Studying in Australia: The Study Abroad Student's Guide to Success

3. Look for direction words in the questionDirection words tell you how to manage thecontent. For example:• Discuss: look at the issue from different sides;present arguments for and against• Describe: expository writing; talk aboutsomething• Outline: give a relatively brief account ofsomething• Critically analyse: engage critically with anissue; evaluate it and provide a clear positionof the value of the arguments involved• Compare and contrast: look for and examinesimilarities and differencesYou will need to draw on a wide range ofresources to describe the issues and analyse thisresearch to reach your own conclusions. Onceyou have identified the issue within your questionand what you are expected to do with it, then itbecomes easier to generate brainstorm ideas todirect your research.4. Brainstorm ideas related to the question;consider a possible structureBefore you begin to research your assignmentquestion, it helps to generate as many questionsas possible to direct your efforts. A good startingplace is to apply the questions what, where, who,why and how to the topic. Questions related toapplication and theoretical basis, aims, functions,roles, meanings, etc. will also directyour research.Prior to starting in-depth research, do somepreliminary reading, such as the relevant chapterin your textbook, or the tutorial readings. This willprovide an understanding of the issues involvedand answer some of the more basic questions.It will also provide you with some search termsyou could use, and may also assist with locatingfurther readings – look at bibliographies providedin these readings.Your brainstorming of the topic will not stop atthis stage. While you are researching, you cango back and amend or add to your brainstormedideas. Once you have an idea of what you arelooking at, consider organising the response intosections of whatyou want to discuss first, second andso on: this provides the basis for an essay plan.5. ResearchYou may already have an idea of what positionor perspective you will take with the question;keep this in mind as you are conducting yourresearch. Classify the material you read in relationto this position; e.g. authors who support yourpoint of view and those who provide alternativeperspectives.Be an active reader during research; dosomething with the text as you read. A good ideais to take notes as you read; this helps embed theinformation and saves you time going back andfinding or reviewing information you have alreadyread.As you read, transfer the ideas directly into youressay plan in bullet point form: you can flesh theseideas out later. Also, make sure you take note ofauthor’s names, titles, page numbers and URLs inorder to go back and get full reference details laterif you need them.At home the assignments camevery quickly, so you didn’t havea choice – you had to do themstraight away. Whereas here youfeel you have the option to wait.But really you don’t! You haveto start straight away to makethem good enough for how muchthey’re worth.Jessica, USA26 http://services.unimelb.edu.au/academicskills