Assignment types - my.UQ - University of Queensland Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer UQ Home Contacts Study Maps News Events Library Give now my.UQ The University of Queensland my.UQ Site search Search Site search Search Menu Home Starting at UQ Programs and Courses Graduation Contact Assignment types Home Information and services Student support Study skills Assignment writing During your studies, you'll need to write different types of assignments. Here's an overview of some common types. This is just a general guide. The specific requirements for your course may be different. Make sure you read through any assignment requirements carefully and ask your lecturer or tutor if you're unsure how to meet them. Once you've identified the type of assignment you need to complete, see our steps for writing assignments to help you get started. Research essay The purpose of a research essay is to: answer a question present an argument based on facts. Audience When you're writing a research essay, think of your target audience as: your peers the broader academic community. Writing style A research essay should: be concise and factual use active voice have a clear structure with a logical flow. Structure and content Don't use headings for sections in a research essay. Organise your content into: introduction body conclusion. See an example argumentative essay (PDF, 714.3 KB) Lab or prac report The purpose of a lab or prac report is to: explain what you did draw conclusions. Audience When you're writing a lab or prac report, think of your target audience as: your peers other researchers wanting to replicate your experiments. Writing style Lab or prac reports should: be clear and objective be written in past tense and passive voice. Structure and content Use headings for sections in a lab or prac report. Describe your actions and results in step-by-step order. Include the following sections: Introduction Methods Results Discussion. Reports usually include tables, graphs and other graphics to present data and supplement the text. To learn how to design and use these elements effectively, see our guides to: incorporating tables, figures, statistics and equations (PDF, 1.2MB) graphic presentation (PDF, 2.9MB). Case study (report) The purpose of a case study is to: examine a situation identify positives and negatives make recommendations. Audience When you're writing a case study, think of your target audience as: professionals (not just academics) politicians the general public. Writing style Case studies should: be written in a factual and authoritative tone be concise and easy to follow. Structure and content Use numbered headings for sections in a case study. Make sure you include: table of contents executive summary. Reports usually include tables, graphs and other graphics to present data and supplement the text. To learn how to design and use these elements effectively, see our guides to: incorporating tables, figures, statistics and equations (PDF, 1.2MB) graphic presentation (PDF, 2.9MB). Article review The purpose of an article review is to: evaluate or critique the article's data, research methods and results. Audience When you're writing an article review, think of your target audience as: your peers people interested in your profession. Writing style Article reviews should: be written in an analytical and evaluative tone use present tense and active voice. Structure and content Don't use headings for sections in article reviews. Your review should include: a brief summary of the article being reviewed your commentary on the quality of the work. Reports usually include tables, graphs and other graphics to present data and supplement the text. To learn how to design and use these elements effectively, see our guides to: incorporating tables, figures, statistics and equations (PDF, 1.2MB) graphic presentation (PDF, 2.9MB). Literature review The purpose of a literature review is to: identify key areas across literature understand current thinking find a 'gap' for research. Audience When you're writing a literature review, think of your target audience as: researchers academics fellow professionals. Writing style Literature reviews should be: written in a formal style objective, but you can include tentative opinions based on the text. Structure and content Use meaningful headings for sections in a literature review (not just 'introduction', 'body' and 'conclusion'). Organise your content into: introduction body conclusion. See how to write a literature review Annotated bibliography The purpose of an annotated bibliography is to: identify key literature on a topic evaluate the usefulness of the literature in relation to the topic inform others. Audience When you're writing an annotated bibliography, think of your target audience as: researchers academics fellow professionals. Writing style Use a formal and objective tone in an annotated bibliography. Structure and content An annotated bibliography should: list works alphabetically by author include an indented 1-2 paragraph summary and critique for each work. Reflective journal The purpose of a reflective journal is to: identify your understanding reflect on your thinking understand how and what you've learned. Audience When you're writing a reflective journal, think of your target audience as: yourself. Writing style In a reflective journal you can use: a more informal style, but make sure it's still clear a conversational tone - write as if you're thinking aloud the first person ('I' or 'me'). Structure and content In a reflective journal you should: refer to texts, lectures and practical situations make links between formal learning and personal meaning. Project report The purpose of a project report is to: report on work that has been done, or plan for work to is to be done. Audience When you're writing a project report, think of your target audience as: an outside organisation, such as a government department or non-government organisation (NGO) Writing style Use a factual tone in a project report. Vary your tense depending on what you're writing about. Use: present tense to outline the current situation past tense to describe work that has been completed future tense to explain work that is proposed. Structure Include the following sections: Title page Acknowledgements Executive summary or abstract Table of contents Introduction and body (no heading) Conclusion and recommendations References or bibliography Glossary Appendices. Reports usually include tables, graphs and other graphics to present data and supplement the text. To learn how to design and use these elements effectively, see our guides to: incorporating tables, figures, statistics and equations (PDF, 1.2MB) graphic presentation (PDF, 2.9MB). Presentation For advice on writing, designing and delivering a presentation, see the presentation skills guide. Assignment types Steps for writing assignments How to write a literature review Learning Advisers Our advisers can help undergraduate and postgraduate students in all programs clarify ideas from workshops, help you develop skills and give feedback on assignments. 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