ASSIGNMENT WRITING GUIDELINE

1. STRUCTURE

Use the broad guideline as provided in the study guide. The assignment would
typically contain the following sections:

• Title Page,
• Table Of Contents,
• Introduction,
• Main body,
• Conclusion,
• Reference list,
• Annexures, if used, appear after the reference list and are numbered
alphanumerically.

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Outlines the topic and gives exciting facts that draw attention and state an opinion; a
question/s might be asked; it might also introduce the subtopics of the essay’s body.

1.2 MAIN BODY

Sub-topics in paragraph format could include:

• Prevalence (try to find application/statistics for SA)

• Applications
• Challenges
• Impact

You may include graphics and visuals.

Keep the following in mind when writing paragraphs:

• A paragraph should be introduced with a topic sentence

• A paragraph needs to be longer than two sentences.

1.3 CONCLUSION

A concluding paragraph must round off the discussion, summarise your main ideas,
and answer the question or opinion in the introduction. Do not add new information in
this part.
2. MAIN HEADINGS AND SUBHEADINGS

2.1 TITLE PAGE

The title page contains the following information:

• Your name,
• student number,
• module name and code,
• due date, and
• the title of the assignment.

2.2 NUMBERING

It is customary to provide numbers to the main headings and subheadings. Use the
alphanumeric system. Number the main headings in your text from 1. The first
subheading will be 1.1, and the first subheading under 1.1 will be 1.1.1.

The main headings and first-level subheadings are usually capitalised. Subsequent
subheadings are in lower case (except those which are typically capitalised) and are
underlined.

3. GENERAL RULES

• Do not start your sentences with a preposition. (for example "of', "to", "in",
"for'', "with" and "on")
• Do not start a paragraph with “It” (e.g. It can cause a whole array of
problems). Nobody will know what ult” refers to.
• After you put a full stop or any punctuation with a dot(; : . !), there are two
spaces. After a comma, there is only one.
• Proof-reading your documents will help you a great deal! Or, get one of
your friends to read it before you hand it in. Use the spell check in WORD
(a red or green underline indicates a mistake).
• It is always good (and much neater) to “justify” your text (CTRL-J).
• Keep your audience in mind. Remember that you are writing for your
lecturer. There is no need to explain or define specific basic terms (e.g.
management is, budgeting is). On the other hand, please make sure that
you know what it means.
 • Put the right information under the right subheading (for example, do not
write about control techniques in the analysis section).
• Use the same format throughout the assignment!
• All your headings and actual text must have the same font size (12). The
information does not look more if you write it bigger....
• Use Arial or Times New Roman
• Line spacing must be 1.5 lines.
• Get your information from a reliable source. “vou” magazine is not a
source for scientific information!
• If you use the internet: GOOGLE is not a web page that you can
reference. it is a search engine.
• Do not falsify information. e.g. you cannot take statistics from the USA and
change the countries name to South Africa!
• Try to find relevant statistics/facts for South Africa if possible.

4. REFERENCING

The Harvard referencing system are used. Refer to “Plagiarism and referencing
(Harvard) Guidelines” available on MOODLE.