TITLE PAGE: In the Arden Assessment Cover Page, under the Assessment Title, students should indicate that this is a – BRIEFING PAPER/NOTE ASSIGNMENT*Penalties would apply if this section is absent from the assignment, as it forms part of the assignment structure.
Note: In this briefing paper assignment, students are advised to follow and cover all or (depending on the relevance) most headings/subheadings of the assignment structure provided below. Furthermore, students are encouraged to use formal English language throughout the assignment along with use of the relevant technical terms mostly focused and stressing on the key concepts around ‘Global Health’, ‘Sustainability’ and ‘Resilience’.- with a topic that is focussed around one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, in a country of your choice.
Remember that the Module assignment brief and the 4000 (+10% max) word count must be adhered to.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
- This should explain what the assignment is about and give an overview of your approach to putting the portfolio together. *Penalties would apply if this section is absent from the assignment. Remember that this section is about 5% of the total word count assignment and part of the assignment structure.
2.0 THE PURPOSE (usually stated as the issue, topic or purpose).
- Issue (also Topic, Purpose): A concise statement of the issue, proposal or problem. This section should explain in one or two lines why the briefing paper matters to the reader. It sets out in the form of a question or a statement what the rest of the note is about.
3.0 A SUMMARY OF THE FACTS (what this section contains, and the headings/subheadings used here will be determined by the purpose of the briefing paper/note).
- Background: The details the reader needs in order to understand what follows (how a situation arose, previous decisions/problems, actions leading up to the current situation). Typically, this section gives a brief summary of the history of the topic and other background information. What led up to this problem or issue? How has it evolved? etc.
- Current Status: Describes only the current situation, who is involved? What is happening now? The current state of the matter, issue, situation, etc.
- Key Considerations: A summary of important trends, data, facts, considerations, developments – everything that needs to be considered now. While you will have to decide what to include and what to leave out, this section should be as unbiased as possible. Your aim is to present all the details required for the reader to be informed or to make an informed decision. Keep the reader’s needs uppermost in your mind when selecting and presenting the facts. Remember to substantiate any statements with evidence and to double check your facts. Additional details may be attached as appendices.
- Options (also Next Steps, Comments): Basically, observations about the key considerations and what they mean; a concise description either of the options and sometimes their pros and cons or of what will happen next.
4.0 THE CONCLUSION
- Conclusion and/or Recommendations: Conclusions summarise what you want your reader to infer from the Briefing note. Many readers jump immediately to this section, so be sure it covers the points you most want your reader to be clear about. Do not introduce anything new in the Conclusion. If you are including a recommendations section, it should offer the best and most sound advice you can offer. Make sure the recommendation is clear, direct and substantiated by the facts you have put forward. (approximately 200-250 words)
5.0 REFERENCES
Students must use the AU Harvard Referencing method in this assignment. All references cited in-text must be added here. All quotes must have citations added together with page numbers. The reference list must be in alphabetical order and should not be numbered or bullet pointed.
6.0 APPENDICES (if required):
Students may place any supplementary information here. This could be a table of data, copies of observation forms or notes, extracts from large documents etc.
Study Skills tips for success Self-evaluation questions How do I know I am ready to submit? I have: Self-check list to review before assignment submission a. Have I covered the main points in all questions in sufficient depth?). Addressed all elements of the questions and opportunities to link my discussion to wider literature.
• Checked my work to ensure points raised are relevant to the questions asked, contexts provided and expectations set
• Structured my discussion well and ensured not to jump from one idea to another. I know this because I made good use of connectives to link ideas discussed.
• Made sure not to include too many points or arguments that are irrelevant.
b. Is my writing analytical in style and questioning in approach? • Applied all concepts discussed to a case study and/or Health and Social Care practice, in general, and reached a well-reasoned conclusion.
• Paid specific attention to the relevant key word(s) guiding the assignment question or task.
• Ensured the requirement for the key word has been fully addressed in my assignment.
• Made sure to not just describe what I have read/done and considered the value/significance of the information I included in my discussion.
c. Have I developed and sustained a clear argument throughout my work and supported it with relevant examples? • Checked that my supporting arguments flowed in a clear and coherent way.
• Checked to see if effective paragraphing has been used to organise my arguments and discussion in a logical sequence for my audience.
• Ensured that use of jargons is kept to a minimum and where used, I have defined or explained the meaning
d. Have I referenced all sources used, in the main body and in the reference list?
• Used Harvard referencing clearly and accurately throughout my work.
• Used my own words (in paraphrasing information) as much as possible and where text or information is (quoted) it is presented in quotation marks and clearly referenced following the Arden approach to Harvard.
• Uploaded a draft copy of my work on Turnitin to review its similarity score, and work on parts of the work showing a high similarity before submission.
• Checked to see all references used in-text have been added in my reference list.
• Arranged my reference list alphabetically and checked to see the right assignment is been submitted on iLearn
• Additional skills related comments –You should demonstrate a high level of organisation by applying a good sequence to your work. This includes checking to ensure your coursework is presented well, using the right spacing, font type, size and cover sheet for your programme. A font type of Arial or Times New Roman 11-14 is desirable; with the assignment spaced 1.5 centimetre and the sides justified.
• Quick guide to Harvard referencing: https://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf
