Soon, you’ll start working on your first assignment.
We’ve got a great tool called the Assignment Planner designed to assist you by breaking down your assignment into manageable stages. Just enter the relevant dates for your assignment and you will receive your assignment plan with a suggested time frame and helpful resources on how to approach each stage of your assignment.
Here’s a quick overview of the five important stages of an assignment that will help you tackle your first one.
Plan and prepare. The first stage of an assignment is all about planning. Check the criteria, brainstorm your initial ideas, ask any questions early and determine the purpose and direction of your argument. Write a plan that you can refer back to.
Research and take notes. This can often be the most time-consuming stage, but it is a necessary task. Ask the library to help you find the sources you need and take detailed notes. This is also a good time to check which referencing style you have to follow for your assignment.
Write the first draft. Your first draft should get your ideas on paper into a coherent order – your sentences don’t have to be perfect. Check our the Academic Skills Guides that are relevant to your assignment.
Revise and re-draft. Read our guide to drafting, and allocate time to checking that you have referenced your sources correctly.
Proofread and submit. Now is the time to print out your assignment and get out the red pen! Remember to also read the submission requirements in your unit guide, use Turnitin, and then submit it and do a celebratory dance.
So, get moving on that assignment and generate a plan now – your personal plan will include resources, advice and links for all five stages.
Feeling stuck on an assignment? Chat online to a Language and Learning Adviser, a Writing Mentor or Maths Mentor, or use Smarthinking, Deakin’s online tutoring and writing feedback service. Everyone is ready to help you succeed with your academic work.