The secret to assignment success

CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081

The secrets to
assignment success
Dr Janine Rix
Learning Advisor
Sciences and Health

Session objectives
 Know the 10 secrets to assignment success
 Feel excited and confident about tackling
your next assignment

Secret #1

Secret #1
Do things in the right order

Poll time
Question: What is the first thing you usually do when
starting an assignment?
A. Do some brainstorming about the topic
B. Start gathering research articles about the topic
C. Spend time understanding the task sheet
D. It really depends on the type of assignment

Secret #2

Secret #2
Determine what is expected

Secret #2
Specifications Details
Assignment type
Due date
Weighting
Word length
Purpose
Intended audience
Referencing style and
minimum numbers
Writing style and formatting
Additional notes

Secret #2
Specifications Details
Assignment type Essay
Due date
Weighting
Word length
Purpose
Intended audience
Referencing style and
minimum numbers
Writing style and formatting
Additional notes

Secret #2
An essay
A student essay at university is an extended piece of writing which presents an
argument based on current research. Essays allow students the opportunity to
demonstrate understanding of the material they have been taught. They require
the ability to see relationships between concepts and to impose a logical structure
on material gathered from a range of different sources.
https://www.usq.edu.au/learningcentre

Secret #2
Essay
 Has a central argument
 Argument is based on current research
 Evidence gathered from a range of different sources
(multiple journal articles are cited throughout the essay, and
sometimes many at a time)
 Demonstrate understanding of the material
 Show relationships between concepts
 Use standard essay structure

Secret #2
Marking guide/rubric
Used by your examiners and markers when
grading your assignment.

Secret #2
Unpack the assignment question

Secret #2
1. What are the key terms of the question?
2. Are there any directive terms or limiting terms in the
question?

Secret #2
1. What are the key terms of the question?
2. Are there any directive terms or limiting terms in the
question?
Example essay question:
What are the strongest predictors of
academic success at university?

Secret #2
Rewrite the assignment task in your own words…

Secret #2
Rewrite the assignment task in your own words…
What specific factors contribute the most to
students’ final grades at university?

Secret #3

Secret #3
Know why you’re doing it!

Secret #3
Know why you’re doing it!
Course objectives
Access these from studydesk or USQ Handbook

Secret #4

Secret #4
Create a backward plan

Secret #4
1. Break the assignment down in to smaller steps
2. Assign mini-deadlines to each step

Secret #4
Task Due date

Secret #4
Task Due date
Unpacking task and making checklist

Secret #4
Task Due date
Gathering journal articles

Secret #4
Task Due date
Reading and notetaking

Secret #4
Task Due date
Brainstorming/mindmapping

Secret #4
Task Due date
Create paragraph plan for essay

Secret #4
Task Due date
Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
Introduction and conclusion

Secret #4
Task Due date
Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
First draft
Second draft
Final draft

Secret #4
Task Due date
Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
First draft
Second draft
Final draft
Proofreading

Secret #4
Task Due date
Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
First draft
Second draft
Final draft
Proofreading
Submit online

Secret #4
Task Due date
Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
First draft
Second draft
Final draft
Proofreading
Submit online
Actual due date 30 June

Secret #4
Task Due date
Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
First draft
Second draft
Final draft
Proofreading
Submit online 29 June

Secret #4
Task Due date
Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
First draft
Second draft
Final draft
Proofreading 27 June

Secret #4
Task Due date
Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
First draft 20 June
Second draft 24 June
Final draft 26 June

Secret #4
Task Due date
Body paragraph 1 13 June
Introduction and conclusion 19 June
First draft 20 June
Final draft 26 June

Secret #4
Task Due date
Create paragraph plan for essay 11 June
First draft 20 June
Final draft 26 June

Secret #4
Task Due date
Brainstorming/mindmapping 10 June
First draft 20 June
Final draft 26 June

Secret #4
Task Due date
Reading and notetaking 9 June
First draft 20 June
Final draft 26 June

Secret #4
Task Due date
Gathering journal articles 4 June
First draft 20 June
Final draft 26 June

Secret #4
Task Due date
Unpacking task and making checklist 1 June
Gathering journal articles 4 June
First draft 20 June
Final draft 26 June

Secret #5

Secret #5
Use reputable sources

Poll time
Question: Which of the following are reputable
sources of information?
A. University databases
B. Google scholar
C. Government websites
D. University websites
E. All of the above

Secret #6

Secret #6
Take notes strategically

One strategy to try
1. Write/type reference out in full APA style
Secret #6

One strategy to try
2. Add your notes directly below
 Use quotation marks to directly record key
ideas/sentences.
 Under quotes, rewrite each idea/sentence in your own
words
Secret #6

One strategy to try
ideas/sentences.
words
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each paper
Secret #6

One strategy to try
ideas/sentences.
words
4. As you make notes for each paper, use highlighters
 One colour to show agreements between papers
 Different colour to show disagreements
Secret #6

One strategy to try
ideas/sentences.
words
4. As you make notes for each paper, use highlighters
 One colour to show agreements between papers
 Different colour to show disagreements
Compose a series of
questions that your
notes will answer as
you go
Secret #6

Using questions to take notes and guide writing
This helps to guide your reading
This ensures you gather necessary evidence.
This helps you to write better, more targeted sentences.
Secret #6

Poll time
Question: When should you use a direct quote?
A. When I find a credible sentence or idea that will
be important for my assignment
B. Only when I find a statement that is unable to be
paraphrased
C. I’m not sure

Secret #7
Avoid overusing direct quotes

Secret #8
Assignments are meant to
challenge you

 Reflecting on your assignment grade and feedback
is an essential part of building your knowledge
and improving your skills
 Make a promise to yourself to review your
feedback by a certain date
 Stay positive
Secret #9
Feedback is your friend

→ Create 2 lists
Things I did very well Things I need to work
on for next time
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Secret #9

→ Create 2 lists
Things I did very well Things I need to work
on for next time
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Add these to your next
assignment’s checklist
Secret #9

FIXED MINDSET
Intelligence does not change
Gives up when difficult
Sees effort as waste of time
Ignores criticism
(Dweck, 2008)
GROWTH MINDSET
Intelligence is developed
Persists when difficult
Sees effort at essential
Learns from criticism
Secret #9

Question: which mindset do you currently think
you are applying to your university studies?
A. Growth mindset
B. Fixed mindset
(Dweck, 2008)
Poll time

Mastery takes time

Secret #10
There is no shame in asking
for help

Help is available at every step
of the way!
Help yourself - online resources
 Study desk
 Links provided by your Examiner within task
 USQ website (search “The Learning Centre”)
 Academic Success Planner

Help is available at every step
of the way!
 Examiners / Tutors
 Meet Up Leaders / Meet Up Student Community
 Learning Advisors
 Liaison Librarians
 SROs
 Counsellors
 Welfare Officers
 Peers

Session objectives
 Know the 10 secrets to assignment success
1. Do things in the right order
2. Determine what is expected
3. Know why you’re doing it
4. Create a backward plan
5. Use reputable sources
6. Take notes strategically
7. Avoid overusing direct quotes
8. Assignments are meant to challenge you
9. Feedback is your friend
10. There is no shame in asking for help 
 Feel excited and confident about tackling your next
assignment

The secret to assignment success

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