There was a time (not very long ago) when students had to spend hours in the library, in search of research materials. Even then, it was quite difficult to produce assignments that could stand out in the class. At present, things are more convenient for students as digitization has made information readily available to everyone. Unfortunately, preparing an exceptional assignment is still no mean feat.
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The internet is an ocean of resources. However, the resources that it offers are available to everyone across the world. So, relying on them might not be the best idea if you want to score impressive grades. Wouldn’t it be smarter if you work on improving the overall quality of the assignment instead? You are in luck because we know some sure-fire hacks that can help you prepare a stunner assignment.
1. Understand the requirements of the topic:
Assignment topics can be deceptive at times. There are instances where students fail to interpret the topic and end up drafting something different from what was expected. To avoid such sloppiness, you must study the topic mindfully before pursuing it any further.
By studying the topic, you can clearly understand what’s expected of you. Clarity will boost your confidence to write the task. Furthermore, with a better understanding of the topic, you can create a more appropriate outline for the content.
2. Derive data from authentic sources:
Information might be available to everyone, but there’s a catch. Since the majority of the online data is generated by users, you cannot really trust everything on the internet. However, you can still gather authentic data if you know where to look for it.
Wikipedia has a huge pool of data, but that’s unreliable. You should always look for online sources such as government websites, university websites, the websites of reputed organizations (like PWC, Gartner, Ernst and Young, etc.), and e-newspapers for relevant information. Libraries are still a better source of research material than the internet.
3. Make a plan of action before you dive in:
When you are done with gathering relevant data for your assignment, you still have a crucial thing to do before you can move on to the drafting segment. Always create an outline for the assignment. This practice can help you create a content that has a logical flow of information.
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The outline is the intended structure of the assignment that you are going to write. It serves as a roadmap for the whole assignment writing. Having the blueprint for the assignment makes writing a lot easier. Professional assignment writers do that all the time.
4. Always stick to the instructions:
Being a rebel may sound cool in movies. When it comes to academics, you need to stick to the instructions given by the professor (if you want to score impressive grades). You may wonder how that would make your assignment stand out. Interestingly, a majority of the students fail to comply with all the instructions.
Moreover, following the instructions and academic guidelines throughout the assignment puts you in a good light in the eyes of your professor. But will it improve the quality? Yes, indeed. The key to an impressive assignment is often hidden in the instructions. If you follow the instructions, you might just submit a copy that is nothing short of brilliant.
5. Use shorter paragraphs for better readability:
Avoid huge chunks of paragraphs and change the paragraphs after writing 3-4 lines. The amount of white space on your content is often more important than the information itself (information is important too).
It is ideal to go to the next paragraph when you discuss different things. But if an idea is taking too many words, try splitting the long paragraph into smaller ones. Begin those smaller paragraphs with transition words (like moreover, furthermore, however, nevertheless, etc.). Also, try to put diagrams, charts, and graphs in the content to break the monotony. Also, make the most of visual element.
6. Create concise content with bulleted lists:
While drafting the assignment, don’t just rely on paragraphs. Make use of bulleted lists and number lists to create concise and impactful content. Bulleted and numbered lists are easy to follow, making it easier for the readers to understand the point you are trying to make.
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Besides, they take smaller space to describe the argument. It boosts the readability of your assignment even further. However, there’s no hard and fast rule that says you must use bulleted or numbered list in the content. If your assignment has no scope for such lists, just stick with shorter paragraphs.
7. Use subheadings to divide the content:
Another way to enhance the readability of your assignment is by segmenting the content with proper subheadings. Several chapters in the paper can divide the content into a number of segments. You can segment those chapters into smaller chunks of content with proper use of subheadings.
Subheadings can be quite useful for assignments that can’t be divided into chapters. When a reader skims through your content, these subheadings offer him/her a better idea about the content. In fact, properly used subheadings can compel a reader (i.e., your professor in this case) to go through the entire content.
8. Leave no room for errors:
Lastly, it is important to make sure there are no mistakes in the assignment. Read your content to identify the areas that need improvement. Identify all the errors (regarding grammar, spelling, punctuation, information, etc.), and rectify it before submitting the content.
However, proofreading won’t help you get rid of all the errors. You need to identify the traces of plagiarism that can set you apart in the class (but not in the way you expect). There are several plagiarism checkers available in the market that can identify duplicate content in your assignment. Mark them and replace them with fresh content and/or cite the sources properly.
# Bonus tip:
While these aforementioned hacks can help you create remarkable content, it is also advised to use examples while driving a point home. Readers are interested in assignments that establish arguments by using relevant examples. After all, examples are easy to follow and they make the content more relatable for the readers.
Parting thoughts,
Even though the tricks mentioned above are referred to as infallible, it depends a lot on how you plan to use them while writing an assignment. There’s no point believing that these tricks will make you the start of the class overnight. However, they can definitely boost your chances of scoring the best grade.