Assessment Types and Formats

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Assessment Types and Formats

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You will encounter various types of assessments, each designed to evaluate different skills, knowledge areas, and competencies. This diversity in assessment methods is intentional and beneficial for both students and lecturers/tutors.

Some of you may excel in written tasks, others in practical demonstrations, and yet others in verbal presentations. Using varied assessments allows all students to showcase their knowledge and skills in ways that suit them best.

Varied assessments encourage you to think critically and creatively. For instance, case studies require you to apply theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems, fostering critical thinking. Creative projects, on the other hand, might assess your ability to innovate or think outside the box.
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If you think about the following statement, you will realise that assessments play a crucial role in your future in the workforce:

“ The diverse skills assessed through various university assignments prepare you for the complexity and unpredictability of the professional world. Being adept at writing reports, presenting ideas, working in teams, and conducting research are all valuable skills in most careers. ”

The assessment formats that you may need to submit at university can include one or more of the following:

Have a look at the Student Academic Success - Understand assessments.

Here you will find important tips on preparing assessments, managing your assessment whilst maintaining academic integrity.

A main question or instruction/prompt from an assignment is one of the most important aspects you need to consider when writing an essay.

‍Essays are generally structured in three main sections as seen below:

Introduction

In the introduction, you should discuss the context or problem you are addressing. Be sure to clearly state your position or solution to the problem, typically at the end of the introduction. Monash University offers excellent resources on academic writing. Check out their Student Academic Success - How to build and essay - Writing an introduction, to see an annotated sample introduction.

Paragraphs

In the middle section or ‘body’ is where you develop your ideas in response to your argument. You need to be able to provide examples and evidence using the appropriate citation.

The best way to articulate your ideas is by following the TEEL structure as shown in this graphic.

Each paragraph should use this structure, it is recommended that you develop one idea or argument per paragraph.
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If you would like to see a real annotated sample have a look at Student Academic Success - How to build and essay - Writing a body paragraph.

Conclusion

A conclusion in an essay is the final paragraph or section that wraps up the discussion, summarises the main points, and provides closure to the reader. Its primary purpose is to restate the thesis statement or main argument presented in the introduction and to reinforce the significance of the essay's findings or arguments.

The conclusion serves as the final opportunity for you to leave a lasting impression on the reader and to reinforce the central message or argument of the essay. It should be concise, well-written, and leave the reader with a sense of satisfaction and understanding.

To see an example on how to articulate a conclusion have a look at Student Academic Success - How to build and essay - Conclusion to see an annotated sample conclusion.

Reports

Writing reports will be an important part of your academic and working life. Here, you will be informing an audience about a particular topic.

This important part of your studies will become very useful for your future career as reports are commonly used in many workplace situations.

Make sure you understand the difference between essays and reports, for example the structure is different. Check the following figure to understand the main differences between a report and an essay.

Structure

Check out how reports are structured, keep in mind that these may vary depending on the field of study.

Report writing at university is not just about fulfilling an academic requirement; it's a comprehensive learning exercise that equips you with essential skills needed for both your academic and professional future.

The following links may guide you with a few examples on how to write reports.
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Queensland University of Technology(QUT) How to write a report

Australian National University Report Writing

Case studies

Writing a case study involves a detailed examination of a subject (such as a person, group, event, or phenomenon) to uncover new insights or understandings. It's a common academic assignment in fields like business, education, health sciences, social sciences, and more. Crafting a compelling case study requires systematic research, critical thinking, and clear, structured writing. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you write an effective case study.

Depending on your field of study this structure might change but generally, case studies include the following sections:

Some useful tips for you to consider when writing a case study are:

Start with a compelling introduction that captures the significance of the case and its broader implications.
Throughout your case study, support your analysis with evidence from your research. This can include quotations, statistics, and theoretical analysis.
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives within your case study.
Don’t just describe but also analyse and interpret the significance of your findings.
Discuss the implications of your findings for theory, practice, or policy. Consider what lessons can be learned or what future research could be inspired by your study.
If possible, have a peer or mentor review your case study. Fresh eyes can catch errors and provide valuable and constructive feedback.
Ensure that your case study is clearly written and logically structured. Check for any gaps in your analysis or areas that need more explanation.
Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
Adhere to the required citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) for your field of study. Properly cite all the sources you used to prevent plagiarism.
When you write a case study you have a great opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, enhancing your analytical and problem-solving skills. It also contributes to the body of knowledge in your field, making it a valuable academic endeavour.

Have a look at the following video for more detailed instructions on how to nail writing a case study.

You may also find the following links quite useful:

Monash University Writing a Case Study

UNSW Sydney: Writing a Case Study

Monash University six steps to approaching a case study

Oral presentations

A huge component and assessment type is oral presentations. These can not only be nerve racking for some, but also intimidating.

Some of the most common reasons why these end up being a challenging component in higher education are:

Many students experience fear or anxiety when speaking in front of a group. This fear can stem from a variety of factors, including concerns about being judged by peers or academic staff, fear of making mistakes, or a lack of confidence inspeaking abilities.
Oral presentations may be a relatively new experience. They may not have had many opportunities to practice public speaking skills in the past, leading to uncertainty about how to effectively structure and deliver a presentation.
Presenting information verbally requires students to organise their thoughts coherently and concisely. Some students may struggle with structuring presentations in a logical manner or may have difficulty expressing their ideas clearly under pressure.
For students whose first language is not the language of instruction at the university, oral presentations can pose an additional challenge.
Oral presentations often come with time constraints, requiring students to convey their message within a limited timeframe. This can be challenging for students who have difficulty managing their time effectively or who tend to speak too quickly or too slowly.
Students may feel pressure to perform well during oral presentations, especially if they know that their performance will be evaluated. Fear of receiving a poor grade or negative feedback can contribute to stress and anxiety, further impacting their ability to deliver a confident presentation.
Individual factors such as introversion, shyness, or communication disorders can also contribute to the challenge of oral presentations for some students.