Study Toolbox: Assignment Process

• ​​Highlight any instructional words in the question e.g. analyse, discuss, compare and contrast (check out the subtab called Understanding instructional words in essays, assignments and exams for explanations of different instructional words).
• Highlight any keywords that tell you what you have to write about.

Here is an example of a nursing essay question and its instructional words and keywords:

Discuss the characteristics of a successful therapeutic relationship including the communication skills necessary in the development of the relationship.

Create a list of search terms from the keywords you identified in the question.  

It is important to think of alternative keywords.  Not all of the relevant search results will use the same keyword so think of synonyms (words that mean the same thing) and alternative keywords.  For example, search terms for the keywords therapeutic relationship and communication skills are:

• Therapeutic alliance
• Professional-patient relations 
• Partnership
• Interaction
• Interpersonal skills

By having a variety of search terms it increases your chances of finding information relevant to your question.

You will use these search terms to search the library’s collection of books, journals, magazines, databases and ebooks.

Video credited to the Cosumnes River College Library.

CRC Library. (2015, October 3). The benefits of keyword searching [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpzi6dxabOY

• Use your keywords to search on the library’s catalogue of books, journals and magazines for relevant information.
• Use your keywords to search the online databases and the ebook collection accessible from the library's MySIT page.
• As you locate useful information, always record where the information came from.  It is important to do this because otherwise you may find yourself at the end of your assignment attempting to recreate your searches to locate a resource to get the correct in-text citation and reference. 

Video credited to University of South Australia.

University of South Australia. (2017, October 20). Study help: Plan your search [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-GlTrrXdhw

• Decide what your main points are going to be and their order within your essay.
• Once you have decided on your main points sort through the information you have collected and select the most relevant and useful evidence and examples. 

• Do not worry about presentation, instead focus on getting all your information down in the best possible order.
• Remember each paragraph should focus on one main idea.  Make sure you explain and expand this idea and include supporting evidence and examples.

• Check you have answered the question fully.
• Locate any errors and make any necessary changes. 
• Check that you have acknowledged all work that is not your own.
• Check that your APA referencing is correctly formatted.
• At this stage get someone to read your essay to check for any errors and give you feedback on if it makes sense and flows well.  Ask for honest feedback.
• Edit and redraft as many times as necessary.

• Pay attention to spelling and presentation.
• Make sure your essay meets SIT assignment requirements:
  • All pages are numbered
  • Assignment is typed
  • It is grammatically correct and spell checked
  • Has a wide margin
  • Uses double or one and a half spacing
  • Uses a size 12 font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman, Arial or Palatino.
• Make sure you include the appropriate cover page, your reference list and if required, a bibliography.

Allow plenty of time to print your assignment in case there is a problem with the printer.  If submitting electronically, allow plenty of time in case there are technical issues.

This guide is general in content.  You should check with your tutor for specific instructions and guidelines for any assignments.