Each course requires students to complete writing assignments. To help you successfully complete the
writing assignment requirement, here are some things you need to know.
If you are submitting your writing assignments through the Student Portal, then select one of the
writing prompts displayed in the portal and begin your answer in the text box directly below the writing
prompts. The Unit Essay Exam Text Editor will automatically include all necessary identification
information (i.e., your name, student number, course number, unit number, and essay question) once
you submit your writing assignment for evaluation.
If you are submitting your work via email attachment or U.S. mail, you will need to include your name,
student number, course number, course title, and identify the question number you are answering
followed by the actual question itself (in bold type). Your writing assignment will need to be typed
double-spaced, using a standard font and 12 point type size.
While word count is NOT one of the criteria that is used in assigning points to writing assignment
submissions, students who are successful in earning the maximum number of points tend to submit writing
assignments that fall in the following ranges:
Undergraduate courses: 350 – 500 words or 1 – 2 pages
Graduate courses: 500 – 750 words or 2 – 3 pages
Doctoral courses: 750 – 1000 words or 4 – 5 pages for each essay question (4 essays per unit)
Students can earn a maximum of 25 points for each writing assignment submitted. The following are some
factors the faculty consider as they evaluate your workwith 5 points given for each category:
Standard Essay Format: The faculty will be evaluating your work to see that you have used the
proper format. This includes standard essay format: introduction/body/conclusion. You will find
additional information and sample writing assignments on the Student Portal, including helpful
videos that will walk you through the steps for creating a proper essay.
Understanding the Course Content: The faculty will be evaluating your work to see that you
demonstrate an understanding of course content and that you are covering key concepts discussed
in the textbook. While you may certainly provide additional information from outside sources, you
must use the course textbook as your primary source of information.
A Clear and Well-Developed Response: The faculty will be evaluating you on your ability to present
a well-organized and developed response that is clear in its presentation of the course material.
The Ability to Understand the Course Content: The faculty will be evaluating you on your ability
to examine, assess, evaluate, and/or analyze course content and key concepts. You will need to
demonstrate you can look at the course material in various ways and present your review in your
writing assignment.
Good Presentation: The faculty will be evaluating your work to ensure you have the proper use of
grammar, spelling, punctuation, citation style, etc.
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Writing Assignment Instructions and Strategies for Success
BAM 313 Introduction to Financial Management
Unit 1 Examination
Instructions
40
To help you earn the maximum number of points (25 points) for your writing assignments, we have
developed some strategies for you to use:
Be sure to organize your writing assignment to meet the standard essay format. Students will often
have the answer, but their work is poorly formatted. This is one of the most common critiques
made by faculty membersstudents do not present their work in a standard essay format. The
maximum points are given for work that is clearly developed with effective transitions from point to
point.
Read the question/prompt carefully and be sure you are covering key concepts outlined in the
textbook. Students will sometimes find information only through an Internet source or personal/
professional experience, discuss that information, and not cover key concepts outlined in the
textbook. Be sure you understand what the question/prompt is asking for and discuss the textbook
material first. After that, you may feel free to add additional information as it provides support or
contrast to the textbook material. The maximum points are given for work that demonstrates an
in-depth understanding of the ideas in the assigned readings.
Be sure to present your work in a clear and organized fashion that is easy to follow. The maximum
points are given for well organized writing submissions that respond to the assignment clearly and
directly.
Depending on the question/prompt, you need to demonstrate your ability to evaluate, assess,
and analyze the concepts related to the question/prompt. With this, you are showing the faculty
you have a solid understanding of the material and are capable of looking at it from different
perspectives. The maximum points are awarded for writing assignments that demonstrate both a
solid understanding of the material and make connections between varying points.
Your writing assignment should use proper grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and provide
references/citations. The maximum points are awarded for writing submissions that include all of
these features. Proofreading your work before submitting it to the university will help ensure that
all of these expectations have been met.
References/Citations:
Students must use A.P.A. style citations in their writing assignments. For detailed information on
how to properly cite your work, you may refer to the Student Handbook or to the Student Resources
tab on the main page of the Student Portal.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is intentionally presenting the work of another as your own. This is a serious academic
infraction. Do not simply copy and paste your answers from the Internet and do not copy your
answers from the textbook. All work must be free of any form of plagiarism. Writing assignment
responses must be paraphrased in your own words to explain and reflect the concepts and theories
presented in the textbook. Please keep any direct quotes from the text to a minimum and identify
them with the proper citation.
For additional information on plagiarism, you may refer to the course syllabus, Student Handbook,
or to the Student Resources tab on the main page of the Student Portal.