It is needless to say that life of postgraduates is harder than undergraduates. Walking into the postgraduate world initially feels like falling down a bottomless rabbit hole, completely unsure how to manage everything. You have more time constraints, more demanding responsibilities, more debt and possibly fewer friends.
Adding to the pressure, there are complex assignments to take care of as well.
Here is a detailed assignment writing guide for a postgraduate degree. All you need is some hot coffee and determination to implement what you learn in this guide.
- Writing the introduction
You may be asked to write a short essay or a dissertation during your postgraduate study. The rules are nearly similar for both of them.
The format of the introduction is:
- General statements (better if you focus on the importance of the topic)
- Background information
- Reference to previous work or recent developments
All in all, the introduction consists of four major elements - Situation-Problem-Solution-Evaluation.
Here’s an example to help you get the drill:
The concept of human cloning isn’t new. Cloning revolutionised science in 1997 when researchers cloned Dolly, the sheep. However, that doesn’t disregard the fact that animal cloning tests have often resulted in abnormal fetuses or unsuccessful implantation. Many fetuses die of catastrophic organ failure. But recently, doctors claimed that they had developed the technical skills required to clone the first human successfully within a year.
Unlike essays, introductions in dissertations need to be more complex and substantial. In that case, you have to discuss ideas and present the research findings in the introduction.
- Acknowledging your sources
You are supposed to display your knowledge related to the field, thereby proving that you are aware of the significant sources relevant to your topic. Read AND report the information that has been written. Evaluate and criticise the information wherever appropriate. If your postgraduate assignment consists of an empirical element such as a questionnaire, you need to identify your work within the framework of existing research.
- Provide evidence for the arguments you make through accurate citations.
- The citations can include a summary of what you have read or direct quotes from a relevant source.
- Whether you quote or summarise, do not forget to write the author’s name and publication details in your text and the list of references.
If you don’t acknowledge the work of other authors and yet use their information, you commit plagiarism which is not allowed. Your professors expect you to come to your own conclusions and not merely copy someone else’s work. Plagiarism takes a toll on both your reputation and academic performance. You can use a paraphrasing tool, but citations are more effective when it comes to avoiding plagiarism.
- The right use of source materials
Professors often complain that both native and international students aren’t critical enough to read and use source texts. However, you are expected to do more than accept and repeat what you read. You need to walk that extra mile and justify the validity and relevance of your thoughts as well. In UK universities, good academic writing is the one that questions and rejects source materials if necessary.
Your assignment questions may consist of functional words such as ‘discuss’, ‘comment on…’, ‘assess’, etc. These words indicate that your professors expect you to be critical.
Here’s how a critical use of source materials look like:
Culture is taken for granted from one perspective. It revolves around ideas, assumptions and beliefs that all members of culture may not be aware of. Culture is how we usually do things and how people interpret things when their expectations aren't met. Academic culture refers to this system for conducting academic matters. It is about the patterns of expectations that operate at a deep level and impact people's values, thoughts, behaviour, beliefs and attitudes.
- Evaluating sources
The Internet is an excellent resource. But you need to use it carefully.
Here are the criteria for evaluating sources on the Internet:
Authority
- Is the author’s name provided?
- What about the author’s qualifications?
- Has the author written anywhere else on the topic?
Affiliation
- Who sponsors the website?
- Does the text reflect only the author’s perspective or of an organisation?
- Is the author affiliated with a reputed institution?
Audience
- Who is the website catering to?
- Is it relevant to your target audience?
Currency
- Is the website out of date?
- Are all the links updated and working?
- Has the blog been published recently?
Accuracy
- Is the information relevant to your topic?
- Is it factual?
- Can you verify the accuracy of the information?
- Has the source of information been clearly stated?
- How valid is the research presented in the source?
Books and other materials enter the University library stem after a thorough peer review. They are systematically catalogued and even cross-referenced with standard procedures. Therefore, it is easier to evaluate sources such as books, journals and articles. But, with the Internet, you need to evaluate the information before using it in your paper.
- Expressing caution
You are most likely to make claims based on what you have read in the sources. So, it is your responsibility to take care of the degree of certainty and uncertainty of those claims. Adjust the strength of your claims to match the evidence that you have cited.
Here are the words that can help you express caution regarding your claims in the postgraduate assignment.
Lecturers often ask postgraduates to interpret the findings of published work. That is when you need to use the right word that expresses the appropriate degree of certainty or uncertainty in your interpretation.
- Providing closure to readers
Good academic writing encompasses covering a topic which means you need to give it a comprehensive treatment. You have the whole piece of assignment to prove. And the right place to highlight the main ideas you have covered for one last time is the conclusion. It is your opportunity to leave a solid impression that your work is coherent, complete and competent.
Conclusions serve two main purposes:
- Summarising your arguments - This is where you string together the threads of your assignment and let the readers know what to take away from your treatment of the literature.
- Reflecting on the implications of your case -You can comment on relevant but wider themes, whether theoretical or practical, in this section. So take off the blinkers and focus on the most significant points of the essay.
In short, refer to what you have already written, reminding the reader of the significance of your arguments. Then, point forward to what you think about the future scopes of relevant research.
Wrapping Up,
You may not be able to do anything about the other hurdles of your postgraduate life, such as deadlines and responsibilities. But the assignments are in your control. Things will be a little easier once you get a good grip on the assignment writing process for your postgraduate program.
Author Bio:
Mellissa Wilson is a content creator at a reputed firm in the United Kingdom. She also provides assignment help at MyAssignmenthelp.com. In addition, Mellissa loves to bake cakes in her free time.
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