Title: Writing Assignment: Steps and Resources
Course: Study PrepProg - Improve Your English from B1 to B2 Level > Section: Reading and writing academic texts

Read about the process of the writing assignment before you start.

1) First, choose a topic you want to learn more about. Decide, whether you want to work individually, or with a partner.

Consider, what would be the most useful aspects of the topic to learn about before starting research. At this point it is highly recommended to outline your ideas using e.g. a mind map or a list.

2) Read reliable sources in English about the topic.

Take notes using your own words. Mark each source properly, according to Savonia's standards, as this will help you a lot also later, when writing up the bibliography.

3) When ready with your research, write your own part using your notes.

Write a draft based on your notes. At this point it is good to write more than the word limit of the assignment, as during the editing phases the amount will decrease.

4) Revise your draft.

Ensure that the individual parts in a logical order. Do not format the document yet, as the layout will change as you go.

5) Review and revise the document together.

Correct language mistakes, develop paragraphs using transitional phrases, and pay attention to the checklist here, which explains using academic style in writing. Go through the in-text references, and format them according to the Savonia standard.

6) When the text is ready, write the introduction and the conclusion.

The introduction would provide general information about the topic and its relevance, and explain why you - the author - got interested in it; furthermore, it would explain how the paper is structured.

The conclusion normally restates the most important points or findings.

Proofread the whole document at least once more at this point. It is good to ask someone else to do this for you.

7) Format the document using the Savonia template.

Include the author(s) on the first page, but you do not need to include an abstract. Finalise the bibliography according to the Savonia standard.

8) Read through the whole document, and correct any mistakes you still find.

Now you are ready to submit the document.