ASSIGNMENT

WRITING
 WRITING – WHY SO
DIFFICULT?
 There is no one best way to write!
Individuals adopt very different
approaches depending on
psychological preferences e.g.
 ‘Skeleton’ structure, than ‘hang’

key words/authors on it
 Ideas map (‘spider’s web’)

 Free-form/stream of

consciousness, then edit

WRITING SKILLS - How to
improve them
When you write, consider the
following:
 Who is the audience?
 What format is required – essay or
report or reflection on experience?
 Academic styles of writing – writing in
a logical and `objective’ way Vs.
writing from personal experience
 Academic conventions – referencing
and plagiarism
 ESSAY STRUCTURE
1. Cover page
2. Introduction
• captures topic, problem statement,
hypothesis, assumptions etc.
3. Main body
• Each subsection is divided into
paragraphs
4. Summary/conclusion
• summary of main findings
• recommendations
5. References list
FORMATTING
 Essay should be well organised
 Meet the basics:
 12 point font
 Times New Roman
 Arial
 2.5cm margins
 Page numbers
 Cover page
 Sequentially numbered and titled
chapters, sections and sub-sections
headings
 Well presented references
ESSAY WRITING
 Essay writing is meant to test
many facets of the student in
terms of the following:
 how widely read they are, and
 how they can apply the
knowledge they have acquired
to varied situations, to show
their academic resilience and
their ability to solve problems
STEPS IN WRITING

 Preparation and
planning
 Drafting
 Re-drafting and polishing
 Editing and proofreading
 Reflecting on feedback
Preparation and planning
 Read the Assignment Question Thoroughly, and
break it down into researchable components. Identify
Keywords
 Plan Your Research: Now that you have a clear
breakdown of the assignment question and sub-questions,
create a research plan. Consider the following:
 Information Sources: Decide where you'll find the necessary
information (e.g., library resources, online databases, websites,
books).
 Search Strategies: Develop search strategies using the
keywords you identified earlier.
 Time Management: Allocate time for each sub-question and
research phase.
 Gather Information: Begin your research, collecting data
and information to address each sub-question.
 Synthesize and Organize: As you gather information,
organize it according to the sub-questions. Note the sources
and relevant citations.
DRAFTING
 Purpose: In this stage, you start writing the
initial version of your assignment.
 Tasks:
 Begin with an outline or a structured plan that
includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a
conclusion.
 Write a rough draft while keeping your research
and notes handy.
 Focus on getting your ideas down on paper without
worrying too much about perfect grammar or style.
 Cite your sources as you go, following the required
citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).
 Make sure to maintain coherence and logical flow
in your writing.
RE-DRAFTING AND POLISHING

 Purpose: After the initial draft, you refine and

improve the content, structure, and language of
your assignment.
 Tasks:
 Review and revise your rough draft, paying attention to
clarity, organization, and argument development.
 Check for logical transitions between paragraphs and
sections.
 Clarify and expand on any ideas that may be unclear or
underdeveloped.
 Eliminate redundancy and ensure conciseness.
 Polish your writing for style, tone, and vocabulary.
 Ensure that your assignment addresses all components
of the assignment question and adheres to formatting
guidelines.
EDITING AND PROOFREADING

 Purpose: This stage focuses on eliminating

errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and
formatting.
 Tasks:
 Carefully edit and proofread your assignment for
mechanical errors and typos.
 Check sentence structure, grammar, and
punctuation.
 Verify that your citations are correct and properly
formatted.
 Ensure consistency in formatting (e.g., font,
margins, headings) throughout your document.
 Consider using proofreading tools and seeking
assistance from peers or tutors.
REFLECTING ON FEEDBACK

 Purpose: After submitting your

assignment or receiving feedback, take
time to reflect on your work and learn
from the experience.
 Tasks:
 Review the feedback provided by your
instructor or peers.
 Consider how you can apply this feedback
to improve your writing skills.
 Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of
your assignment.
 Identify areas for growth and development
in future assignments.
HOW TO ANSWER
ASSIGNMENT/EXAM QUESTIONS
 Breakdown the assignment
question to identify key words
and phrases in the topic

 Key words are the words in an

assignment question that tell
you the approaches to take
when you answer.
HOW TO UNDERSTAND AN
ESSAY QUESTION
Task
Word
Conten
s t Limitin
g
Words Words
–
TASK WORDS
 Task words Verbs that direct
you and tell you how to go about
answering a question.
Understanding the meaning helps
you to know exactly what you
have to do
 Eg, critically analyse, argue,
explain, discuss, compare and
contrast, describe, investigate,
summarise etc
CONTENT WORDS
 Tell you what the topic area(s) of
your assignment are and take
you halfway towards narrowing
down your material and
selecting your answer.
 Content words help you to focus
your research and reading on
the correct area.
LIMITING WORDS
 Make a broad topic workable.
They focus the topic area
further by indicating aspects
you should narrowly
concentrate on.
EXAMPLE
 [Discuss] [the effects of external debt
on the economic development] of
[ African countries]

 Task word content words limiting

word
BREAKING DOWN THE
ASSIGNMENT QUESTION
 1. DISCUSS This means to investigate
or examine by argument. Examine
key points and possible
interpretations and debate, giving
reasons for and against. Draw a
conclusion.
 2. what are the effects of external
debt on the economic development
 3. in your limitation, restrict your
discussion by narrowing it down on
African countries economic
development
CLASS EXERCISE
 Cooking shows, such as Master
Chef, kupikila re-loaded, sylver
catering and My Kitchen Rules,
have had a significant impact on
the Zambian food culture.
Identify and discuss the more
notable changes that the show
has made to the eating, cooking
and shopping habits of
Zambians.
 Task words
 Content words
 Limiting words
 ESSAY STRUCTURE
1. Cover page
2. Introduction
• captures topic, problem statement,
hypothesis, assumptions etc.
3. Main body
• Each subsection is divided into
paragraphs
4. Summary/conclusion
• summary of main findings
• recommendations
5. References list
INTRODUCTION
 Start with a Hook.
 Provide Context: Give a brief
background
 Thesis Statement or Controlling
Idea: Controlling argument is
(Assignment/thesis statement).
 Outline the Structure: What issues
you will cover (and in which order)
 HIT Hook, Introduce the
topic, Tell the reader your
assignment statement
 Start with a Hook: Begin
the introduction with a hook
to grab the reader's
attention. This can be a
compelling fact, a
provocative question, a
relevant quote, or a brief
anecdote. The hook should
be related to the topic of the
 Provide Context: After the
hook, provide some
background or context for
your paragraph's topic.
Explain why the topic is
important or relevant in the
broader context of your
essay or research paper
 Thesis Statement or
Controlling Idea: State your
thesis statement or the
controlling idea of the
paragraph. This is a concise
sentence that summarizes the
main point you will be discussing
in the paragraph. It should be
clear and specific.
 Outline the Structure:
Give the reader a brief
overview of how the
paragraph is structured.
Mention the key points or
subtopics you will be
addressing in support of your
thesis statement.
ASSIGNMENT STATEMENT
 This essay will discuss in
detail the effects of external
debt on the economic
development of African
countries
MAIN BODY OF THE
ASSIGNMENT
 Should contain a logical
development of the argument.
 The first paragraph of the main
body should contain the definition
of key terms in the assignment
 Write to a predetermined plan and
structure.
 Gradually build up your case
(citations).
 Keep your focus on the problem;
don’t get side tracked.
 Be critical and analytical in your
approach.
 The main body of the
assignment is comprised of body
paragraphs that may vary
depending on the length of the
assignment.
 Each of the body paragraph
should begin with a topic
sentence and then followed by
supporting sentences
 A body paragraph is a group of
related sentences about a
particular topic or idea directly
relating to the
 Transition sentences are the
key elements for writing an
assignment because they
link different ideas
altogether.
CONCLUSION
 The conclusion is to restate what has
been argued in the body of the essay; it
is a wrap-up of the main points or
arguments of your essay.
 However, there are other possibilities
when writing a conclusion. E.G choose
to: • discuss your opinions, suggest
other approaches that could be adopted
in investigating the question
 make a prediction about what will
happen to the phenomenon under
investigation.
 Restate the Thesis
 Summarize Key Points
 Writer’s thoughts and
analysis
 Analysis: Emphasize the
Importance of the
content
 Closing Thought
PARAGRAPHS
 A paragraph contains facts,
statements, examples-
specifics which guide us to a
full understanding of the
main idea.
PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE
 Topic sentence
 Supporting sentences
 Concluding sentences
PARAGRAPH TRANSITION
 Paragraphs Are Unified by a
Single Purpose or Theme
 Transition Words: lead the
reader to relationships between
your ideas, especially for a
change of ideas.
 Some examples of transition
words : additionally,
furthermore, moreover, similarly
etc
EFFECTIVE PARAGRAPHS

 An effective parapraph contains:

 a topic sentence that states the main
point of the paragraph
 supporting sentences with details and
specific examples as proof of your point
 logical, coherent thoughts that are
developed in order from one sentence to
the next
 a concluding idea that wraps up the
point of the paragraph
ORGANISATION OF THE
PARAGRAPH
 Topic sentence: At the beginning
of each supporting paragraph,
start with a topic sentence.
 This is a way to introduce the
ideas that you’re going to discuss
in that paragraph.
 You can elevate your topic
sentence by using a transition
word or phrase to show that you’re
switching to a new idea
SOURCES OF TOPIC
SENTENCE
 1. author’s idea
 2. information from various
sources: from books, articles,
reports, etc
EFFECTIVE TOPIC SENTENCES

 informs the reader of the subject

that will be discussed in the
paragraph
 asserts the writer’s point of view
or attitude
 plots the reader to continue
reading
 Creates a sense of action
SUPPORTING DETAILS
 They come after the topic
sentence, making up the body of
a paragraph.
 They give details to develop
and support the main idea of
the paragraph.
 You should:
give supporting facts, details,
and examples
DETERMINING
SUPPORTING DETAILS
 Decide which details help to
further the story line.
 Decide which details help
you to understand the main
idea.
 Answer question raised by
the main idea (who, what
when, why or how)
TYPES OF SUPPORTING
MATERIALS
 Comparisons
 Differences
 Statistics:75 percent of the…….
 Graphics: Figure 9-1 is one type of graph
 Quotations/citations: from authorities
 Examples
 Descriptions
SUPPORTING SENTENCES: GIVE EVIDENCE

 Now you can support your point with

evidence and examples.
 types of evidence used in academic
writing include:
 Quotations from both primary and
secondary sources
 Descriptive examples of s, events, or
first-hand experiences etc
 Corperate social responsibility can
generate a positive reputation for a
company leading to possibly more sales
and growth. According to Jone et al
(2019), a corperation that invests in
environmental and ethical
CONCLUDING SENTENCE/S
 Have three crucial roles
in paragraph writing.
 They draw together the information you
have presented to elaborate your
controlling idea by:
 summarising the points you have
made.
 Qualify information by repeating words
or phrases (or synonyms for them)
from the topic sentence.
 Linking the current paragraph to the
next paragraph
PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE
 The scourge of child sexual abuse has been on the
increase world over, Zambia inclusive with millions
of children being sexually abused every yea. Haj-
Yahi and Tamish (2001) have acknowledged the
occurrence of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) as a
worldwide problem. Cabinet Office (2011) & World
Health Organisation (2010) have reported a
significant increase of CSA cases worldwide.
Finkelhor (1994) reports that, studies from a
number of countries suggest that, child sexual
abuse is indeed an international problem. In areas
where it has been investigated, researchers have
demonstrated its existence at levels high enough
to be detected. Thus, child sexual abuse is a
global problem.
EXAMPLES OF TOPIC
SENTENCES
 Topic Sentence: To be an effective CEO
requires certain characteristics.
 The topic is "To be an effective CEO" and
the controlling idea is "certain
characteristics."
 Topic Sentence: There are many
possible contributing factors to global
warming.
 The topic is "global warming" and the
controlling idea is "contributing factors."
 Topic sentence: In recent years,
Zambia has recorded an increase in
 Topic sentence Supporting materials

 Paragraph 1: To be an effective CEO requires

certain characteristics. According to Johnson
(2020), successful CEOs possess a unique
combination of leadership skills, adaptability, and
strategic thinking. These characteristics enable
them to navigate complex business environments
and drive their organizations towards growth and
sustainability. Additionally, effective CEOs are
known for their ability to inspire and motivate
their teams, fostering a culture of innovation and
excellence within their companies. In essence, the
presence of these specific traits is essential for
individuals aspiring to excel in the role of a CEO.
Concluding sentence
PARAGRAPH 2:
 There are many possible contributing factors to
global warming. One of the primary factors
identified by climate scientists is the increase in
greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon
dioxide and methane (Smith & Brown, 2019).
These emissions result from human activities such
as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and
industrial processes. Additionally, the loss of
natural carbon sinks like forests and wetlands
exacerbates the problem (Jones, 2021).
Furthermore, changing weather patterns and rising
global temperatures are interconnected
consequences of these contributing factors. In
addressing global warming, it is crucial to
understand and mitigate these various elements.
PARAGRAPH 3
 In recent years, Zambia has recorded an increase
in reported cases of corruption. Transparency
International's Corruption Perceptions Index (2022)
ranked Zambia lower than in previous years,
highlighting a concerning trend. Contributing
factors to this rise in corruption include weak law
enforcement, lack of transparency in government
operations, and economic challenges (Mwamba,
2021). To combat this issue effectively, Zambia
must implement comprehensive anti-corruption
measures and foster a culture of accountability and
transparency within its institutions. Addressing
these contributing factors is essential to reversing
the trend of increasing corruption in the country.
TUTORIAL QUESTION
 Identify and explain 10 major
weaknesses commonly found
in academic paragraphs
POINTS TO REMEMBER
 Help your readers
understand why you ordered the
ideas the way that you did.
 How does your first body
paragraph relate to the second
paragraph?
 Don’t make your reader guess
what you’re thinking; state your
ideas, and let the reader know
how those ideas relate.
 TYPES OF ESSAY S
1. Descriptive essay
• describe events, people, places & things
• written in present tense
2. Narrative essay
• tell about things which happened in the past
• Written in past tense
3. Composition or expository essay
• explains a phenomenon or how to do something
• requires technical knowledge
4. Argumentative essay
• debates issues by giving arguments for and
against or the pros and cons
 What Makes A Good Essay?

 Good structure: clear

introduction, well crafted middle,
clear and appropriate conclusion
 Clear argument: progression
through ideas with clear signposting
 Well supported by relevant
evidence
What Makes A Good Essay?

 Well written: grammatical;

correct spelling and
punctuation; good sentence
structure, paragraphing and
use of linking words and
phrases
 Fully referenced using
Harvard or appropriate system
 DOS & DONTS

DOS
 Prepare well in advance
 Write a first draft, leave and come
back to it later
 Keep your focus on the question
 Edit carefully for sense, spelling,
grammar and punctuation
 DOS & DONTS

DON’TS
 Write all you know about a topic

 Leave till the last minute

QUESTIONS???

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