by The Open University
Available in 34 free installments
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Describe and contrast two African poems and either one African story or piece of African music, which you have studied in the course so far. Relate this to the economics and politics of contemporary development.
What are the similarities and differences between the mineralogical compositions of the basalt, S3, and the meteorite, EETA 79001?
It isn't easy, is it? Take, for example, question 3: is it just ?about? Victorian culture? What would your tutor say if you wrote all you know about Victorian culture? He or she would surely comment that you have not focused on the Victorians? dislike of industrialisation and urbanisation and their preference for country life. So, what would your tutor say if you had covered these specific aspects of Victorian culture, but in a purely descriptive way? The feedback could well say that, although you showed a good understanding of these issues, you did not say whether or not you have agreed with this suggestion, as the essay title requires. If you had done that, you would get a good grade. However, you would have achieved an even higher grade if you had commented on the significance of the words ?in general? and defined some of the terms, which could need clarification, such as ?culture? and ?enduring values?.
Take another look at the titles in Activity 9. For each of them, indicate which of the following tasks you are being asked to do:
Do you agree with our choices?
Now look at the title of your next assignment. Ask yourself, ?What is this question asking me to demonstrate?? For example:
(a) specific subject knowledge ? from your recent reading/tutorials/TV programmes/audio cassettes, are there particular aspects of the course that are being sought by this question?
(b) understanding and application of theories and concepts ? is there a combination of these to draw on? (Even if you are being asked to comment on one particular set of ideas or concepts, it is usually expected that you have considered alternatives ? and these may contribute to your analysis.)
(c) an ability to identify links to related sections of your course ? are you expected to make new links for yourself or to notice and comment on links pointed out in course material?
(d) personal experience ? are you expected to draw on this?
(e) skill development ? what particular skill(s) in writing assignments do you feel you need to work on?
Do any of these questions apply to your assignment, or are you being asked to do something quite different? If so, what? If you are still not sure, contact your tutor for reassurance or clarification. Try the approach ?I'm not quite clear whether this assignment is asking me to ? or ??. Or perhaps you could check your reading of the question with another student, to see if your interpretation of it is similar to his or hers.
Remember, this is still your first ? almost surface ? reading of the question. It is important to keep your options open. Don't rule anything out at this stage.
