26 Formatting your Assignment
While the content of your assignment is important, spend time formatting your assignment clearly so it’s easy for your lecturer or tutor to mark.
Use:
- standard Word processing software (e.g. Microsoft Word, LibreOffice)
- 12-point font
- standard typeface (e.g. Times New Roman or Arial)
- double line spacing
- 3cm margin on all edges of the page
- an indent (tab space) or line space at the beginning of each paragraph (not both)
- page numbers
- a header on each page that identifies your, and other details such as student number, course code, assignment, question, etc.
- any other specifications stated in your task sheet.
Avoid using:
- borders
- word art
- larger typefaces for titles
- unusual fonts.
Remember
Your assignment is not a desktop publishing exercise! It is primarily for you to be assessed on the quality of your ideas and your ability to communicate them in as clear, concise and consistent a way as possible.
The following is a sample essay with annotations showing good practice in formatting, referencing and overall approach to clarity and consistency. There may be more detail than you want to take in at first glance, but looking through this will answer most questions about what to do in setting your written work out clearly and consistently. There is also a link to download a PDF copy, below.
Download the sample annotated essay (PDF, 1MB)
The School of Music Academic Writing Guide (Style Sheet) Section 2 Presentation of Written Work (PDF, 1.6MB) also provides useful information on formatting and setting out your work.
