Tutors will be able to offer guidance on writing style, structure and other aspects of coursework assignments. However, you will not be able to benefit from such guidance if you do not start planning and preparing your coursework well in advance of the deadlines.

You must show evidence of academic reading in your coursework and you must also properly acknowledge the sources from which you have taken ideas, arguments and quotations. You need to do this according to an approved system for academic referencing. Failure to do so could lose you marks or, worse still, constitute plagiarism. As you will see from reading different academic materials, there are several approved systems for providing references and bibliographies. See the following web site for an explanation of the MLA system of reference encouraged by the Department of Film, TV, & Media Studies: Purdue University Online Writing Lab guide.

Note: when researching and taking notes, it is vital that you note down information such as relevant page numbers, full titles and publication details as you will be required to provide this information in your assignment, in the form of references and a bibliography (a list, arranged alphabetically by author’s surname, of all works cited in your assignment).

Coursework must be typed: handwritten assignments will not be accepted.

Always use 12pt or larger type. Select a clear, crisp font (e.g. Times, Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica or Verdana). Do not use fancy fonts.

Essays must be double-spaced and allow a reasonable margin for the marker’s comments.

Please do not hand your essays in plastic folders or in sheet protectors.