Ten Typical Problems In Writing Postgraduate Assignments – Master’s Students Journey During Beginning Of Your Assignment Work. A Case Of Overenthusiastic Student.
Assignments are not options anymore in postgraduate studies. There is no anymore possibility of doing Google + Wikipedia + Ctrl C + Ctrl V. Also, the last-minute productiveness is not got going to help complete assignments in time. Postgraduate studies are the highest grade of academic studies only next to Ph D. Hence, for most of the students, it could be the final assignment writing before embarking into careers. Even the assignments can be the key to the right one of your choice and interest. Hence giving the best for them could be not easy, but without an iota of doubt, it is sure worth all its effort.
But writing assignments are easier said than done. All the practical problems, both personal and academic, will hinder the process of Assignment Writing. It is the reason many seek professional assistance to overcome those problems and complete the assignment successfully. Many postgraduate students encounter many such typical problems including:
1. Plagiarism problem
Technology is both a boon and bane for students. It could be an unlimited source of information to write an assignment. But by wrongly using it by way of cut and paste, it is the same technology that nails the students. Many institutions are now equipped with the best plagiarism checking software and could find them within seconds. It could harm the students’ academic and career prospects. Mostly students with lexical problems and those who want to finish the assignment in the last minute tend to copy assignments from the internet and other sources. Hence to have a proper schedule and getting professional help could solve the plagiarism problems for students.
Example:
Plagiarism permitted limits in universities depends on their set of rules. Most of the UK institutions re style=”text-align:justify”quire zero plagiarism and even while using quotes, there should be quotation marks and page numbers. Even in institutions other countries like India certain plagiarism limits are prescribed not above five percent and only to certain parts of research.
2. Lexical issue
Students who are not native English speakers are the most affected with lexical issues. But even for native English speaking students, it is hard to convert their thoughts and ideas into sentences. Putting all of them in an orderly sequence to make the assignments easy for reading and understanding without lexical issues is sure a unique talent. Some students possess them innately, but for many, it is sure an issue which could play spoilsport even with good excellent knowledge of the subject and the assignment. Reading more of such good assignments and with professional help could solve these lexical issues.
Example:
Words like apology may not mean literally asking for an apology but could mean something said in defense. It is from the Greek word “apologia” which means speech I defense. Also, the word time which do not represent any discrete sections of reality.
3.Last-minute blues
Assignment writing is one example of procrastination that students can learn to overcome them. Except for a few, many students tend to postpone even to start writing for a long time. Every time they begin to write, they only worry about how to finish it. But to finish anything, there should be first a starting and determination to finish within a deadline by proper scheduling. Many students believe that they could only give their best at the last minute. But it may work elsewhere, but not in assignments, and it could only end up not completing on time or doing it without quality or the way it should be done. Either way, it could harm the postgraduate grades and also the future with not having the right assignment to show to the prospective employer
4.English proficiency problems
English proficiency problems are not only due to the lack of being non-native English speakers. It is also because of the lack of interest in learning it. And only that could make assignments writing to be free of any grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. Also, it could have a proper structure and even solve lexical issues with correct sequencing and the appropriate words for writing a successful assignment.
Examples:
Proper nouns without capitals like I met dr. Smith in London
Wrong subject verb agreement like He run every day instead of He runs every day
Improper plural and possessive nouns like My parent’s wedding gift is wonderful for My parents’ wedding gift is wonderful
5.Lack of self-belief
The one thing higher study like post-graduation gives is self-belief. Only due to lack of it, many students are not able to write assignments. The thought of how to finish with the limited knowledge and ability is the wrong notion. Only out of comfort zones any achievement is done, and it is also true for assignments. Hence to believe in oneself and starting the assignment will give enough strength, knowledge, and all help to complete the assignment successfully and in time.
6.Getting too involved
If a lack of self-belief is a problem for many students, for some excess competitiveness could be a problem. These competition freaks compare their work with peers and either get elated or depressed depending on their work. It tends them to read more and go for wild searches for the assignment, which may be not necessary for the assignment. Hence to remembering that true competition is only doing the personal best is the only way. Also, while reading from many sources applying note-taking methods like outline method, mind mapping method, Q &A method, among others. It will help to understand the idea and for using it later in a proper way without plagiarism.
7. Formatting problem
Formatting is one thing many students either ignore or not give much importance to it. But it will only lead to losing the vital grades as format improves the quality of the assignment by making it organized properly. Creating an outline with proper heading and sub-headings well in advance could be the best way. Also, the framing of the assignment should be in separate paragraphs with specified word limits for easy readability.
Examples
Using multiple tables
Not including zeros and leaving the space without it
8.Referencing issue
Referencing is another vital aspect of any assignment. With so many kinds of it with unique formatting styles, it is important to choose the right one for the assignment. In all assignments, there are many parts to write references like author name, page numbers, year of publication, sources, and others, done in a proper way for the desired grades.
Example – Choosing the reference style as per the guidelines of the university. If they require Harvard and your referencing is MLA, they you are in problem.
9. Bloom’s Taxonomy understanding
Many institutions prefer a set of objectives and skills for the assignments, and a lack of understanding of them could lead to not the desired results. To know the difference between words like Describe, Analyze, Apply, Synthesis, and others bloom taxonomy understanding will be of great help.
Example
Analysis is a procedure to breakdown a substantial whole into parts and synthesis is right the opposite to combine separate parts into a coherent whole.
10.Technical problems
The other technical problems while writing assignments include
- Lack of subject knowledge
- Taking care of the degree of certainty and uncertainty
- Adjust the level of claim to the cited evidence
Whatever the problems dealing with them head with self-belief and improving skills could help write the postgraduate assignments. Or it is better to seek the assistance of professional help to write assignments.