How to Improve Your Assignment Results

by Neville, Colin

• ISBN13: 9780335234370
• ISBN10: 0335234372
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-12-01
• Publisher: Open University Press

Summary

Are you puzzled by tutor comments on your assignments? Do you want to improve your grades but aren't sure how? Do you want help but don't know where to go or who to ask? If so, then this book will save the day! It will help any student to understand the comments they receive on their assignments and improve their assignment results.The book focuses on the common weaknesses that lecturers highlight when they write comments such as: 'You have not answered the question' 'Your work is more descriptive than critical' 'You did not tell me anything new' 'Your English is weak; it was difficult to follow your arguments' And by understanding what tutors are looking for in essays, students can quickly learn how to improve their assignment structures, the language they use, and their referencing skills in order to raise their grades.There is also a vital section on how to be more creative in assignments as well as a chapter on where to go for more help.This is an essential companion for all students who are not sure how to address the assignment feedback raised by their lecturer. It is also key reading for those who give feedback to students.

Author Biography

Colin Neville has worked in UK further and higher education as a lecturer, course organiser and student advisor for over twenty years. He is a specialist adviser at the Learner Development Unit at the University of Bradford and a Learning Area Consultant with the national 'LearnHigher' project: a Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning, involving a network of sixteen higher education institutions and the Higher Education Academy.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. viii
Why read this book	p. 1
Flight	p. 2
Fright	p. 2
Fight	p. 2
What this book covers	p. 3
What to expect in each chapter	p. 3
The shock of poor results	p. 6
Impact	p. 7
Moving on	p. 9
Self-analysis	p. 9
Interpreting your assignment results	p. 12
Essays and reports	p. 12
What the marks from your tutors 'mean'	p. 15
What tutors expect of you	p. 20
'You have not answered or addressed the question'	p. 24
Key words, propositions, and assumptions	p. 25
Spot the proposition	p. 29
Do you agree with the proposition?	p. 30
What else?	p. 30
The importance of good introductions	p. 31
Keep focused on the assignment topic	p. 33
'Your work is more descriptive than critical'	p. 36
Critical thinking/critical analysis	p. 37
Six ways to be analytical	p. 38
Getting started	p. 39
Analysing theories	p. 41
Six ways to question a theory (or idea, model, or practice)	p. 42
The Janus face of arguments	p. 44
Identifying flaws in arguments	p. 44
Constructing your own arguments	p. 46
'Your assignment was poorly structured'	p. 48
Essays	p. 49
Introductions	p. 55
Conclusions	p. 57
Report Structure	p. 63
'You did not tell me anything new'	p. 73
Become an ideas entrepreneur	p. 74
The role of a student	p. 74
What is creativity?	p. 76
Looking good	p. 80
'Your reading for this assignment is limited'	p. 85
Which sources to use	p. 86
Weaker sources?	p. 88
Other sources	p. 90
How can you discriminate and choose between sources?	p. 92
'You need to improve your referencing'	p. 95
Using evidence in assignments	p. 95
Why reference?	p. 97
When to reference	p. 98
When you don't need to reference	p. 99
Avoiding plagiarism	p. 99
How to reference	p. 102
What's the difference between references and a bibliography?	p. 105
'Your English is weak: it was difficult to follow your arguments'	p. 110
The price of mistakes	p. 111
Comma confusion	p. 112
Correct use of the apostrophe	p. 113
Common errors	p. 114
Spelling	p. 115
Keep it short	p. 116
The importance of redrafting and proofreading	p. 121
Recommended reading	p. 122
Finding your own voice in assignments	p. 123
Example essay	p. 124
Commentary	p. 130
Developing your own writing style	p. 133
You and 'I'	p. 137
Sources of help	p. 140
Support from tutors	p. 141
Support from other students	p. 143
Counselling services	p. 145
Learning support centres	p. 145
The LearnHigher network	p. 146
The 'Write-Now' Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)	p. 147
The Student Network CETL	p. 147
The best support is you	p. 147
Suggested additional reading	p. 150
	p. 151
	p. 153
	p. 156
	p. 157
	p. 158
	p. 159
	p. 163
References	p. 166
Index	p. 169
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