The Writing Process Steps 1 and 2:
Inventing Ideas and Planning an Assignment
Decode the assignment brief or title
Begin by reading the assignment guidelines your tutor has provided
and any general writing advice given in your module and course
handbooks. Next, re-read the assignment brief or title and circle key
words.
Most assignments require you to identify a question (or questions) at
the heart of the topic you are given. If you are unsure of what question
lies at the centre of the topic on which you are working, discuss this
with others on your course, or with your module tutor. Remember that
every student-writer will have a unique perspective on the issues, so
no one will have exactly the same points to make.
You will need to formulate a response to the essential question you
have identified (usually in one or two sentences). This ‘thesis
statement’ or ‘statement of argument’ usually goes at the end of your
paper’s introductory paragraph or introductory section. You can then
use the main body of your paper to develop your response to this
statement.
Consider what content knowledge you are required to demonstrate,
and which writing and thinking skills (e.g. summarising, defining,
applying, analysing, critiquing, evaluating, synthesising). To do this,
look again at your assignment brief or title, and consult the marking
criteria and learning outcomes in your assignment brief or module
handbook.
Inventing Ideas and Planning an Assignment
Decode the assignment brief or title
Begin by reading the assignment guidelines your tutor has provided
and any general writing advice given in your module and course
handbooks. Next, re-read the assignment brief or title and circle key
words.
Most assignments require you to identify a question (or questions) at
the heart of the topic you are given. If you are unsure of what question
lies at the centre of the topic on which you are working, discuss this
with others on your course, or with your module tutor. Remember that
every student-writer will have a unique perspective on the issues, so
no one will have exactly the same points to make.
You will need to formulate a response to the essential question you
have identified (usually in one or two sentences). This ‘thesis
statement’ or ‘statement of argument’ usually goes at the end of your
paper’s introductory paragraph or introductory section. You can then
use the main body of your paper to develop your response to this
statement.
Consider what content knowledge you are required to demonstrate,
and which writing and thinking skills (e.g. summarising, defining,
applying, analysing, critiquing, evaluating, synthesising). To do this,
look again at your assignment brief or title, and consult the marking
criteria and learning outcomes in your assignment brief or module
handbook.
