# Welcome to SMIRK Unit
6 - Writing your
assignment

- Know the rules
- Features of academic writing (video)
- Formal writing (video)
- Using evidence in your writing (video)
- Using evidence in your writing - 2 (video)
- Writing style
- Impersonal writing (video)
- Your voice
- Proof reading and revision
- Back to main index

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# Know the rules

Before you begin to write your assignment, make sure you understand:

- who your audience is (your lecturer, your peers?)
- house rules in relation to style
- the length
- the marking criteria
- all of these should be in your module handbook which is available on GCULearn

Once you have a clear understanding of both the topic and the requirements for writing the assignment, you can begin to put pen to paper.
Make sure you have set enough time aside to write the first draft without too many interruptions. It is important that the thoughts and ideas flow freely through the length of your work. If you can't set aside time to write the whole document, try to set time aside to write complete sections.
Once your have written your assignment, set it aside for a couple of days. Then go back to it and proofread it. There will be more about this later.

These videos from Dr Jane McKay of the School of Health and Life Sciences Learning Development Centre will help you get started.

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# Features of academic
writing

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Watch this video from Dr Jane McKay of the School of Health and Life Sciences Learning Development Centre. It will help get you started.

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# Formal writing

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# Using evidence in your
writing

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# Using evidence in your
writing - 2

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# Writing style

- Be clear and concise.
- Avoid long sentences.
- Use short simple words in preference to long obscure ones.
- Eliminate unnecessary jargon.
- Where you use abbreviations, explain them the first time you use them.
- Consider choice of words, for example, use 'received' or 'acquired' rather than 'got'.
- Do not constantly use the same words.
- It is important to acknowledge the ideas and actual words you have taken from the sources you have used. This is known as citation.
- Where you do use the words of others, ensure you place them in “quotations”.
- Check the grammar - here are some tips
- Here is some advice on impersonal writing from Dr Jane McKay of the School of Health and Life Sciences Learning Development Centre

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# Impersonal writing

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# Your voice

Your lecturers want to hear your voice, not someone else's, so use your own ideas and words. You will need to back your ideas up with evidence from else where, but have confidence in your own expression of your ideas.
Follow the assignment instructions on whether you should be using an ‘active' or ‘passive' voice. Bear in mind that plain english guidelines recommend using the active voice whenever possible.

- The active voice reads as follows: ‘I recommend ...'
- The passive voice reads: ‘It is recommended that ...'

The active voice allows you to write short, punchy sentences. The passive appears more formal and considered and may be more suitable for academic writing. Avoid mixing the two voices.

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# Proof reading and
revision

After you have completed your assignment you should check your work and revise it as necessary. Always set more time aside for this than you think you are going to need. It is an important stage and should not be rushed. You will need to read through the assignment to double check that you have:

- answered the question
- clearly expressed your ideas
- made no mistakes.

If you do need to make changes, be methodical and ensure that you do all of them. Again re-read your assignment and check that the changes you have made have not affected the tone and style of your work.

Top tip: When you get your assignment back from your lecturer, look carefully at the feedback they have given you, not just the mark.
The feedback will help you improve not only your knowledge of the subject, but also how to enhance your written communication skills. Has your lecturer indicated what you did well and what you could do differently? If yes, then reflect on these and try to incorporate them into your next assignment so that you do even better next time.

This is the end of our section on writing your assignment.

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/