Analysing and Planning Assignments

Martin McMorrow

Centre for Teaching and LearningMassey University, New Zealand

ctlalb@massey.ac.nz 094418143

What is an assignment?

an original piece of work:typically:•an essay•a report

•a presentation•a project

100 level - 1000 –2000 words 200 level - 1500 –2500 words 300 level - 2000 –3000 words

individual, pairs or groups

completed independently by students in their own time typically:• several hours per week for a month or so• Use of 6 + books & articles – not just

lecture notes & course book

Where can you find out about assignments?

Find your course guide on Stream

It’ll look like this: or this:

And look up the section on Assessment

Find out more in lectures and tutorials

Ask questions and look for updates in the news & discussion forums on Stream

How can you plan for successful assignments?

• Check the deadline

• Make your own timeline

• Divide up the time available

Time Management

now due1 432revisewriteplan & research

Use the assignment planning calculator in OWLL

Question analysis

• topic

• focus

• task

What is this about?

Which aspects of the topic or example(s)?

What to do with it?

Sample Question: Discuss how Auckland is planning for growth. (1200 words)

Topic: (urban) growth

Focus: Auckland’s future planning

Task: discuss

Step 1: Analyse the question

sub-topics: types of growth? short vs long-term? strategies?

word limit for this essay = 1200

1200 words = about 8 paragraphs

average words per paragraph = about 150

Step 2: Estimate number of paragraphs

Step 3: Allocate paragraphs to subtopics

2 & 3: future housing needs & plans

4 & 5: future economic needs & plans

6 & 7: future transport needs & plans

1: intro

8: conclusion

Further steps …

Note-taking

Writing

Referencing

Research

Feedback

Next workshop

Study Up

Study Up + OWLL

Library: How do I find?

Pre-Reading & Consultation

Look under ‘Academic Support’ in Stream

Clear analysis and planning is the basis for successful projects

Good luck!