Do you have an assignments to complete but don’t know where to start?
There are many different types of assignments at university, so it is vital to read the instructions in the unit plan. Look for additional information in the Assessments folder on the Unit Blackboard site and make sure you find the rubric/marking guide.
The next step is to make sure that you understand what the assignment question means and what you are being asked to do.
No matter how complex an assignment question is, breaking it down systematically will greatly simplify this task. Here are the steps:
Identify the instruction words, topic words and restricting words in the assignment below:
In the last 20 years, rates of divorce have risen significantly in Western countries. Critically analyse some of the different explanations given for this phenomenon. Discuss implications these explanations might have for social policy.
1. What are the instruction words?
a) In the last 20 years, in Western Countries
b) rates of divorce have risen significantly, explanations, Implications, for social policy
c) Critically analyse, discuss
2. What are the content words?
a) In the last 20 years, in Western Countries
b) rates of divorce have risen significantly, explanations, Implications, for social policy
c) Critically analyse, discuss
3. What are the restricting (limiting) words?
a) In the last 20 years, in Western Countries
b) rates of divorce have risen significantly, explanations, Implications, for social policy
c) Critically analyse, discuss
1. c, 2. b, 3. a