How to write an assignment

TECHNICAL
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1 Table of contents

The Table of Contents (as in the case of the REFERENCES) is written on a separate page and is
not considered part of the prescribed length of the assignment. If for example, the prescribed
length is 6 pages, the Table of Contents will be an additional page. It is important to ensure that
each heading from the introduction onwards as well as all other sub-headings are numbered
consecutively. It should be in Block Format, see example below.

Table of Contents

Page

1 Introduction 1

2 Secondary school geography curriculum 1

2.1 Addressing the relevancy issue in general 2

2.2 The relevancy of the current geography curriculum 2
2.3 Contents of the current curriculum a synoptic approach 3
2.4 Teachers’ views of the situation 3

3 Improvement on secondary school geography curriculum 4

3.1 Geography teachers’ perception 4

3.2 Teacher application of the inquiry teaching methods 5
3.3 Geography learners’ perception 5

4 Conclusion 6

5 References 7
How to write an assignment

Points to remember:
 Main headings should focus on major issues as implied by the title of the assignment.

 Sub-headings reflect other more specific issues, but they should nevertheless relate to the
main heading.

 Skip a line before and after each main heading, but NOT between consecutive sub-
headings (see the Table of Contents above i.e. 1 and 2 are main headings and 2.1 and 2.2
are subheadings).

 Do not underline any heading.

 Page numbers should be on the right-hand side of the page (only mention 1st page number :
see the Table of Contents under Page).

2 Introduction

The contents of the assignment should start with a brief introduction. It should clearly reveal the
purpose of the assignment. What is the assignment all about? Furthermore, it should not have a
direct quotation.

3 Main text

The main text usually consists of a number of headings and if required or feasible, sub-headings
under one or more of the main headings. The paragraphs under these various headings should link
up with one another. What this implies is that the description should read like a continuous story
(the `Golden Thread') with each succeeding paragraph related to the previous one.

In writing the assignment one must at all times acknowledge the sources of information. Where
applicable, this should be done after each paragraph. One may acknowledge the source by
starting with the information and end with the source or vice-versa. For example the
acknowledgement of a source could be done in the following way:

 Educational management, therefore includes such issues as group dynamics, group morale
and good human relations (Brazelle, 1983: 6).
How to write an assignment

or
 Brazelle (1983: 6) points out that educational management, therefore includes such issues
as group dynamics, group morale and good human relations.

This means that the information is found on page 6 in a book written by Brazelle, and published in
1983. Do not give a verbatim account of literature consulted paragraph after paragraph; rather read
and study the information thoroughly and reproduce in your own words.

Points to remember:
 Number the pages, starting with page 1 on the page which the introduction appears.

 Skip a line before and after each main heading, but not between consecutive sub-headings.

 Do not underline main or sub-headings.

 Skip a line between consecutive paragraphs. Paragraphs should not exceed half a page.

 Do not start with a paragraph heading at the bottom of a previous page; rather start on a
next page.

 Sentences should be short and to the point.

 Only write on the one side of a page, like in this guideline.

 Main headings and sub-headings in the text should correspond with the information in the
Table of Contents.

4 References
All the sources consulted and referenced in the body of the assignment must be included in the
REFERENCES on a new page. These sources must be alphabetically arranged according to the
surnames of the authors as listed in their respective books. If sources were consulted with the same
surname, then the initials of the authors concerned must be taken into consideration in order to keep
the references in alphabetical. If it happens that a person consulted more than one book of the
same author, then they must be listed alphabetically according to the publication year. It is
furthermore important to note that sources stated in the references must not be numbered. The
following examples should serve as a pointer on how the bibliography must be set out.
How to write an assignment

et al. is not written in the bibliography. Write the surnames of all the authors of a source even when
they are more than two.
How to write an assignment

REFERENCES

Beukes J.H. 1988. Factors That Influence the Demand for Technikon Education. Journal of
Pedagogics, 9(3) : 17-26.

Bortner M.A. 1988. Delinquency and Justice: An Age of Crisis. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Dryfoos J.G. 1990. Adolescents at Risk: Prevalence and Prevention. New York: Oxford University
Press.

Mminele S.P.P. 1979. The Teacher's Basic Tasks and EffectiveTeaching Methods that Go with
them. Educamus, 25(2):36-39.

Points to Remember:

 Arrange sources in alphabetical order.

 Do not number the sources.

 Do not include sources that are not reflected in the main text.

 Include all sources that are reflected in the main text.