help! what does my assignment question...
TRANSCRIPT
Help! What does my assignment question
mean ?
Webinar Presentation
How to use this recording
• Watch
• Pause to do activities
• Slides: http://tinyurl.com/slideswebinar
Understanding your assignment question
The goals of this webinar are to:
• Understand the different parts of an assignment question
• Learn how to answer different question types
• Use the marking criteria as a guide for your assignment
Why is understanding the question so vital?
Careful task analysis will help you:
• Research and read on the correct topic
• Answer the question appropriately
• Pass the assignment!!!
Quiz: My experience answering questions in writing
A. I have a lot of experience answering complex questions in writing through work or study
B. I have some experience writing to answer complex questions
C. I don’t have much experience writing answers to complex questions, or not for a long time
D. I haven’t ever really answered complex questions in written form
Analysing the question
Instruction/task Topic
Discuss the effects of the internet on tertiary education.
Limiting words
Parts of an assignment question
1. The instruction words (sometimes called task descriptors) tell you the
approach you need to take in your answer
2. The general topic words tell you what the general topic is
3. The limiting words narrow down the topic so you know what part of the
general topic to focus on
Identify the three elements of the question
Communication is an essential component of nursing. Explain how good verbal and written communication skills allow nurses to provide proper and safe care for their patients (HSA).
Discuss the influence of popular music personalities on gender role modelling (ACAP).
Choosing one illicit substance and examine the effects that wider factors have had on use trends of this drug throughout this period (NCPS).
Have a list of ‘Task Words’ on hand
Instruction words: Match the words to their meanings
Task descriptor What to do in your essay
Decide the value of, judge, measure the importance of.
Set two or more things in opposition and explain the differences. Indicate whether the differences are significant.
Thinking deeply about a topic, analyse your own beliefs and values to gain understanding of a topic
Consider and interpret a topic from different points of view - considering all angles. Present your position on the topic.
Give the exact words used – word for word
Instruction words:
Contrast, Reflect, Verbatim examples, Discuss, Assess
Other important words
Concept:
an important idea
Criteria:
the standards
Factor:
Circumstances bringing about a
result
Significance:
meaning and importance
Role: what part it plays
Example question 1: Instruction word
Write an essay discussing this statement:
Indigenous culture in Australia has been systematically broken down since white settlement.
The instruction word for this question is:
A) Assess
B) Discuss
C) Evaluate
D) Communicate
Example question 1: General topic and limited topic
Write an essay discussing this statement
Indigenous culture in Australia has been systematically broken down since white settlement.
What are the general topic words?
What are the limiting words?
Example: General topic and limited topic
Write an essay discussing this statement
Indigenous culture in Australia has been systematically broken down since white settlement.
What is the general topic?
Australian Indigenous culture and breakdown
What is the limited topic?
since white settlement
Example question 2
Cognitive and emotional intelligence are considered to be important individual differences in the field of organisational behaviour.
Write an essay critically evaluating these concepts, and discuss how cognitive ability
and emotional intelligence can be applied in modern organisations.
The instruction words for this question are:
A) Reflect and discuss
B) Consider and evaluate
C) Differentiate and evaluate
D) Critically evaluate and discuss
Example question 2: General topic and limited topic
Cognitive and emotional intelligence are considered to be important individual differences in the field of organisational behaviour.
Write an essay critically evaluating these concepts, and discuss how cognitive
ability and emotional intelligence can be applied in modern organisations.
What is the general topic?
What are the limiting words?
Brainstorming
Prepare a scaffold
Finding your assignment information on your class space
Assignment question from Organisational Behaviour
Marking criteria continued
Marking criteria continued
Using the assignment question
Keep the assignment question and marking criteria next to you when you are researching.
Check the assignment question regularly when you are writing. Don’t go off track!
In the introduction to your essay, refer directly to the assignment question and give your answer to it.
In the conclusion to your essay, summarise and comment on what you have written in your assignment AND refer directly back to the assignment question and give your answer to it.
In particular, the section on Assessment Writing
More resources
Task word lists
http://www.student.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/19296
85/List_of_common_task_words.pdf
https://student.unsw.edu.au/glossary-task-words
Webinar slides: http://tinyurl.com/slideswebinar
Contact the Learning Support Team: Sydney and online students contact:
(02) 9964 6320 /http://sls.navitas-professional.edu.au/
Melbourne and Adelaide students contact:
(03) 8613 0626 /http://sls.navitas-professional.edu.au/
Brisbane students contact:
(07) 3234 4405 /http://sls.navitas-professional.edu.au/