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PMG3A Guidelines For Assignments

The document provides guidelines for writing an assignment on parliamentary oversight over policymaking and implementation through committees. It instructs students to [1] carefully read and understand the assignment topic and instructions, [2] extensively research the topic from various sources beyond just the provided handbook, and [3] properly structure and format the assignment according to the specified requirements, such as length, font, spacing, and submitting through Turnitin to check for plagiarism. The guidelines emphasize analyzing and discussing the topic instead of just listing information, and properly citing all sources using the Harvard referencing style.

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76 views21 pages

PMG3A Guidelines For Assignments

The document provides guidelines for writing an assignment on parliamentary oversight over policymaking and implementation through committees. It instructs students to [1] carefully read and understand the assignment topic and instructions, [2] extensively research the topic from various sources beyond just the provided handbook, and [3] properly structure and format the assignment according to the specified requirements, such as length, font, spacing, and submitting through Turnitin to check for plagiarism. The guidelines emphasize analyzing and discussing the topic instead of just listing information, and properly citing all sources using the Harvard referencing style.

Uploaded by

miracle
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Guidelines for assignments

ASSIGNMENT TOPIC

PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT OVER POLICYMAKING AND POLICY


IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES
STARTING THE ASSIGNMENT

When you read the topic, the most important step is to make sure that you fully
understand it. Establish exactly what is expected by highlighting the key words
in the title.
The next step is to read up on the topic as an assignment can only be
undertaken by reading extensively on the topic. Begin by reading the relevant
sections in the Internal Handbook but remember that the Handbook cannot be
the main or only source of information. Consulting other sources will give more
and different insights in the matter.
Use journal articles whenever possible, as they usually have the newest
information on the topic and can help you to find other sources. Ask the officials
in the Library to help.
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

• Type your assignment on a Word document. Use the title


page/template as found in the Learning Guide.
• Your assignment needs to be 10- 12 pages, 1.5 line spacing and
Arial 12 font size.
• The number of pages excludes the title page, table of
contents and bibliography.
• The title, table of contents are numbered in Roman
numbers eg I, ii etc.
• The total marks will be 100 and constitutes 40% of the
semester mark.
TURNITIN RULES
• THIS ASSIGNMENT HAS TO BE SUBMITTED THROUGH TURNITIN TO
CHECK FOR TEXTMATCHING/PLAGIARISM. ONCE YOU HAVE SUBMITTED,
A REPORT WILL BE GENERATED INDICATING A PERCENTAGE OF TEXT-
MATCHING/PLAGIARISM.
• THE REPORT INDICATES WHERE YOU NEED TO REPHRASE ETC. YOUR
ASSIGNMENT - IF THE PERCENTAGE IS HIGHER THAN 12%
• ONCE YOU HAVE REWORKED THE ASSIGNMENT, SUBMIT A HARD COPY
AT THE SCHOOL’S OFFICES IN C RING ON THE DUE DATE BETWEEN 9:00
AND 13:00.

• ATTACH THE REPORT (NOT THE NOTICE THAT THE ASSIGNMENT WAS
SUBMITTED TO TURNITIN) TO THE ASSIGNMENT
SIMILARITIES SHOWN BY
TURNITIN

• Turnitin may show similarities in terms used in the title, table of


contents and text which may affect the similarity percentage. You can
ignore this but take note where plagiarism of whole sentences and
paragraphs is shown.
GUIDELINES FOR ASSIGNMENT

1 Study the Departmental Guidelines for the technical requirements of assignments and
make sure that your assignment complies with all the requirements. On third year
level you lose marks because of poor technical quality. Consult the tutor if you are
unsure.
2 The Guide should not be the only or main source of information. Visit the Library and
ask the assistants for help, especially with regard to journals in the field. Do not rely
solely on the internet.
3 DO NOT COPY SOURCES WORD FOR WORD. In the exams you do not have the
sources to copy from. The assignment is an opportunity to make sure that you
understand the contents correctly.
4 Do not merely fill the pages with information from sources. You must process the
information to analyse the topic as outlined in the introduction. Do not leave it to the
reader to find the answer by reading between the lines.
5 You have 10 -12 pages to discuss the topic- use it.
GUIDELINES FOR ASSIGNMENT
1. READ THE ASSIGNMENT TOPIC AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
• Before you start writing the assignment, read through the title and
instructions carefully and make sure that you know what the focus is and
exactly what should be done. On p. 32 of the Learner Guide is a list of
action verbs to show you exactly what you are expected to do.
• 
1. FRAMEWORK FOR ANSWER
• Before starting the analysis of the topic, compile a framework with the
important aspects that have to be covered in the answer. Use the
subheadings to organize your answer.
TITLE PAGE AND TABLE OF
CONTENTS
The title page comes before the table of contents and is written in capital
letters. Do not change the wording of the assignment topic to suit the
research you have done.
INTRODUCTION
The essay starts with an introduction that explains the problem or issue
under consideration, with the title as a point of reference and contains the
main topics under consideration. The author sets a clear objective, and the
reader is given an indication of what to expect in the article.
1. When you have done the research on the topic, formulate two or three
questions or aspects that will be concentrated on in the discussion of
the topic eg
• Are the parliamentary committees effective in fulfilling the role of
oversight and is the way they function contributing to all the
dimensions of accountability?
• Which factors enable them to fulfill the role and which factors
inhibit their ability to be effective overseers of the executive?
INTRODUCTION
2. The introduction explains to the reader how the contents of the paper is arranged to
analyse the problem or focus of the discussion.
3. The introduction usually consists of 100-150 words without source references.
EXAMPLE
In South Africa, many policies have been developed to improve the quality of life of South
Africans, but the challenges of policy implementation resulted in a big difference between
the original goals of the policy expressed by the legislators and the impact and results
achieved by the way the executive implemented the policy.
This paper deals with the control Parliament has over the process by looking at……

DO NOT COPY THIS INTRODUCTION IN YOUR ASSIGNMENT!!!


DEFINING CONCEPTS

Certain concepts, terms and definitions apply to any


subject or course. It is important to know exactly what
these concepts refer to, what they mean and how they
will be used in the assignment. Define the concepts
used in the assignment, using a dictionary for the Social
Sciences, especially dictionaries for Political Science,
Public Administration and Policy Studies.
SUBHEADINGS IN THE
ASSIGNMENT
After the introduction and definition of terms the topic is analysed
under appropriate subheadings , keeping the objective stated in
the introduction in mind. Sections should form a logical whole,
following a clear line of analysing the topic.

“Body” is not a subheading!


STYLE OF WRITING
 Write full sentences, not telegram style, or bullet lists. The assignment
clearly requires a discussion of the topic, not a list of aspects that may be
relevant.
 Keep the sentences short and to the point. Do not leave it to the reader to
read between the lines to guess what you meant.
 Use plain but grammatically correct language. Avoid vague statements, long
elaborate sentences and phrases like “moreover”, “however” and “on the
one hand (unless you state clearly what is “on the other hand” when
similarities and differences between matters are analysed).
 In an academic paper nothing is “blatantly clear” or “goes without saying”
 Avoid using the first person “I” and “We”
 Do not repeat facts, statements, or arguments in different paragraphs
 An assignment is not a list of information, starting every sentence and
paragraph with “According to Smith and Johnson (1989:4). You must
process the information and use it in your own words to analyse the topic.
 The contents of the assignment, from the introduction to the conclusion
must be typed continuously. Do not leave large open spaces between
sections.
 Proofread the final document carefully before submitting it for assessment.
Make sure that it complies with all the technical requirements.
• 
SOURCE REFERENCES
• Every statement, fact or argument must be substantiated with a
reference to the source from where the information was obtained. All
direct and indirect (paraphrased ) information gained from sources
must be acknowledged.
• Use the simple Harvard format for in-text references. The reference
can be at the end of a sentence (Coetzee 1988:7), or in the middle
such as “Coetzee (1988:7) defines….” Note the punctuation.
PRACTICAL EXAMPLES
• Use practical examples to substantiate and illustrate statements, facts
and arguments. Use real examples from the public sector.
• It is not enough to make a statement and then end the argument with
“for instance…..” Do not leave it to the reader to make the connection
between what is said and the example. Explain clearly how the
example illustrates the point made.
• It will be easier if a particular policy area or policy problem is chosen
and its progress through the different committees followed. Do not
discuss the contents of the particular policy issue, but focus on how it
was handled by the different committees.
PARAPHRASING

Paraphrasing does not mean that key terms are replaced with
synonyms found in ordinary dictionaries. If the original sentence
mentioned that “The Board accepted the policy guidelines” the
term “Board” cannot be replaced with “Panel” because the term
in the original sentence referred to a specific institution.
Remember that different states have institutions with the same
title. Do not confuse a committee of the Legislator in the USA or
the President of the USA with Parliamentary committees and the
President in the RSA.
CONCLUSION
1.The conclusion is an indication of the quality of the analysis of the topic in
the assignment. It is thus not enough to conclude that “In this paper ……
was discussed”. Read the introduction again. Can you make valid
conclusions about the aspects of the topic mentioned in the introduction and
discussed in the assignment? If the findings and conclusions were already
set out in the assignment, the final section is a summary of the assignment.
1. 2. You cannot make a conclusion about a matter not discussed in the
assignment.
3 A conclusion may not consist of a long or short quotation from someone
else’s work.
4 The conclusion could be 150-250 words in length.
5 It is not written on a separate page.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

 At least 10 sources should be consulted (remember the limit on


the number of internet sources).
 Do not include sources in the bibliography that have not been
referred to in the assignment.
 Make sure that the different kinds of sources are referred to
correctly. (See Learning Guide)
CONTENTS OF ASSIGNMENT
The analysis of the topic should include a discussion of the
following aspects:
1 Oversight and accountability (eg types and dimensions of
accountability).
2 Parliament’s oversight function as a central tenet of the
Constitution.
3 Different kinds of committees and how their functions contribute
to effective oversight.
4 Factors that contribute and limit the effectiveness of oversight by
these committees.

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