Compare2 team models1Screen reader users, this is a content word. in two contemporary3Screen reader users, these are limiting words. organisations.Discuss2Screen reader users, this is an instructional word. the effectiveness1 of these models with reference to2 current3 management theories1.
Researching your assignment
Before you start searching for information on your assignment topic, it is important to be organised and have a clear process in mind. This will help you focus your search and identify and resolve the issues you might encounter along the way.
Understand the assignment task
It is important to understand what your assignment topic means before you start your research, otherwise it can lead to confusion, frustration and wasted time. It is also one of the common causes of assignment failure.
Analysing the words used in the assignment prompt is a good way to understand the assignment topic. The prompt is usually very specific and will refer to only part of the course content. There are three common types of words to look out for.
Content words
Content words identify concepts or ideas from your course that apply to the topic. To properly understand content words it is often necessary to do some research on the topic first. Think about the following:
- Which part of the course content does the prompt refer to?
- Which aspects of the topic are required?
- What broader context is this prompt part of?
Instructional words
A clear understanding of instructional words is vital for completing the assignment in the way the lecturer expects. In an assignment, the lecturer is not only assessing what you know, but also your ability to respond to the content in a particular way. Assignments may require you to:
- describe or give information about a topic or idea
- show or explain the relationship between topics or ideas
- describe or explain a process
- argue a point of view
- compare different ideas.
Limiting words
Limiting words narrow down the topic. They tell you what aspects of the topic should be included and the limits of your discussion, such as time or location.
Sample assignment task
Here's an example of an assignment task where the content, instructional and limiting words have been identified.
Activity: Identifying content, instructional, and limiting words
Test your understanding by identifying the content, instructional and limiting words in the following assignment topic.
