Guidelines for tuning

Assignments are either submitted as softcopy or hardcopy. Looks matter when it comes to assignments and if you want to create a good impression, follow the listed guidelines.

Guidelines for soft copies

File format

·  Use MS Word or Open Office.

·  File formats: .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx or .rtf.

     Fonts

·  Select a clear, readable font.

·  Be consistent and use the same font throughout.

  

  Favourite picks:  Verdana, Calibri, Times New Roman, Tahoma or Arial

Spacing

·  Use 1.5 or double spacing.

·  Leave a blank line between paragraphs.

·  If the questions are short, leave a blank line between each question.

·  If they are long, start each question on a new page.

·  Justify your work

  

Headings

·  Use bold for headings

·  Essays do not usually require subheadings; reports and case study usually do.

Title page

· Most assignments require a title page. Include the following information on the title page:

    - the title of the assignment

    - the name

    - the submission date

    - your full name and student/roll number.

· Center the information, starting approximately one third of the way down the page.

Numbering

· Number all pages except the title page.

· Number your questions.

· Tables and figures must be numbered and clearly labelled.

    Note that:

    - the caption for a table is placed above the table

    - the caption for a figure goes below the figure.

       · Don't number the items in a reference list.

      

   Headers and footers

· Insert a header or footer on each page (except the title page).

· The header or footer should contain the following information:

    - your name (last name, first name/s)

    - student number,and

    - the page number.

Word count

     · Make sure your assignment should be within 10% of the required number of words, i.e. not more than 10% under or over the prescribed word count.

       · Microsoft Word can do the word count for you.

Reference list

     · The reference list comes at the end of the assignment.

     ·  Start the reference list on a new page.

     ·  Label the page References.

     ·  References are arranged alphabetically; they aren't numbered.

Appendices

     · Start each appendix (if applicable) on a new page.

     · If there's just one appendix, label it Appendix, without a number.

     · If there's more than one appendix, label them Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.

     · In the main text, refer to the Appendix by the label, e.g. Appendix A.

Tops and bottoms of pages

      · Check the top and bottom of your pages.

      ·  Avoid

- single lines of text at the top of a page, referred as ‘widows’

- first lines of paragraphs at the bottom of a page, referred as ‘orphans’

- headings or subheadings alone at the bottom of a page,referred as ‘tombstones’

- lists that are divided between two pages.

 Guidelines for hard copies

    

    Most of the guidelines above apply to hard copies as well. There are also a few additional things to note:

    Handwritten submissions

·  Some courses allow handwritten answers – check first with your lecturer

to make sure this is acceptable.Write legibly.

·  If you make a mistake, use correction fluid (white-out or Twink) or draw

  a neat line through the mistake.

·  If there are too many mistakes and your work looks messy, rewrite it.

·  Use a ruler for tables and graphs.

Pen and paper

   · Write on white A4 paper; use one side only. Use a blue or black pen for handwritten answers. Use Colours (optional) to highlight important key point. Stick to few times use to ensure richness. Don’t make it clumpsy.

  

  Recommended Colours : Violet, Brown and Light Blue.

Headings

       · Use bold for headings.

       · Underline headings if it’s handwritten – use a ruler, it looks neater.

Stapling your assignment

       · Staple multi-page assignments in the top left corner only.

So how to Quick check

Does your assignments have SWAG?