Understanding the Brief The Difference Between Reports and

Understanding the Brief The Difference Between Reports and Essays

Not following the brief…

Understanding the Brief Misunderstanding the client can be catastrophic! …as can misunderstanding your assessment task.

Understanding the Brief NEVER start an assignment until you understand EXACTLY what you are being asked to do.

Understanding the Brief First stage: analyse the question. Assignment questions generally fall into three categories: 1. What & How 2. Why 3. Discuss

Understanding the Brief What and how – an explanation/description Why – an argument defending your position Discuss – a presentation of both sides concluding with your opinion

Deconstruct the Task Question Understand what you are being asked to do. What is it about? content What is the scope i. e. how much do I cover? limitation What do I do with the information? direction

Deconstruct the Task Question Look at these content, limiting, and direction words: Social media is becoming a common tool in the modern classroom. Explain three major social media platforms and discuss the benefits of using these in a typical high school education environment.

Activity Identify the content, limiting, and direction words: Choose an Australian company to focus on. Analyse the company’s management style through “the continuum of management styles” framework. Evaluate whether the company’s style of management has been successful. Provide any necessary recommendations.

Activity What format is this assignment? How do you know? Choose an Australian company to focus on. Analyse the company’s management style through “the continuum of management styles” framework. Evaluate whether the company’s style of management has been successful. Provide any necessary recommendations.

Activity Identify the content, limiting, and direction words: What are the consequences of the greatest risk(s) to health and well-being of a particular demographic in Australian society and how can social workers help to minimize these impacts? Describe the demographic. Identify the greatest risk(s). Critically assess the potential social consequences of this/these risk(s).

Activity What format is this assignment? How do you know? What are the consequences of the greatest risk(s) to health and well-being of a particular demographic in Australian society and how can social workers help to minimise these impacts? Describe the demographic. Identify the greatest risk(s). Critically assess the potential social consequences of this/these risk(s).

Direction Words

Direction Words On you handout write the correct direction word next to its explanation: Describe Name Explain Discuss Analyse List Define Identify Outline

Direction Words You are asked to take apart an idea, concept or statement and examine and criticise its sub-parts in detail. You have to be methodical and logical. For example: Analyse why moving to a ‘no frills’ low-cost strategy would be inappropriate for ONA?

Direction Words You are asked to give the meaning of an idea, either a dictionary definition or from an academic authority in your subject of study (technical definition). For example: Define communication in the workplace? IMPORTANT: Do not confuse an example with a definition

Direction Words You are asked to point out the important features and express some form of critical judgement. For example: Discuss the role of managers in organisational behaviour?

Direction Words You are asked to determine key points to be addressed and implications. For example: Identify the five steps involved in the marketing process?

Direction Words You are asked to give main points and essential supplementary materials, excluding minor details, and present the information in a systematic arrangement. For example: Outline the method used for creating Cash Flow Charts?

Direction Words You are asked to give the appropriate (discipline-specific) term by which something is known. For example: Name three business processes which can be used to communicate within organisations?

Direction Words You are asked to state the most noticeable qualities or features. For example: Describe the key identifiers of workforce diversity?

Direction Words You are asked to clarify, interpret and elaborate on the material presented, to give reason for differences of opinion or results, and to try to analyse causes. For example: Explain the basic operation of the formula in mortgage repayments?

Direction Words You are asked to briefly note or state specific information in a list format. For example: List the three major components of the CPU?

Complex Questions mage: Some questions are a little more difficult to identify…

Complex Questions A statement/proposition + “discuss”. The notion of consumer rights is not a uniform policy; it varies from state-to-state. Discuss.

Complex Questions explain the significance + a given statement Account for the lack of innovation in IT start -ups in the current Australian business climate.

Complex Questions special instructions e. g. material, sources, framework or approach Drawing on Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences examine the strength of the relationship between language proficiency in English and the 9 types of intelligences.

Implied Tasks Some assignment questions might not have a clear task. The task might be inferred. Look for clues in the limiting and content words and in the relationships between words and phrases.

Implied Tasks Questions which imply a comparison and /or contrast: 'The development of ethics is as important to medicine as the development and use of antibiotics. '

Implied Tasks Questions which ask for the cause and/or effect relationships to be exposed: 'Indigenous Australians experience lower levels of access to health services than the general population. Discuss the factors determining access. '

Implied Tasks Questions which imply an opinion needs to be given: 'Why did the ideas of Martin Luther cause such an upheaval in 16 th century Europe? Would there have been a Reformation without him? How would you measure the success of the Lutheran Reformation? Give reasons for your view. '

Implied Tasks Questions which imply evaluation: 'To what extent did the subcultural research project demonstrate that youth cultures were "counter-hegemonic"? '

Open Tasks What if I don't have a question? Some assignments let you choose a topic to explore within a particular framework or context. 'Write a report on the significance of your chosen topic for the Engineering program. ‘

Open Tasks With this type of task it is easy to lose focus… • Consider the current trends, issues or debates on the topic. • Form a focus question that indicates how you will approach the topic. • You should also discuss your question with your tutor.

Assignment Structure The structure is often given: “Write an essay on the following statement…” or “Write a report on …” or “Give a short presentation on …” What is your teacher’s interpretation of an essay or report? Are there any guidelines or criteria? If not, use generic ones.

The Rubric DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING THE ASSESSMENT RUBRIC. Where should you aim for on the rubric? Image: https: //au. pinterest. com/pin/2989264939911789

The Rubric Always aim for “deluxe” (High Distinction)

The Difference Between Reports and Essays Reports title page paragraphs structure references an executive summary table of contents headings tables, graphs & pictures recommendations

Different Purposes… Image: http: //cullinanelaw. com

Essay Structure

Report Structure

Checklist ü ü ü ü Deconstruct the question – task words Know the structure of your writing (essay? report? ) Check for required resources (number & format) Check word limit Check weighting Look over the rubric Check formatting requirements Check submission date and platform GOLDEN RULE: Always follow the advice and guidelines of the person marking your assignment.

After this Lecture Check out the resources on Moodle: • Follow the link to the Fed Uni Instructional Words Guide • Watch the video “Task Analysis: starting your assignments” from the Queensland University of Technology. • Read through the Fed Uni guides on reports and essays.

A Final Word… In the 15 th century The Duke of Milan commissioned a work from Leonardo da Vinci which resulted in the creation of one of the world’s masterpieces, “The Last Supper”. But, what would have happened if Michelangelo tried first, and didn’t quite follow the brief…and the Pope stepped in? http: //www. sbs. com. au/