ASSIGNMENT PREPARATION GUIDE

CHECKLIST FOR STUDENTS

The aim of the checklist:
This checklist is designed to help students ensure that their submissions contain all the features of
a well-written assignment. Students should ensure that positive responses can be made to each of
the comments below before submission of their projects for assessment. Asking a peer to apply
the checklist to ones own work is an excellent approach.
PRESENTATION AND SUBMISSION
ave you!
"es
Stated the word count#
$emained within the recommended word limit#
ad the work checked for correct spelling#
ad the work checked for correct grammar#
STRUCTURE
Does the submission:
Yes
%ndicate its background& aim and scope in the introduction#
'emonstrate a structure appropriate to the task()uestion and a logical
organisation of ideas#
*resented one main idea per paragraph#
%ntroduce new topics clearly within the first one or two sentences of a paragraph#
*rovide an appropriate concluding paragraph that draws together the strands of
the argument while avoiding the introduction of new concepts or material#
CONTENT
'oes the submission!
"es
+se only material that is relevant to the )uestion#
Address the major issues relevant to the )uestion#
Show connections between material from different sources#
*rovide sufficient evidence of your own clear understanding of the issues#
'emonstrate that you have used the material to help solve a problem or develop
your knowledge of the issue#
'emonstrate that you can critically evaluate the evidence and mount a coherent
written argument#

*rovide evidence of wider reading on the issue#
STYLE
'oes the work consistently employ! "es
,xpression which avoids plagiarism -direct copying from another source.#
An appropriate academic style which is objective and formal
A clear style which can be understood on the first reading/ and shows a logical
progression of ideas#
The recommended system of referencing#
0onsistency in the use of references so that all the references used in the text
appear in the reference list& and vice-versa#
*(It is strongly reo!!en"e" t#$t yo% re$" t#e &or' to $ (eer to #e' t#$t it $n )e %n"erstoo"*
b. MARKING GUIDE
The aim of the marking guide:
This guide indicates broadly the )ualitative judgements implied by the marks which may be
awarded. A more precise evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of individual essays will be
provided in examiners1 comments. Students should seek advice from their supervisors if they are
unsure of the meaning of any of the criteria used for marking the essay.
Below 50% (Fail: !ork not of acce"ta#le standard.
2ork may fail for any or all of the following reasons!
3 evidence of plagiarism or academic dishonesty4
3 irrelevance of content or failure to address the )uestion or task4
3 presentation& grammar or structure so unclear it cannot be understood4
3 submitted late without extension.
3 little or no evidence of research
3 irregularities of style and expression which interfere with the meaning
5ailed work is always second marked.
50$5%% (&ow 'ass: !ork of an acce"ta#le standard(
2ritten work!
1 contains correct citations for all non-original material4
2 contains evidence of minimal research and a rudimentary understanding of the subject matter4
3 offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the )uestion& but may have a tendency to
paraphrase without integrating research material into the students own ideas4
4 makes a reasonable attempt to organise material logically and comprehensibly.
5 contains irregularities of style and expression which do not &however& always interfere with
the meaning
There may be gaps in any or all of these areas.
55$5)% (*edium 'ass: !ork of a satisfactor+ standard(
2ritten work!
6 contains correct citations for all non-original material4
7meets basic re)uirements in terms of reading and research4
8demonstrates a reasonable understanding of subject matter4
9offers a synthesis of relevant material4
:attempts to make a coherent argument4
may contain some irregularities of style and expression which do not interfere with the
meaning.
There may be weaknesses in particular areas.
,0$,%% (-igh 'ass: !ork has considera#le merit(
2ritten work4
contains correct citations for all non-original material4
contains evidence of a broad and reasonably accurate command of the subject matter4
offers synthesis and some evaluation of material4
maintains a clear focus on the principal issues
shows understanding of relevant arguments4
offers an argument grounded in relevant evidence4
6 demonstrates minor irregularities in style and expression.
,5$,)% (&ow Credit: Com"etent work that could #e further de.elo"ed
2ritten work!
contains correct citations for all non-original material4
contains evidence of comprehensive reading4
demonstrates good selection of evidence4
offers synthesis and critical evaluation of material4
takes a position in relation to various interpretations of material4
demonstrates a coherent and sustainable argument&
demonstrates some evidence of independent thought.
is written reasonably clearly and mainly in an appropriate style
/0$/%% (-igh Credit: -ighl+ com"etent work0
2ritten work!
;contains correct citations for all non-original material4
<shows evidence of extensive research4
=demonstrates a sound grasp of subject matter and appreciation of key issues and context4
>engages critically and articulately with the )uestion4
6? shows thoughtful evaluation of the material.
66 is written clearly and in an appropriate style
/5$1%% (2istinction: !ork of a su"erior standard
2ritten work !
7contains correct citations for all non-original material4
8demonstrates initiative in research and reading&
9demonstrates complex understanding and original analysis of subject matter&
:critical understanding of the principles underlying the unit of study .
;characterised by good style and clarity.
67 is written clearly and in an appropriate style
15%3 (-igh 2istinction: !ork of e4ce"tional standard
2ritten work!
contains correct citations for all non-original material4
demonstrates initiative in research and reading4
demonstrates critical evaluation of analysis of research material4
offers innovative interpretation of evidence4
articulates critical understanding of the principles underlying the unit of study4
characterised by its articulate style and precision.
68 is written clearly and in an appropriate style
igh 'istinction work is always second marked.
MARKING CODES THAT MA+ ,E USED ,+ +OUR
SUPER-ISOR.
s( @ incorrect spelling
A The %ntroduction to this essay is excellent. %t provides some background to the topic& and
explains to the reader the scope of the topics to be covered in the essay.
, The %ntroduction could be improved
C A good concluding paragraph
D Admirable detail in this section of your essay
E "our essay could have included more detail in some sections
F 5igures attached to your essay -i. should be labelled as 5igure 6& 5igure 7& etc -ii. should
include the source of the figure -book# internet#. -iii. should include brief explanatory
notes.
A T#ere is nee" /or i!(ro0e!ent in so!e $s(ets o/ Englis# l$ng%$ge %s$ge in yo%r
ess$y1 s%# $s gr$!!$r1 s(elling1 $n" e2(ression3 +o% s#o%l" onsi"er "oing $
o%rse in ess$y &riting $t t#e Le$rning Centre3
I "ou should refer to the 5igures in the text of your essay -for example& See 5igure 6.
4 %nclusion of 5igures could have improved your essay
K A conceptual error
L *oor essay structure& or poor use of paragraphing. Avoid paragraphs with one sentence.
M Baterial in this section is not directly relevant. %n an essay with a two-page limit you
should concentrate on the relevant issuesC
N Avoid using very old books as reference material
O Dverall organiEation of some of the text in the essay could be improved
P *resentation of the material is well organiEed& and the )uality of the writing is excellent
5 or ### 0onfusing text
R $eferences to the source of the material should be included in the essay
S A list of references used as sources of information for your essay should have been
included
6S The essay exceeds the word or page limit.
3 REFERENCING GUIDE
0orrect use of citations and bibliographies is an important aspect of scientific writing and is not
difficult if you follow these guidelines. The correct style is described on the following pages.
T#e !ost o!!on /l$&s $re.
F$il%re to ite so%re o/ in/or!$tion in )o"y o/ te2t3
%f a statement is made it must be supported by a reference& unless it is a well- accepted scientific
fact.
Inorret /or!$t /or it$tions in te2t -See below for correct form.
0opying all the details of the reference -ie. title& journal & as well as authors and year. into the
body of the text is incorrect. Similarly& incomplete citations are incorrect& eg. FSmith and Gones
found possums ..F as the year of publication must be included.
Hote the different ways of citing multi-authored papers -I7.. Dnly the first author is named
-Jloggs et al.& 6>>6.. Hot all journals follow this style& however this is the re)uired form for your
essays.
Inl%sion7e2l%sion o/ re/erenes /ro! t#e )i)liogr$(#y3
Je certain you understand the function of the bibliography. %t is not a list of papers which you
read in preparing the essay& or which you would recommend reading. %t should be a complete and
comprehensive list of all the articles(books which were cited in the essay& including those used in
figures or diagrams. %t should not include references which were not cited. The references should
be listed alphabetically& then by year if there are multiple papers by the same author -see
guidelines in the handbook.. %t is important to follow a consistent format.
Inorret it$tions3
The bibliography should be prepared last& after the essay is complete& so references are not
missed. The list should be carefully proof-read and cross-checked with the text. This may seem
relatively trivial& but when the essay has many errors it detracts a great deal from the )uality of
the essay and the reader1s confidence in your essay1s accuracy.
Citation of 5eferences
2hen references are cited in the body of the assignment& there are t&o !et#o"s in common
usage. "ou may use both to achieve some variation& thus!
FStone -6>>?. showed that ....F& D$
F$ats excreted <:K of the ingested toxin -Stone& 6>>?..F
2hen t&o $%t#ors are involved& cite both each time they appear& thus!
FJrother and Trouble -6>>?. ....F
2hen t#ree or !ore $%t#ors have shared the glory& mention only the first author at the first
reference!
Farpo et al.& -6><<. -et al. @ and others.
Note! Ho initials appear in the text& except in the case of a (erson$l o!!%ni$tion& i.e. a form
of reference to someone1s unpublished work or opinion. 5or example!
FStorage of semen is enhanced by ...-%.0.A. Bartin& pers. comm.....
*ersonal communications are not included in the bibliography. %f you intend to include personal
communications& please be sure that you )uote your communicator accurately.
The Bi#liogra"h+
-list of references at the end of the essay.
All forms of reference described below are arranged $l(#$)eti$lly according to authors1 names&
eg!
Allen& 2.G. -6><9.....
Allen& 2.G. -6><;.....
Allen& 2.G.& Jaker& A.J. and Smith& '.H. -6><8....
Allen& 2.G.& 0arter& 0.2. and Jrown& G.L. -6><6.
2here !ore t#$n one ($(er is published in one year by an author or group of authors& they are
listed chronologically thus!
eywood& L.. and 2ood& A.M.2. -6>=:a.....
eywood& L.. and 2ood& A.M.2. -6>=:b.....
The forms used for different types of references are given below.
6ournal 5eferencing
0ite references thus!
BcMenEie& $.A.& Areen& *.,.& artley& 2.G. and *ollitt& 0.0. -6><=. Cryptosporidium in a red-
bellied black snake -Psudo!"io sorp"yri#!us. Aust. Net. G. 89& 8;:-8;;. a red-bellied
black snake -Psudo!"io sorp"yri#!us.. Aust. $t. %. 89& 8;:-8;;.
Notes.
O All authors names and initials are given with punctuation
O The full paper title is given
O The name of the journal is abbreviated according to the international standard -see Biosis
&ist o' Sri#(s in libraries.
O The first and last page numbers of papers are given.
Book 5eferencing
Hormal texts& i.e where the author-s. are responsible for all the content& eg!
Jlood& '.0. and enderson& G.A. -6><9. $tri)#ry Mdi!i) 9th edn Jialliere Tindall&
London.
Bulti-author books& i.e. each author contributes a chapter or definable part& eg!
2atson& A.'.G. -6><<. Anti-microbial therapy& in Curr)t $tri)#ry T"r#py N%& ed.$.2.
Mirk& Lea and 5ebiger& *hiladelphia.
5e"ort 5eferencing
or :or's &it#o%t I"enti/i$)le A%t#ors
These are usually attributable to that well-known and prolific writer& Anon.& Thus!
Anon. -6><>-=?. A))u#( Rport. HS2 'epartment of Agriculture
%n the text& eg! F%t was reported -Anon.& 6><>-=?....F
5eferences to 7uoted 'a"ers
-2here a paper has not been read by the author but )uoted by others.
Hot a desirable practice except where the original is unobtainable.
aughey& M.A. -6><=. Jirth trauma in stressed emus. %. Irrprod. Rs. ;& 6->. 0ited by
'agg& 5. -6><>. Aspects of parturition. %. P#rt. O*st. ;8& 6>8-6><.
8nternet 5eferencing
Baterial on the internet can be used as reference material for your essays and project reports.
Such material takes many forms. %t can appear as a publication in a refereed or unrefereed
electronic journal& or as a general article. "ou should be aware of the nature of the publication
being used& and its intellectual authority. All material on the %internet is copyright. "ou should
acknowledge the source of any information used in your essay& and internet publications must be
listed in your bibliography. The bibliography should include at least the author name(s& journal
details -if appropriate. and +$L -internet address of the article..
Students need to be very wary of the )uality of information as there is no checking or peer review
of material posted on the net -if it is not part of a journal with editorial or peer review.& and so it
could be wrong or misleading.