The steps below follow will help in planning, research and write your findings

What's most essential to remember is to get started early. If you allow yourself the time to plan, study write and revise your work, you'll not need to rush. After you've begun, you'll have something that you can enhance.

Step 1: Understand the task of assessment

Before you begin your examination, make sure you analyse the assessment question or task and know what you've been required to do. It will help you to focus your research.

Step 2 - Plan

Plan out how you'll answer the assessment question or task will help you to focus and make writing your essay easier. You'll have a framework to follow, and you can ensure that you complete the question correctly.

Step 3 - Do your research

The next step is to research your subject and find relevant and reliable facts. There are a few in your course material and suggested readings, but you might also want to try:

The Open Polytechnic Library

online sources

speaking to experts.

Step 4 - Write

It's now time to start writing.

First draft

Draft your first draft according to your plan. Infill in any gaps by noting your main points for each section.

Write without restriction. Write as much as you can, without stressing about whether the words are 100% correct.

It is possible to begin with the conclusion to ensure you know the direction your writing is heading.

Do not introduce the topic until the last minute.

Do not spend too much time trying to make this draft perfect since it's likely to evolve!

Fine tune

Revise your draft and verify that it is in sense and includes everything it should.

Fine tune the wording, and ensure your writing flows nicely.

Keep multiple duplicates of drafts so that you may need to go back to them in the future.

Make a bibliography or reference list.

Step 5 - Review

When you're satisfied, take time out. You should take some time to relax so you can examine your work with a fresh set of eyes. Then edit and proofread.

See the big picture

Have you answered the question you were set? Review your work in relation to the marking schedule , as well as the question.

Does the structure follow correctly? Are the contents logically organized?

Have you included all relevant sections? For example, Introduction, title page, final and reference list?

Does your report read properly with each paragraph flowing smoothly on to the next? An excellent way to confirm this is to read it loudly.

Have you written in your own words, and acknowledged all of your sources?

Does your evaluation look professional?

Make sure you check the information.

Have you ever used academic English (if it was required)?

Make sure you check the grammar punctuation, spelling, and punctuation. Make sure you don't use a simple spell checker (it can't be able to recognize every word).

Check your referencing. Is your APA referencing correct?

Are your pages numbered?

Did you include your name, student ID as well as the details of your assessment and the day on each page?

Tip : If you are able consider asking a friend someone from your family to read your work in case it's difficult to identify mistakes in your own work.

If you're satisfied with your assessment, send your report.