This document provides guidance on writing an academic assignment. It outlines the typical structure, which includes sections like the title page, abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and conclusions. Key elements of each section are defined. The importance of critical analysis and synthesis is emphasized. Tips are provided on topics selection, reading literature, using sources, being critical, structure, writing style, and meeting assignment requirements. Analysis involves breaking down concepts while synthesis combines elements to form a coherent whole.

1. Assignment writing

2. AimsExplore the assignment writing processExamine the structure of an assignmentDefine the key elements of each section of the assignmentIdentify key questions to ask yourself at each stage of the assignment writing process

3. StructureAn academic assignment will typically include the following sections:Title PageAcknowledgementsAbstract (150 words)Introduction (10%)Literature Review (30%)Methodology (10%)Findings & Interpretation (30%)Conclusions & Recommendations (10%)Critical ReflectionsReferencesAppendices

4. Assignment structure

5. Title page etcTitle PageProgramme name, your name, assignment title and number, tutor’s name, date of submissionContents pageItemising chapter headings and page numbersAcknowledgementsTo recognise those who helped in compiling the assignment or supported your studies

6. AbstractOptional – but good practiceA taster – not an introductionShould summarise & preface all sections in brief, not just the conclusionsPrompt questionsWhat was your focus? Why focus on this issue?What theories informed your research?How have you undertaken your research?What have you found?What is your main conclusion & recommendation?

7. Choosing a topicIdentify a topic area that is relevant to the assignment questionFrom this broad topic area focus your attention on one particular aspectKey questions in developing your idea/ defining the problem situationWhat initially drew you to the problem situation/ inspired the idea?What particularly interests you about this issue/ area?What do you want to find out? What do others want to find out?How does this relate to the material covered on the module/ programme?Why is this area worth investigating – personally or organisationally?Clarify your focus before you start reading and continue to refine your focus as you read

8. Study SkillsReadingStudying for a higher qualification is going to involve reading widely, beyond the set textsLikely to involve ‘Snowballing’: when reading something leads to other literatureJournal articles may give a neat summary of theoryAbstracts allow you to browse: if it looks interesting read it; if not, don’tMake referencing easyTake notes and Photocopies of sourcesReference them as you go: who wrote it? when? where? page numbers etc

9. IntroductionSet the scene for the readerIdentify your focus; your interest; terms and parametersBackground and context of the issue – focus on the issue not the organisational contextState your aims and objectives for the assignment – what do you hope to achieve in studying this issueClarify the scope – what is in and what is not?

10. Literature reviewReview and critical discussion of relevant theorySummarise relevant theories, models, ideas – not everything you have readCompare, contrast, critiqueExplore relative merits of chosen literatureExplain why it is relevant to what you are doingNOT a regurgitation of literature but a demonstration of understanding of key arguments and conceptsDon’t just describe models, explain what they doAcknowledge sourcesYour chance to show how widely you have read and the degree to which you understand what you have read

11. SourcesLiterature ReviewBooks; refereed journal articlesPeer reviewed literatureReview the literature criticallyPrimaryResearch conducted by you specific to your topicInterviews, questionnairesField research, generating new insightBuilding on secondary sourcesSecondaryWeb searches and newsgroupsCompany reports and internal documentsMagazine and newspaper articlesConsultant’s reportsTV and Radio programmesKeeping up to dateLook for gaps

12. Being ‘Critical’In an academic environment, being critical means:Being open-mindedBeing intellectually sceptical about ideas, claims and argumentsNot accepting things at face valueQuestioning assumptions and ‘taken for granteds’Questioning existing structures and practicesFocus can be:Underlying assumptionsMeaning of wordsMethodologyData collectedInterpretations made on dataReasoning/argumentYour findings

13. Being critical when writingPresent evidence to support your reasoningRead your own writing criticallyView the issue from multiple perspectivesAcknowledge the contribution, merits and strengths but in a qualified wayReject, rebut, refute, reformulate, test and extendIdentify gaps, absences, limitsEvaluate the importance of omissions and flawsTake new points of view

14. Assignment structure: discussSection 3: Analysis, Findings and InterpretationAnalyse the business issue using your chosen theory(ies)Present what you have found in your analysis; relate your findings to the research question and acknowledge problems and constraintsPresent a balanced discussion giving opposing views leading to your synthesisWhat lessons are there for you? What lessons are there for the organisation? How might the issue be taken forward?Logically sequenced sections; helpful headingsUse appropriate tables, graphs, charts and diagrams to support/ illustrate your discussionEdit to tell a coherent story

15. Assignment structure: discussSection 4: Conclusions and recommendationsSummarise key elements of discussion then provide a concluding commentaryFollow by (if appropriate) recommendations driven by findings/ conclusionsNo surprises: not the place to introduce new concepts!Section 5 : Critical reflections and learningThis is your forum, where you reflect on the assignment and the experience of researching/writing itWhat are the key learning points for you personally and for BAE SYSTEMS?What were you pleased with; what were you less happy with?What would you do differently next time?Try to relate your observations to a learning model

16. Assignment structure: supportReferencesAcknowledge your sources!In the text: Dicken (1998 p40)In references (book): Dicken,P (1998) Global Shift: transforming the world economy, Paul Chapman, LondonIn references (journal article): Dicken,P (1998) The changing geography of Japanese foreign direct investment in manufacturing industry: a global perspective, Environment and Planning Vol 20 pp 633-53Organise your references as you are reading and writing up

17. Assignment structure: supportAppendicesSupporting material – not essential readingNumbered with titles as referred to in the textIf you haven’t referred to an appendix in the text, its probably not worth including as an appendixKeep them relevant; restrict to a sensible length and number

18. Assignment writingGetting startedNo need to begin at the beginningStart writing up well in advance of hand in date – even if revisions are necessaryBe prepared to draft and re-draftAssignment planBrief notes as to what you intend to include in each section of the assignment including word budgetWhat theory(ies) or model(s) you intend to applyBring to tutorial

19. Assignment writingWriting upExpression should be clear, relevant, simpleSuitable diagrams can add clarityExplain and defend your thought processes. What is your evidence?Bring in the theory – how did it work when you put it into practice? What other frameworks could you have used?The reader is interested in your learning

20. Assignment writingStick to the rules3,000 words, neatly typed and presentedCheck grammar and spelling – get it proof-readName and number all the pagesReference and acknowledge the work of othersStart new sections on a new pageHand it in on time

21. MarkingRead the handbookYou will get credit for:Application of theory to a practical problemEvidence of wide readingCritical analysisSynthesisClear link between analysis, conclusions and recommendationsGood use of EnglishGood signposting

22. Analysis and SynthesisAnalysis is defined as the procedure by which we break down an intellectual or substantial whole into parts or componentsSynthesis is defined as the opposite procedure: to combine separate elements or components in order to form a coherent wholeAnalysis and synthesis, as scientific methods, always go hand in handEvery synthesis is built upon the results of a preceding analysis and every analysis requires a subsequent synthesis in order to verify and correct its results