Essential Components for a Good Technical Presentation of Your Assignment

According to Jackie Robinson (for the School of Economics, Teaching and Learning Committee, The University of Queensland), “An assignment should be regarded as a piece of academic writing”. The look and presentation of assignments play a vital role for an assignment to be categorized as outstanding. The following piece of information informs readers about the generally accepted norms for a good assignment presentation. Often, professors have their own set preferences that differ from the suggested rules and norms. When your professors ask you to present your assignment differently, please follow your professor’s advice.

*Academic Style Of Writing

1. Preparation Before Writing Your Assignment:

• Go through all the learning materials, textbooks, emails from your professor etc.
• Read all the given instructions carefully, and make sure you keep them in mind and do exactly as instructed.
• If you’re not clear about the instructions, do consult your professor on the same.

2. File format

• There are many file formats like: .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx or .rtf.
• Generally, assignments are required to be submitted in Word format. Word is the generally accepted format for most of the assignments.
• If in case, the file format is not specified then you are required to contact your professor.

3.Headings and Sub-Headings

• It is usually advised to use bold for the headings.
• Capitalization of each word is another important point to keep in mind.
• Table headings are placed above the table.

4. Title page

Any assignment is incomplete without a title page. A title page basically informs the readers the following:

• Your full name.
• The title name and number of the assignment.
• The course name and number.
• The due date.

5 .Fonts

• It is important to keep in mind that you need to use the same font throughout your assignment.
• You cannot experiment with different formats for different segments of your assignment.
• Usage of a clear, readable, font such as Calibri, or Times New Roman is advisable.
• Use of a 12 point font is generally accepted.

6. Spacing

• Use 1.5 or double spacing and wide margins. This leaves room for the marker’s comments.
• Leave a blank line between paragraphs.
• Left-align your work.

7. Numbering

• Number all the pages of your assignment is important.

8. Word count

• Your assignment should not exceed more than 10% above or below the prescribed word count. It is important to note that, the word count does not include contents of the title page, reference list and appendices.

9.Reference

• A reference list must be included at the end of your assignment stating all the sources you have referred to in your assignment.
• Also, the sources are usually listed alphabetically.
• When listing more than one reference by the same author published in the same year, differentiate by adding a,b,c, etc.

10. Appendices

• Appendices must be listed in the table of contents.
• Acts as a supplementary resource to the information you are providing in your assignment.