Writing for specific assignments

Writing for specific formats resources

In this section, you will find resources for writing specific assignments. These resources were developed for particular courses and may make reference to specific weightings, word counts and due dates.

They can be used to draw your students' attention to the organisation and structure of particular formats of assessments.

Use the table of contents to the right to find the category and type of resource which you want for your class.

You can also browse an online folder of all the general resources on reading, in alphabetical order.

If you wish to find a resource addressing a specific teaching point, you can also use a term or word to search the search the database of all Language and Literacies resources.

Note that these resources address points about writing for specific assignment formats in tertiary courses.

There are also sections on resources which look at the general writing process and on English Language Proficiency.

To allow for easier searching, the resources for writing an essay have been subdivided into the following steps:

Interpreting the essay task

1. Interpreting the essay task Class video presentation (10:52 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Discusses a specific assessment task focusing on an essay plan and annotated bibliography. Includes two examples.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually ( more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=e7854c4e-a05b-41e9-993f-aa88003ef0b4 You can also download the presentation (68 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust them to suit your class) (250 KB)

Download the script (you can adjust to suit your class) (17 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation (10.4 MB) (See more information)

2. Interpreting an essay task Class video presentation (11:10 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Discusses interpreting an esssay task, including examples, resources the student will need, and locating quality references.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually ( more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=e7854c4e-a05b-41e9-993f-aa88003ef0b4 . You can also download the presentation (68 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust them to suit your class) (250 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation (10.4 MB) (See more information on this)

Browse an online folder of all the resources on writing for specific formats

Reading for the essay

1. Reading for the essay Class video presentation(13:33 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Covers types of academic texts, teacher expectations, efficient reading, critical reading for an essay, transforming reading into writing.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually ( more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=2aa1ea65-0911-46d7-ba97-aa760026e5d1 You can also download the presentation (38 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 4.3 KB)

Download the script (you can adjust to suit your class) (18 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation (12.1 MB) (See more information)

2. Reading strategies Class presentation and Teacher script

PowerPoint slides and script for a class presentation on reading strategies for assessment and for writing essays. Includes information on reading for specific information, strategies for efficient reading, text structure, using a reading log, and an example.

Download the PowerPoint slides (946 KB)

Download the word document Teacher script (29 KB)

Browse an online folder of all the resources on writing for specific formats

Planning the essay

1. Essay plan and annotated bibliography Class video presentation (9:47 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Covers writing an essay plan, and good and bad examples of essay plans and annotated bibliographies.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=bbf89d00-a297-4535-92ee-aa76003f67e6 You can also download the presentation (96.4 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 231 KB)

Download the script (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 17 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation ( 9.9 MB) (See more information)

2. Essay plan, esssay structure and critical thinking Class video presentation (10:22 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Includes information on the essay writing process, essay structure, and gives examples of different sections. Includes slides on demonstrating critical thinking and integrating evidence.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=e1d6a2a4-a568-4e0c-860e-aa7a000b94b4 You can also download the presentation (51 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) (275 KB)

Download the script (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 20 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation (Zip file, 10.4 MB) (See more information)

3. Essay plan Presentation for students

PowerPoint slides and a teacher's script for a class presentation on developing an essay plan, including information on interpreting the task, the steps involved in producing an essay plan, and examples.

Download the slides (218 KB)

Download the script (26 KB)

4. Sample essay plan Handout for students

An exemplar essay plan handout for students.

Download the word doc (46 KB)

Browse all the resources on writing for specific formats

Writing the essay

1. Essay writing 1 Class video presentation (18:25 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Covers interpreting the essay task, the writing process, writing critically, essay structure, integrating evidence and referencing, paraphrasing and summarising, and reporting verbs.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=a11e3870-aa3b-4dac-aaeb-aa76005d5254 You can also download the presentation (161 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 823 KB)

Download the script (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 18 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation ( 14.7 MB) (See more information)

2. Essay writing 2 Class video presentation (14:10 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Covers what an academic essay is, essay structure, instruction words, reporting verbs, organisation of the body, and examples of introduction, body and conclusion.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=9af596d7-da6f-4306-bec7-aa760062ab57&query=writing%20the%20essay You can also download the presentation (138 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 717 KB)

Download the script (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 30 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation (Zip file, 11.3 MB) (See more information)

3. The essay 2017 Class video presentation (8:03 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Covers the essay writing process and structure, with examples of the sections, and including information on demonstrating critical thinking.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=994d49a5-ed3a-4a61-8769-aa7a000b11bf You can also download the presentation (60 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 257 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation ( 8.6 MB) (See more information)

4. Essay writing workshop Presentation slides

PowerPoint slides for a full class presentation on writing an essay, including interpreting the task, locating sources, essay structure, use of 'voice' in discussion, reporting verbs and language usage.

Download the PowerPoint slides (900 KB)

5. Essay writing workshop 2 Presentation slides

PowerPoint slides for a short class presentation on writing an essay, including unpacking the topic, introduction, body, conclusion and providing evidence.

Download the PowerPoint slides (40 KB)

6. Sample essay Handout for students

An exemplar essay handout for students.

Download the word doc (35 KB)

Browse all the resources on writing for specific formats

Reviewing and editing

1. Revising your essay, proofreading and editing Class presentation (5:00 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Covers writing the first draft, organising paragraphs, and reviewing. Includes an essay checklist.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=ef4ebdd2-4698-43d9-956f-aa7a0019c1c6 You can also download the presentation (28 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 203 KB)

Download the script (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 16 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation ( 5.3 MB) (See more information)

Browse all the resources on writing for specific formats

Writing for case studies

1. Writing for a case study Class video presentation (7:36 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Covers the definition and purpose of a case study, the processes involved, examples of case studies, structure of the answer, examples of introduction, body and conclusion.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=c2143efb-d911-4172-89e4-aa7300531a6b You can also download the presentation (31 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) (426 KB)

Download the script (you can adjust to suit your class) (26 KB)

Download a student handout ( 327 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation ( 6 MB) (See more information)

Browse an online folder of all the resources on writing for specific formats

Critiquing a website

1. How to critique a website Presentation slides and Teacher notes

PowerPoint slides and teacher script for a classroom presentation on the process for critiquing a website, including assessing the audience and purpose, navigation, currency, design and st ructure, and content.

Download the Presentation slides (169 KB)

Download the word doc (25 KB)

Browse an online folder of all the resources on writing for specific formats

Doing a literature review

1. Literature review Presentation slides

PowerPoint slides for a classroom presentation on the process of completing an annotated bibliography or literature review. Includes definitions and examples.

Download the slides (330 KB)

2. Overview of a literature review Student handout

Word document for students outlining what a literature review is, and why literature reviews are undertaken.

Download the word doc (45 KB)

3. Structure of a literature review Student handout

Word document for students outlining how to structure aliterature review, and the processes for producing a literature review.

Download the word doc (50 KB)

4. Writing taxonomies Student handout

Word document for students with a colour coded diagram on writing taxonomies.

Download the word doc (38 KB)

5. Literature review Checklist

Word checklist for students with points to consider when producing a lit reivew.

Download the word doc (45 KB)

Browse an online folder of all the resources on writing for specific formats

Doing a comparative study

1. Comparative study Class presentation (15:45 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Discusses a specific assessment task requiring students to research and write a message using different formats (text, email and formal letter). Discusses the process of producing each format style.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=aa593c95-d561-4b4b-9a9c-aa7a0001cda4 You can also download the presentation (67 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) (605 KB)

Download the script (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 20 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation (15.1 MB) (See more information)

Browse an online folder of all the resources on writing for specific formats

Writing a reflective report or essay

1. Reflective report or essay Class presentation (14:40 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Discusses the process of writing a reflective text, incvluding information on what a reflective essay is, pre-writing tasks, the reflective practice model, structure and language for the essay, and examples of different sections.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=ba1c560d-79ed-4edb-9057-aa7a00025bcd You can also download the presentation (50 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 306 KB)

Download the script (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 17 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation ( 13.8 MB) (See more information)

Browse an online folder of all the resources on writing for specific formats

Writing a rationale

1. Writing a strong rationale Presentation slides

PowerPoint slides for a classroom presentation on the process of writing a rationale, including definition, points to consider, matching rationales to media outlets, and an example of a weak rationale.

Download the slides (169 KB)

2. How to write a rationale Starter sheet

Starter sheet for teachers on the process of writing a rationale, including definition and justification, and process.

Download the pdf doc (38 KB)

3. Creative response rationale Guidelines for students

Handout for students on how to approach the task of writing a rationale.

Download the pdf doc (24 KB)

Browse an online folder of all the resources on writing for specific formats

Reviewing a text

1. Writing a review Student handout

Student handout for reviewing a text, including definition, structure, and checklist for the process.

Download the word doc (38 KB)

Browse an online folder of all the resources on writing for specific formats

Writing a report

1. Report writing 1 Class video presentation(12:14 mins)

Video presented by Dr Shashi Nallaya looking at report writing for a specific assessment.Covers definition and structure of a report, presentation of findings, and examples.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=6ff66542-da51-49bd-89b1-aa75018b22d0 You can also download the presentation (60 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can adjust to suit your class) ( 2 MB)

Give students an interactive online presentation ( 13.4 MB) (See more information )

2. Report writing 2 Presentation for students

PowerPoint slides for a class session looking at the characteristics and structure of a report, preparation for writing a report, and how to write the sections, with examples.

Download the slides (645 KB)

3. Report writing for Psychology Student handout

Word document developed for Psychology students, focusing on the specific sections and content for a report in this field.

Download the word doc (257 KB)

4. Report writing for Social Work Student handout

Word document developed for Social Work students, focusing on the specific elements of a report in this field.

Download the word doc (42 KB)

Browse an online folder of all the resources on writing for specific formats

Writing for PR

1. Writing for PR Class video presentation (13:50 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Covers purpose and content of media releases, targeting and structure. Includes information on evidence, language, and format.

This presentation can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).

Give this link to a class to watch individually (more information): https://unisa.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=9959cb5d-589b-4b56-ab38-aa7a001ebe78 You can also download the presentation (44 MB) as a video file from this link (more information).

Download the slides (you can ajdust to suit your class) ( 215 KB)

Give students an interactive online presentation (you can adjust to suit your class) (12.6 MB) (See more information)

2. How to write a professional brief Presentation for students

PowerPoint slides for a class presentation on developing a briefing paper, with accompanying student handout and template. Includes information on definition and components of a briefing paper, points to consider before writing, style and structure.

Download the slides (311 KB)

Download the student handout for 'Developing a briefing paper' (43 KB)

Download the student template for a briefing paper (222 KB)

3. How to write briefing notes Student handout

Handout for students on the public sector writing practices for briefing notes. Focus on style and content, using an example scenario.

Download the pdf file (32 KB)

4. Writing a media backgrounder Presentation for students

PowerPoint slides for a class presentation on the process of writing a media backgrounder. Includes definition and purpose, writing steps, and an example.

Download the slides (476 KB)

Browse all the resources on writing for specific formats

Formulating an action plan

1. Action plan Class video presentation (6:29 mins)

Video presentation for students prepared by Dr Shashi Nallaya. Covers the definition and purpose of an action plan, including a template.

This presentation, and the presentations below, can be shown to students as a video, or as an interactive online presentation, which can be controlled by the student. The students watch the presentation on 'players' which allow them to move forward or back through the slides, progress at their own speed, annotate or highlight individual slides, and search the text. (See more information).

Watch the video in the Panopto viewer (It will open in a new browser window, and you may need to log in with your UniSA login details).