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Analyse your topic

Before you dive into research mode, make sure you really understand what the question is asking. Break it down into smaller parts and check that you know what each term means. This simple step will give you a clear starting point for your work.

Assessment topics often specify the format (essay, report, case study, etc.), but still allow for different approaches. Some topics may be broad. Check your unit description and assessment criteria to see what skills and knowledge your lecturer wants you to demonstrate.

Understanding your assessments

Steps to analyse your topic

Identify the type of assessment task you're being asked to create. It may be an essay, report, reflective writing, or another writing type. Knowing this identifies how to structure your response to the task question. You do not need to invent the structure, either; for information about different types of tasks, explore assessment types.

Next check the word limit. This will guide your research and how detailed your response can be. Similarly, find out how many academic sources you are required to incorporate into your writing.

Key words are the 'focus' that you will need to explore or examine in detail in the task. Key words are important as they are used as starting point in your research. That is, you will enter the key words into the library's online search engine.

Example

The key words are in [brackets].

Outline the [history] of [one social work theoretical perspective] developed between 1980 and 2000, identifying its [origins] and [practical applications]. In addition, discuss [two critiques] of your [chosen perspective].

Remember that key words:

  • may need to be defined, e.g., Piaget's theory, Tort, Therapeutic communication
  • tell you what to focus on, e.g., benefits, challenges, application

Limiting words can also be viewed as key words, but they have a specific focus. Limiting words relate to:

  • a population (who?)
  • a place (where?)
  • a period (when?)

Example

The limiting words are bracketed.

Outline the history of one social work theoretical perspective developed between [1980 and 2000], identifying its origins and practical applications. In addition, discuss two critiques of your chosen perspective.

Not all topics include limiting words. Some disciplines ask you to research a particular group of people in a specific location. In nursing, for example, you may be asked to:

Compare the health needs of adolescents living in rural Australia in the 1960s with those of today. Discuss these changes in the context of community health nurses.

If we bracket the limiting words in this example, we see five groups:

Compare the health needs of [adolescents] living in [rural Australia] in the [1960s] with those of [today]. Discuss these changes in the context of the work of [community health nurses].

By identifying these limiting words, we see that our research for this essay will be limited to Australian publications. Highlighting limiting words ensures that you don’t research irrelevant areas.

Instructional words tell you 'how' to respond to a topic, such as 'outline' and 'discuss'. Isolate any instructional words - these are used by your lecturer to explain how they want you to respond.

Here are some of the common ones:

  • account for - give reasons for
  • analyse - divide into parts and describe each part and explain their relationship; discuss a problem
  • describe - give details, recount or relate in sequence to illustrate the topic
  • discuss - give both sides of an argument (evidence) and then your own opinion (NB: 'discuss' can be used by lecturers to mean 'describe' – clarify this with them directly.)
  • evaluate - look at reasons for and against, draw conclusions (you may judge in favour of one side)

Usually, your assignments will require you to focus only on presenting ideas and providing evidence. Some may expect you to present your own opinion, or to identify one outcome as better than another. This is why identifying the instructional words is important.

Example

The instructional words are in [brackets].

[Outline] the history of one social work theoretical perspective developed between 1980 and 2000, [identifying] its origins and practical applications. In addition, [discuss] two critiques of your chosen perspective.

This final step identifies parts of the topic around which you might organise your ideas. Breaking the question down into smaller segments may make it easier to understand and address. This process can also help you to start thinking the structure of your response.

Example

Three sections are identified.

Discuss how the essay writing process develops brain neurons. Describe three specific academic skills and outline their impact on certain areas of the brain.

  • First segment: discuss how the essay writing process develops brain neurons.
  • Second segment:  describe three specific academic skills.
  • Third segment: outline their impact on certain areas of the brain.

In this instance, you would address each segment individually. You may find some overlap between the segments, which then enriches your discussion.

Once you have taken these steps, you are ready to start planning to start your first draft.

Assessments often relate to key unit content or concepts which you have been studying.

Check back over your unit materials to see if anything relates to your topic. This may include:

  • assigned readings
  • lecture slides
  • your notes
  • other relevant materials

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