How to write an assignment

How to Write an Assignment

Introduction to Assignments

• The speaker, Iman Al-Azab, introduces the topic of writing assignments and emphasizes its importance as a student activity.

• An assignment is described as a necessary effort that students must exert to complete their work effectively.

Learning Outcomes from Assignments

• Students learn how to write a Student Research Article, which is published in specialized journals for students.

• The research can be part of a master's or doctoral thesis, highlighting the academic significance of assignments.

• After completing their studies, students may engage in scientific research and publish articles in specialized fields.

Personal Development through Assignments

• Assignments contribute to personal development by enhancing students' skills and character growth.

• Collaboration with peers and faculty members fosters communication skills and teamwork.

Types of Presentations for Assignments

• Various formats for presenting assignments include Word files, PowerPoint presentations, and poster presentations.

Steps for Preparing a Word File Assignment

• Preparation involves selecting a topic that can be divided among multiple students; each student focuses on different aspects of the same subject.

• Each student works on their specific point using available textbooks relevant to their topic.

Research Resources for Students

• Students are encouraged to consult textbooks like "Gray's Anatomy" or "Sadler's Embryology" based on their field of study.

• They should also utilize online resources such as PDFs available on the internet for additional information.

Importance of Reliable Sources

• Understanding basic concepts from textbooks is crucial since they provide accurate information essential for assignments.

• Students should avoid unreliable sources like Wikipedia but can use reputable databases like PubMed for credible research articles.

Utilizing Online Databases

• The speaker highlights the importance of using platforms like Gipsh & Knowledge Bank for accessing scholarly articles related to their topics.

• Creating accounts on these platforms allows easy access to necessary resources and facilitates effective research practices.

Conclusion: Navigating Academic Resources

• Emphasizing the significance of databases such as PubMed, which provides free access primarily to medical literature.

• While some articles may only have abstracts available, they still offer valuable insights into various subjects relevant to students’ studies.

Structuring Information for Academic Writing

Defining Structure and Content

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of defining a specific structure before beginning to write, particularly in organizing subtopics logically.

• They suggest gathering information on each subtopic, writing brief notes about them, and using online resources to compile relevant data effectively.

Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism

• The speaker warns against copying large paragraphs verbatim; instead, they recommend paraphrasing or summarizing key points while maintaining original order.

• They clarify that it's acceptable to take small excerpts as long as they are properly integrated into the writer's own narrative.

Visual Aids in Writing

• The necessity of incorporating images is highlighted, especially when discussing complex topics like anatomy, to enhance understanding for readers.

Formatting Guidelines

• The speaker outlines formatting requirements such as including main titles and subtitles clearly within the document.

• They mention using "Times New Roman" font style with appropriate sizes for titles and subtitles to maintain consistency throughout the document.

Subtitles and Paragraph Structure

• Subtitles should be organized logically without overlapping text; each subtitle must start on a new line for clarity.

• Each paragraph under a subtitle should convey specific information related to that subtitle, ensuring coherence in content delivery.

Writing Style and Grammar Rules

• The speaker discusses writing styles emphasizing proper capitalization at the beginning of sentences and correct punctuation usage throughout.

• They stress that every new sentence must begin with a capital letter followed by appropriate punctuation marks at the end.

Citation Practices

• Proper citation practices are crucial; references used in writing must be acknowledged both within the text and in a dedicated reference section at the end.

How to Write References in Vancouver Style

Understanding Reference Styles

• The speaker introduces the concept of referencing, specifically focusing on the Vancouver style, which is commonly used in academic writing.

• Different journals may require different referencing styles; thus, it’s essential to adhere to specific guidelines provided by each publication.

• In the Vancouver style, references are numbered sequentially as they appear in the text. The first reference cited will be labeled as number one, followed by number two for the second reference, and so forth.

Citing References Within Text

• Reference numbers are typically placed at the end of sentences. This placement helps readers identify sources without interrupting the flow of reading.

• An example is given where a sentence ends with a period followed by a reference number (e.g., "The example is... "). This indicates that readers can refer back to section one for more information about that source.

Clarifying Reference Placement

• While generally placed at the end of sentences, there are instances where reference numbers might be included within sentences. However, this practice is less common and should be approached cautiously.