinking and reading skills
- plan and structure a complex piece of writing
- construct a sustained argument based on evidence
- learn to write for an academic audience
Here are some important points to remember:
- Address the task fully. This involves:
- answering every part of the question and/or following all instructions
- avoiding digressions and irrelevant material - Write the assignment in your own words and follow academic conventions on the use of sources
- Ensure that the language and style are appropriate to the task. This usually means using formal language and an academic style but in some cases (e.g. journals, promotional material) a less formal tone may be more appropriate.
There are several types of assignment, including:
- essays
- reports
- literature reviews
- critiques
- proposals
- reflective pieces such as learning journals and self-evaluation reports
- professional texts such as business plans, product specifications and promotional material
These pages contain information and advice on the most common types of assignment: essays, reports, literature reviews and proposals. They also provide guidance on the process of writing an assignment.
