COURSEWORK

Study advice

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Coursework

Coursework assignments are on a par with examination papers, in terms of academic rigour and demands. They are academic skills expressed and assessed in distinctive ways. Ask yourself:

A cliché statement but crucially important as it takes you into 'question analysis'. The biggest dangers are not usually factual inaccuracy as such, but more often irrelevance/not answering the question 'as set'. You will not be getting questions that are straight narrative descriptive ones, merely asking you to describe all you know on a general topic. They will go further, expecting descriptive facts to be used in an analytical or discursive way by you. Thus, you should sort out at least four dimensions in 'question analysis', i.e. namely:

(b)	Assumptions & implications of the queston, accepted/or not as appropriate
(a)	Specific aspects of the general topic
(c)	Key concepts/terms, needing explanation, clarification, criteria set
(d)	Direction asked for materials, e.g. discuss, analyse, compare, explain

This is your main 'directed substance'. You should aim to include the following features:

(a)	Paragraphs - thematic	a 'central point/theme' in the paragraph supporting examples and exceptions/reservations further implications and comparisons
(b)	English - clear & accurate	2.1/1 bands expect accurate spelling and grammar see further style advise by Lynch
(c)	Sources - varied range Primary & secondary	accurately & precisely cited (see referencing advice) evaluated/analysed - not just described use materials & develop ideas beyond just class ones
(d)	Main text back up	accurate precise footnoting (see referencing advice) bibliography;works actually used by you (not general lists)

i.e "analysis of specific illustrations & examples to sustain argumentative points"