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Unlock the Best Tips to Write Good Assignments

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Assignments can turn out to be a living nightmare if you fail to develop a unique topic, acquire the right insights, and create a strong outline. Written assignments come in different shapes and forms. From essays to case studies and dissertations to coursework – the list continues.

While working on academic assignments isn’t a new drill for students, landing a perfectly flawless paper might take a toll on them. If especially, they are exposed to the odds of:

• Unclear Topics
• Convoluted References
• Lack of Strong Examples
• Narrow Research Avenues
• Stringent Deadlines and the like …

Each of these roadblocks might make you feel apprehensive, but we surely know how to keep such apprehensions completely to rest. Already eager to figure out the bigger picture? How about investing some time in reading this blog?

Here you go!

A. Plan Research. Execute

Execution without planning and research is simply a waste of time and effort. No matter how the assignment is – easy or tough, simple or complex, drab or interesting; never proceed without proper planning and research.

Here’s how.

• First, familiarize yourself with the assignment topic well.
• Make sure you are well aware of the primary context.
• Now, examine the possible research slants you can take.
• Read about the subject well and formulate strong research questions.
• Find relevant sources, read them, take notes, and create citations.

Most importantly, you must know what you intend to do or the purpose you wish to serve through the assignment. Once you have a clear roadmap, determining a seamless academic journey after that shall no longer be a tough nut to crack. Hold on! We have more to it than what we have discussed so far.

B. Ensure Smooth Transitions

Well, this is as important as anything. Coming up with an engaging hook and landing well-structured body paragraphs and concluding notes might be the quintessential elements of a successful assignment. But all your hard work will simply go down the drain if the paragraphs don’t flow smoothly.

So, heed the suggestions mentioned above and explore this lesser-known facet of flawlessly crafted assignments.

• Devote your body paragraphs to the main concept
• Make sure it fits into the larger piece and broader facet
• A transition sentence must link your 1st paragraph to 2nd paragraph and so on.
• Use transition words to build momentum and help readers track your ideas.
• Have an eye on the overall arc of your paper while using transitions.
• Using words like “therefore,” “namely,” “although,” and “nevertheless” can help you sum up ideas better.

Simply keep these points in mind, implement the right strategy, and never miss out on landing a well-researched and rationally enriched paper at the end of the day.

C. Say What & Define Who

The what’s and the who’s are the two quintessential elements one must consider when it comes to landing a good assignment. Here’s a brief overview of the essential components one must consider while going about this particular aspect.

Now that you are aware of the broader dimension in this context of the discussion lay a complete focus on the points mentioned above, and never look back.

D. Structure Your Sentences Well

“ The assignment talks about the unknown mysteries of the world .”

“ This paper unfolds an enigmatic journey to the Earth . ”

Which one sounds better? Let me feel safe to assume it’s the second one. It’s all about how you present certain things and in what ways. When it comes to assignment writing , sentence structure and the right choice of words play a crucial role. Talking of sentence structure, well, the written language tone varies across universities and other academic standards.  

While the university language is apparently more formal and technical, the tone we use to post on social media or during a casual conversation is often more fun and informal.

Also, at times, it is better to get the best of both worlds. You can keep the tone formal and embrace a conversational approach in order to cut down on monotony and connect with your readers better.

E. Understand the Nuances of Referencing

You have to take the aspect of referencing when it comes to ensuring flawless assignments. Using someone else’s ideas and words without proper attribution is a major breach of ethics. As a matter of fact, last year, Harvard University  faced mounting questions over possible plagiarism  in the doctoral dissertation of its president, Claudine Gay.  The work was tagged as a work of “ duplicative language without appropriate attribution .” Thus, it pretty much goes without saying that plagiarism crops up in various shapes and forms.

And even though it may appear to be accidental at times, an act of plagiarism is, after all, considered unethical, irrespective of all justifications. So, it’s always wiser to gain the right insights into citing sources and going about the various essentials of referencing styles and ideas prior to working on an academic paper. Well, here are a few suggestions for you to consider in this context.

• Check the style of referencing with your instructor before everything else.
• Read other works in your field to see what citation styles are used.
• Dive into the nitty-gritty of referencing and citation. ( For example , for a journal article, you must include the name of the journal in italics, along with the issue and page numbers. Include the database name, date, and URL if an article is accessed from a specific database )
• Most importantly, you must follow the correct order of referencing. ( The idea is to arrange your references by the first author’s name , followed by the second author, and so on. You can list references alphabetically if they have no author. )
• Also, you need to understand that references and the bibliography are not the same ! (In a bibliography , you list all the materials, resources, and elements you have used or consulted while preparing the paper, irrespective of whether you have cited them or not. In references , you list only the elements you have actually cited.)

So, keep these points in mind, use the right strategy that fits well with your academic work, and never miss out on determining academic excellence in its best form.

The Do’s & Don’ts of Academic Writing

All said and done, it’s time for a quick brushup. Many a time, students end up ruining an otherwise great academic paper simply because they failed to abide by the assignment do’s and don’ts. Not anymore! Take a look below and soar high in your academic pursuits.

To End With,

Now that you are aware of the bigger picture and what it takes to write an assignment par excellence, embrace the best practices and advance towards your academic goals. In case you need further assistance and insights, sign up with MyAssignmenthelp for personalized writing aid and guidance on the go. Our team of academic experts leaves no stone unturned to help students determine the right path to success and achievement.

 Frequently Asked Questions

• How to write a university assignment?

Here’s how you can excel in your next university paper.

• Lay a complete focus on the topic.
• The first page must include a running header.
• Refer to the right sample& examples for insights.
• If you have a doubt, clarify the task in the beginning.
• Cite each source in the right manner.
• Attain higher-level handwriting skills to boost your performance.
• Invest enough time in proofreading and editing the paper.
• Make sure the paper is completely plagiarism-free.
• How do I write a 10-page assignment?

Writing a 10-page assignment can be a tough drill if you fail to develop and follow a proper structure. Here’s what you must know.

• Come up with a strong outline & an engaging introduction.
• Set a personal deadline to stay on track.
• Conduct extensive research, keeping the word count in mind.
• Make sure the references you acquire are on point and relevant.
• Work on your assignment on a regular basis.
• What is the format of an assignment?

The formats of academic papers can vary by standards and courses. However, here are some surefire suggestions for college and university students.

• Typically, an assignment consists of five sections.
• These include a title page, introduction, body, conclusion, and reference list/bibliography.
• You must indent each paragraph and avoid making them too long.
• Use block quotations for the ones that are three lines long or more.
• Use a separate section/page for the bibliography.
• Use 1.5 or 2.0 line spacing for all academic papers.

Also, you may download the latest assignment template in PDF or other preferred versions and use it as your go-to resource for quick reference on the go.

• How to submit an assignment on time?

Deadline stringencies can get the better of you. Follow these surefire tips and never miss out on chasing narrow submission deadlines like a boss.

• Set deadlines for each objective and assign specific time slots.
• Make it a point to work on your assignment daily, without fail.
• Refer to a strong assignment example for students to pick ideas quickly.
• Break bigger chunks of the task into small, manageable parts.
• Write and revise the paper simultaneously to save time.

Hi, I am Mark, a Literature writer by profession. Fueled by a lifelong passion for Literature, story, and creative expression, I went on to get a PhD in creative writing. Over all these years, my passion has helped me manage a publication of my write ups in prominent websites and e-magazines. I have also been working part-time as a writing expert for myassignmenthelp.com for 5+ years now. It’s fun to guide students on academic write ups and bag those top grades like a pro. Apart from my professional life, I am a big-time foodie and travel enthusiast in my personal life. So, when I am not working, I am probably travelling places to try regional delicacies and sharing my experiences with people through my blog. 

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How to Start an Assignment

Last Updated: January 29, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Michelle Golden, PhD . Michelle Golden is an English teacher in Athens, Georgia. She received her MA in Language Arts Teacher Education in 2008 and received her PhD in English from Georgia State University in 2015. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 113,497 times.

Getting started on an assignment or homework can often times be the hardest step. Putting off the assignment can make the problem worse, reducing the time you have to complete the task and increasing stress. By learning how to get started and overcome the urge to procrastinate, you can get your assignments done on schedule and with less stress, opening up more free time.

Restructuring Your Assignment

• For example, you might research areas of a report that you find most interesting before moving on to other areas.
• If your math assignment has different types of questions, try doing those that you enjoy the most before moving on to the others.
• You might also try tackling smaller or easier tasks first so you can cross a few items off your list. Seeing that you've already made progress may help you feel motivated to continue.

• Promise yourself that you will meet your goal of working for five minutes on the assignment.
• Once you get started, you may find that you don't want to stop working. Otherwise, you can take a break and come back to the assignment, knowing you're at least five minutes closer to finishing than you were before.

• Try to set reasonable periods of time that you know you can meet. For example, you might set aside two hours on a Friday to dedicate to your assignment. If you don't have that much time all at once, try to carve out a few 20- or 30-minute blocks.
• You may or may not wish to continue working after your time limit has gone by.
• Have a realistic understanding of how fast you can write and plan your schedule accordingly.

• It can help to read the assignment as soon as you get it and then ask any questions you might have.
• If you're not sure if you understand the assignment, try rewriting it in your own words or explaining it to someone else. If you find you can't or have a lot of questions, you may need more information.
• You should have an overview of the assignment, understand the main task, and understand the technical and stylistic requirements.
• Look for important words in the instructions to understand the assignment. These words might include define, explain, compare, relate, or prove.
• Keep your audience in mind and write a paper that would best deliver information to them.

• Goals that are too big or not well defined can be difficult to start working towards.
• Smaller and well defined goals can seem easier to achieve than larger ones.
• For example, you could break a research paper down into several smaller tasks: 1) do preliminary research, 2) write an outline, 3) draft an introduction, 4) draft body paragraphs, 5) write conclusion, 6) revise. Each of these is much more do-able on its own.

Changing Your Focus

• You might want to go for a quick walk after working for a set amount of time.
• Try reading a website or book that you enjoy for a few minutes after working.
• Alternatively, try a quick burst of exercise before setting to work. Exercise releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins and can also help boost your memory. [8] X Research source

• Instead of dreading your work, focus on how good it will feel to make progress. You won't have it hanging over your head. You can actually enjoy the weekend instead of feeling guilty.
• Keeping your eye on long-term rewards can help you stay motivated to finish your assignment.

• Avoid moving your workspace constantly.
• Don't get lost on tangential research.
• Don't take constant breaks to get a snack.

• For every hour you waste procrastinating, you can limit how much television you watch that night.
• If you waste too much time procrastinating, you might deny yourself a favorite snack later on.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/solving-unsolvable-problems/201408/4-steps-stop-procrastinating
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/friendship-20/201405/the-surefire-first-step-stop-procrastinating
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/procrastination/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/understanding-assignments/
• ↑ https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/ab22ff64-3358-4387-9761-8c58878a6b84/resource/3ee38320-17e4-46f9-b24f-c95f9f345eb9/download/ipp7.pdf
• ↑ http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/how-exercise-can-help-us-learn/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/happy-life.html

About This Article

To start an assignment, try working on the most enjoyable or easiest parts of the assignment first to get the ball rolling. Even if no part of the assignment seems enjoyable or easy, set a timer and try to make yourself work for at least 5 minutes, which is usually enough time to build momentum and overcome procrastination. You can also try breaking your assignment up into smaller, more manageable tasks and scheduling yourself regular breaks so it doesn't seem as overwhelming. To learn how to stay positive and avoid procrastination while working on your homework, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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• Designing Essay Assignments

by Gordon Harvey

Students often do their best and hardest thinking, and feel the greatest sense of mastery and growth, in their writing. Courses and assignments should be planned with this in mind. Three principles are paramount:

1. Name what you want and imagine students doing it

However free students are to range and explore in a paper, the general kind of paper you’re inviting has common components, operations, and criteria of success, and you should make these explicit. Having satisfied yourself, as you should, that what you’re asking is doable, with dignity, by writers just learning the material, try to anticipate in your prompt or discussions of the assignment the following queries:

• What is the purpose of this? How am I going beyond what we have done, or applying it in a new area, or practicing a key academic skill or kind of work?
• To what audience should I imagine myself writing?
• What is the main task or tasks, in a nutshell? What does that key word (e.g., analyze, significance of, critique, explore, interesting, support) really mean in this context or this field?
• What will be most challenging in this and what qualities will most distinguish a good paper? Where should I put my energy? (Lists of possible questions for students to answer in a paper are often not sufficiently prioritized to be helpful.)
• What misconceptions might I have about what I’m to do? (How is this like or unlike other papers I may have written?) Are there too-easy approaches I might take or likely pitfalls? An ambitious goal or standard that I might think I’m expected to meet but am not?
• What form will evidence take in my paper (e.g., block quotations? paraphrase? graphs or charts?) How should I cite it? Should I use/cite material from lecture or section?
• Are there some broad options for structure, emphasis, or approach that I’ll likely be choosing among?
• How should I get started on this? What would be a helpful (or unhelpful) way to take notes, gather data, discover a question or idea? Should I do research? 

2. Take time in class to prepare students to succeed at the paper

Resist the impulse to think of class meetings as time for “content” and of writing as work done outside class. Your students won’t have mastered the art of paper writing (if such a mastery is possible) and won’t know the particular disciplinary expectations or moves relevant to the material at hand. Take time in class to show them: 

• discuss the assignment in class when you give it, so students can see that you take it seriously, so they can ask questions about it, so they can have it in mind during subsequent class discussions;
• introduce the analytic vocabulary of your assignment into class discussions, and take opportunities to note relevant moves made in discussion or good paper topics that arise;
• have students practice key tasks in class discussions, or in informal writing they do in before or after discussions;
• show examples of writing that illustrates components and criteria of the assignment and that inspires (class readings can sometimes serve as illustrations of a writing principle; so can short excerpts of writing—e.g., a sampling of introductions; and so can bad writing—e.g., a list of problematic thesis statements);
• the topics of originality and plagiarism (what the temptations might be, how to avoid risks) should at some point be addressed directly. 

3. Build in process

Ideas develop over time, in a process of posing and revising and getting feedback and revising some more. Assignments should allow for this process in the following ways:

• smaller assignments should prepare for larger ones later;
• students should do some thinking and writing before they write a draft and get a response to it (even if only a response to a proposal or thesis statement sent by email, or described in class);
• for larger papers, students should write and get response (using the skills vocabulary of the assignment) to a draft—at least an “oral draft” (condensed for delivery to the class);
• if possible, meet with students individually about their writing: nothing inspires them more than feeling that you care about their work and development;
• let students reflect on their own writing, in brief cover letters attached to drafts and revisions (these may also ask students to perform certain checks on what they have written, before submitting);
• have clear and firm policies about late work that nonetheless allow for exception if students talk to you in advance.
• Pedagogy Workshops
• Responding to Student Writing
• Commenting Efficiently
• Vocabulary for Discussing Student Writing
• Guides to Teaching Writing
• HarvardWrites Instructor Toolkit
• Additional Resources for Teaching Fellows