Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

This week’s topics

Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

1. Unpacking the assignment brief and criteria
2. Finding and evaluating sources
3. Planning and referencing
4. Academic writing workshop
5. Planning your search strategy 2025
6. Academic reading and writing in English Part 6: How to cite sources
7. The credibility of sources

What you will be able to do

• 1.1 Explain what is meant by case law.
• 1.2 Identify examples of case law.
• 1.3 Explain how case law precedent is followed by other courts.
• 2.1 Explain where to find legislation.
• 2.2 Identify reasons why the statute was created and what function it is meant to perform.
• 2.3 Identify whether a statue or section is in force.
• 2.4 Identify supporting material inside a statute.
• 3.1 Plan and structure various types of legal assignments.
• 3.2 Explain the role of legal citation in academic assessments.
• 3.3 Accurately reference legal citations in written text.
• 4.1 Identify and record development needs and specify priority areas for development.
• 4.2 Describe the range of approaches to learning and study used.
• 4.3 Explain the importance of independent learning skills.
• 4.4 Create a plan for further improvement.

Activity

Start with this week’s 4 videos, then: Plan the unit assignment against every criterion; source and reference the evidence.

Study materials

Videos

• Academic writing workshop · YouTube · University of Staffordshire Student Life · 14 min · for registered students
• Planning your search strategy 2025 · YouTube · University of Staffordshire Student Life · 24 min · for registered students
• Academic reading and writing in English Part 6: How to cite sources · YouTube · Leiden University - Faculty of Humanities · 17 min · for registered students
• The credibility of sources · Oak National Academy, Key Stage 3 (lower secondary level) · for registered students

Further resources

• Writing for Success, ch. 8.1–8.3: Prewriting, outlining and drafting · PDF · Saylor Academy, textbook chapter; pp. 281–318 · for registered students
• Evaluating Information: Applying the CRAAP Test · PDF · Other, report · for registered students
• Writing Guide, 10.8: Spotlight on Citation · PDF · OpenStax, textbook chapter; pp. 346–347 · for registered students