university of sunderland assignment

• University of Sunderland Library Services
• Library Talk

Q. Finding resources for your assignment

• 1 Archives & Special Collections
• 6 Assignments
• 15 Books & eBooks
• 21 Borrow, Reserve, Renew
• 2 British Library Documents
• 12 Disability Support
• 32 E-Resources
• 21 English Language Support
• 1 Exam Time
• 12 Interlibrary Loans
• 12 Journals & More
• 13 Learning Spaces
• 14 Learning Technology
• 6 Library Charges
• 4 Library Gates
• 9 Library Project
• 7 Library Reading Lists
• 2 Murray Health Faculty Spaces
• 17 Non-Library
• 2 Off-Campus Support
• 12 Opening Hours & Access
• 6 Printing, Photocopying, Scanning
• 2 Referencing
• 4 Study Skills
• 2 SURE & Research
• 2 Temporary Infrastructure Issues
• 3 University Building Works
• 19 University IT
• 6 Your Details

Always start by looking at the recommended reading for each module you are studying on Canvas or at  Library Reading Lists .

When you need to read more widely about your subject, please read on.

Plan your search

• What information do you need to find? Think about the topic you need information on and decide which focused and specific words best describe your topic. •  What type of information are you looking for? Think about the level of information you need and where you would find this information. For example, a website may give you an overview of a topic, a book may provide a detailed explanation, a peer-review journal may provide research, and a database may provide statistics. •  Where should you look for this information?  We recommend Library Search. You can also l ink Google Scholar to your University of Sunderland account.

Where to look

•  Start at Library Search to search across our collections and our subscriptions. •  Consult subject-specific resources recommended by your Academic Liaison Librarian.

Focus your search

• Identify suitable keywords, including synonyms, for your topic. •  Be prepared to change your search as you go if you cannot find what you need. •  Add keywords to make your search more specific. Remove keywords to make your search broader. •  Use filters and advanced search options within Library Search and different databases to increase the relevancy of your search results.

Evaluate what you find

•  Who is the author? What authority or expertise do they have on this topic? Could they be biased on this topic? •  Why was the source created? Who funded or approved this source? •  When was the source last updated? Is this information still relevant or has it been superseded by further research?

What is 'peer review'?

Peer review is the "evaluation of scientific, academic, or professional work by others working in the same field"* and is used to maintain quality and provide credibility. You can filter your results in Library Search to only show peer-reviewed articles. You should still always evaluate sources yourself to be sure the information meets your needs.

Record what you read

Always record what you find, including where and when you read it. This will make it easier to retrace your steps if you need to. Anything you use to write your assignments will need to be included in your bibliography and your reference list.

* 'Peer Review' (2020) Available at:  https://www.lexico.com/definition/peer_review  (Accessed: 12 June 2020).

Links & Files

• View Library Reading Lists online
• Link Google Scholar to your University of Sunderland account
• Find resources using Library Search
• View subject-specific resources recommended by your Academic Liaison Librarian
• Share on Facebook

Was this helpful? Yes 2 No 0

Comments (0)

Related topics.

• Study Skills
• Library Reading Lists

Library Support

Library Search Library Talk Library Calendar Study Skills Development

Our opening hours

University Support

University information.

Accessibility Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies Sitemap

Assignment writing tools

Published 1 October 2021

Published: 1 October 2021

University students write assignments. It’s one of the things most people know to expect when they apply to study.   

But despite that knowledge, it can be a big jump to go from whatever you were doing before, whether that’s school, working for thirty years or raising a family, straight into writing 1,500-word academic essays.   

To help make that transition a little easier, we’ve searched high and low for the most useful tools out there.   

Take a look for some ideas and make your next assignment the best it can be.   

The University of Sunderland in London Library website    

Ok, we’re biased, but we think the absolute best tool you can use for writing any essay is our very own Library website .   

Not only will you be able to find thousands of digital resources, from journal articles to textbooks, the site also includes the highly useful Study Skills  section.   

Check out the  Academic Writing Skills  guide for information on style and proofreading.   

Grammarly    

When it comes to actually writing your assignment, you don’t want to be held back by spelling and grammar mistakes that could lose you marks.    

It would also be nice to have someone check the way you’re writing and let you know if a sentence could be a bit smoother.   

That’s where  Grammarly  comes in. It’s like the spell checker you get on Microsoft Word, but much more accurate.    

Plus, it comes with explanations so you can learn and improve your writing over time.   

Cite this for me   

Citations are not the simplest thing to do, but they are extremely important to get right.    

The best academics source information from all over the place, whether that’s books, journals, websites, conference papers or anywhere else.   

Knowing how to cite them correctly in the body of your text as well as in your bibliography is something you’ll need to learn.   

Cite this for me  helps by letting you search for the thing you’re referencing and providing you with the correct citation in whichever style you are using.   

JStor    

You might already be familiar with  JStor . It’s one of the world’s most popular online academic resources for journals and book chapters.   

As a University of Sunderland in London student, you have access through your normal login.   

Once in, you’ll find digital copies of thousands of written academic pieces that you can use to support your work.   

StayFocused    

One of the biggest challenges to any student studying in 2021 is the easy access to distraction the internet provides.   

That can be particularly difficult if you need to spend your time online reading articles and researching your assignments.   

Stay on track by downloading a focus app. There are loads of them available, but one of the best is the free  StayFocused  Chrome plugin which is easy to install and starts working straight away.   

It will block any sites you tell it to for as long as you want.    

That means if you know you need to spend the next hour working on your assignment, you can block all the social media and news sites you normally spend your time on and just stick with your essay.   

There are loads of other programmes, tools and websites to help you plan, research, write and edit your assignments.   

For now, try out a few of our suggestions and see how much difference they can make to your student experience.   

Do you use any tools to help with your assignments? We’d love to hear about them.   

Share with the University of Sunderland in London community on  Facebook ,  Twitter  and  Instagram  using #WeAreSunLon.

London on a student budget

London is, without a doubt, one of the best places in the world to study. With easy access to some of the country’s most amazing museums, restaurants, theatres and other attractions, there is so much on your doorstep. But it can sometimes feel like those experiences are out of reach when you’re trying to live on a student budget.

What is a Masters degree?

If you are reading this article you’ve already made a great choice – taking the first step towards reaching your goals as a University of Sunderland in London student. But with so many choices, you might need a little help working out where to start.

Growth Mindset

Student support

The Gateway

Health and Wellbeing

Pause Video

We are the life changing

University of sunderland.

• View our courses
• Book an Open Day
• Virtual Experience
• Subject Open Evenings 13 November
• Cost of living hub

We've been shortlisted for University of the Year

I couldn’t be happier that I’ve managed to secure a job in crime prevention and that studying for my degree in criminology has paid off! My whole experience of studying at the University of Sunderland has made me a new and better person. I couldn’t be happier that I’ve managed to secure a job in crime prevention and that studying for my degree in criminology has paid off! My whole experience of studying at the University of Sunderland has made me a new and better person. -->

Read Kayleigh's story

Once again, we're thrilled to say that we've been shortlisted as University of the Year in this year's Times Higher Education (THE) annual awards . Known as the ‘Oscars of Higher Education' these awards recognise the innovation, talent, teaching and commitment of universities across the country.

Hear more about it in our video centred around the nomination.

Shortlisted for University of the Year

Courses starting in early 2025

We are the tomorrow makers.

We have a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses that typically start in January to April each year.

Browse our courses

Sunderland, London, Hong Kong. We're local, national and global.

City Campus, Sunderland

Sunderland has a rich history and one of the UK’s lowest costs of living. City Campus is at the centre of our modern city, and is home to our main administration and support services, library, lecture halls, and our excellent sport facilities at CitySpace. It is the centre for the University’s Arts and Design courses and the Northern Centre of Photography. The Campus is also home to our main Sciences provision, housing our world-famous Pharmacy School, our Living Labs, School of Nursing and the newly-established School of Medicine.

The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's, Sunderland

The University’s impressive riverside campus is within easy reach of both the city and Sunderland’s miles of beautiful beaches. Business, Law, Tourism, Education and Social Sciences are based here, as is the University’s main centre for Computing and Engineering. Media is also taught here, at The David Puttnam Media Centre, which houses a cinema, industry-standard TV studios, lecture halls and the University’s award-winning community radio station,  Spark Sunderland . The riverside is also home to National Glass Centre, a renowned centre for glass design and innovation, as well as the impressive David Goldman Technology Centre, with over 200 computer workstations.

University of Sunderland in Hong Kong

Based on Gloucester Road, University of Sunderland in Hong Kong sits in the vibrant neighbourhood of Wan Chai – a stone’s throw away from the MTR station. Business, Finance, and Tourism are the key disciplines taught at our harbour-side campus in this exciting city.

University of Sunderland in London

The University of Sunderland in London , located near the Canary Wharf financial district, is a base we’re proud of having in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. As well as professionally-focused courses in Business, Finance and Tourism, we also offer health-related programmes, including Nursing, Health and Social Care. Our students have the unique opportunity to live, work and study in an internationally-diverse city that is steeped in rich culture and history. 

Latest news

Why a Sunderland photographer is digging the dirt on soil

Johannah Churchill's latest exhibition is shining a light on the overlooked richness beneath our feet

"There are more living things in one teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people on the planet – it’s magic"

Scholars gather to celebrate the legacy of a great north-east entrepreneur

Alumni and students gathered at the University this week for the twelfth annual Sir Tom Cowie Scholars dinner

The Sir Tom Cowie Sunderland Award was established to support students in achieving their full potential

Creating opportunities and overcoming challenges

An array of speakers from academia, policymaking, the public, private, and third sectors, as well as community leaders, have attended a conference at the University of Sunderland

"It’s clear that only through collaboration can we move forward in creating a more inclusive community across the region"

Play Slider

Pause Slider

Extenuating Circumstances

In this section.

• Returning Students
• Academic Timetables
• Assessments and Exams
• Academic Forms
• Library Services
• Student Handbook
• Letter Requests
• Sunderland Abroad
• PASS (Peer Assisted Study Support)
• Your Academic Contacts

You may find that as an assessment is coming up that you don't have time to do this due to exceptional circumstances beyond your control. If this is the case, you may need to apply for Extenuating Circumstances.

What are Extenuating Circumstances?

Extenuating Circumstances are exceptional circumstances, outside of a the students control, which have prevented them from either demonstrating or acquiring the skills, knowledge, competencies required to meet the learning outcomes associated with an assessment that contributes to the qualification for which they are studying.

Examples of Extenuating Circumstances might include.

• Bereavement
• Serious short-term illness or accident (for example, something that in employment would have led to absence on sick leave)
• Evidenced worsening of a long-term health condition
• Significant adverse family or personal circumstances

You will be able to request extenuating circumstances in order to be able to submit your assessments at a later date without the grade being capped.

You will be able to view the policy and access the form via the Academic Quality Handbook.

EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES | POLICY & FORMS

What happens next?

Once your online Extenuating Circumstances form has been submitted with your supporting evidence, a Programme Administrator will assess each claim and if unambiguous, the claim will be accepted, and you will be advised accordingly by the Programme Administration team.

Students will be notified of the outcome of the Extenuating Circumstance claim within 5 working days of submission where possible, however, timescales may differ slightly in busier periods and in times of institutional closure.

Alternative Arrangements

Where students are unable to meet the specified deadline, they may submit their work late and still have it marked within seven days (one calendar week) of a summative deadline.

Students can submit work late by ONE of the following: 

• Late submission (a penalty will be incurred) up to 7 days post-summative deadline,
• An extension request of up to 7 days post summative deadline. There are no additional late submission options outside the extension period of seven days.

Students can apply to the Module Leader, or nominated representative, for an extension ( normally via university email ) of up to one calendar week. An application for an extension can be at any point up to three (3) days after a summative deadline ASSESSMENT POLICY

To access this site, you must enable JavaScript.

Forgot password?

Enter your Login and we will send you a link to change your password.

Academic Appeals

If you wish to make a challenge to an assessment decision you must use the Academic Appeals Procedure.  This decision can relate to a module mark you have received, your degree classification or a decision relating to your progression or withdrawal on an academic programme.  You must demonstrate grounds for appeal as outlined in the procedure and be aware that disagreement with academic judgement (simply thinking you deserved a higher mark) is not grounds for appeal.

The Academic Appeals Procedure is located here:

Student Casework (Complaints, Appeals Disciplinary and Fitness to Study)

• Services for education institutions
• Academic subject areas
• Peer connection
• Evidence of Studiosity impact
• Case studies from our partners
• Research Hub
• The Tracey Bretag Integrity Prize
• The Studiosity Symposium
• Studiosity for English learners
• Video case studies
• Meet the online team

Academic Advisory Board

Meet the board.

• Social responsibility
• Meet the team
• Join the team

Case study: University of Sunderland

University of Sunderland

The University of Sunderland is integral to the city and the region with its “Life-Changing” mission, through transformative experiences for their students, plus career-focused and professions-facing teaching. The University strives to make a positive difference to society, creating a distinct local and regional impact.  

The University is also one of the UK’s leading widening participation universities and was named The Times/Sunday Times University of the Year for Social Inclusion in 2021. They were also shortlisted for the Times Higher Education University of the Year in 2021, and are a renowned research university with over 70% of published research rated as either world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Why Studiosity?

Sonya McChristie, Learning Design Manager, University of Sunderland explains why they partnered with Studiosity and how they are using the 24/7 study service to support their student’s academic writing needs. Watch the video (04:47):

“We started with Studiosity as a pilot last year and we wanted it to be a strand, a tool to help us to improve that withdrawal rate issue and help to improve student attainment as well to get better grades.”

University of Sunderland have been running the Studiosity pilot for the 2021/22 academic year for their first year undergraduate students. Currently in the evaluation phase, usage rates are exceptionally high at 33% (having increased from 25% at the time of the interview with Sonya McChristie) of the entire first year cohort using Studiosity, and they are already anticipating the continuation of Studiosity in year two for their 2022/23 new first year intake.

The University has used Studiosity in a unique way; they have a targeted ‘Write it right’ intervention for their first year undergrads as soon as they start the first semester. The set assignment is not an academically assessed piece of work, but it allows the university to immediately identify any issues with the quality of their academic writing, and crucially to implement early additional support. This intervention has been initiated directly to help improve both attainment and retention rates.

“...so far student feedback is overwhelmingly positive. They love the service and get a lot from it. Feedback from our academic colleagues as well is also very positive. So they're getting students going to them and saying this service has really helped.” 

• Writing Feedback: 96% satisfaction across 2,706 documents submitted and returned (with 81% extremely satisfied) 
• Connect Live: 81% satisfaction across 56 sessions with a Specialist 
• 5 hours average Writing Feedback return time
• Over 1,202 students have used the service
• 60% of student help seeking out-of-hours (outside of 9 am - 5 pm)
• 22% of student help seeking during weekends

Jon Rees, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Sunderland analysed the impact of a formative task including Studiosity feedback on the first-attempt pass rate of their students, it was clear that students who engaged with formative feedback were much more likely to pass the module on their first attempt.

“ There is a significant and strong association between doing the formative assessment and passing at first attempt ... the odds of passing at first attempt if engaging are 31.18 x higher than those not engaging”  

What do students say?

The service allows students to provide feedback each time they use the service. Here is a selection of comments provided by Sunderland students:

"Thank so much for taking time to have a look at my assignment. The fact that you provided examples and explained the logic beyond it, it made much easier for me to understand where I was wrong and how I could improve. Thank you once again .”  Writing Feedback - 1st Year Undergraduate

“ Quick and well explained responses. Great friendly service, thank you so much for your help. I will definitely be using this service again in the future .”   Connect Live - 1st Year Undergraduate

“ At school no one ever taught us about point position and I feel like everything I need to know for future assignments is included in my feedback! I can see what I can improve next time and appreciate the preciseness of my feedback .“  Writing Feedback - 1st Year Undergraduate

“ I wasn't confident at all about the essay, but now after the review I can say that I am even proud of myself. ”  Writing Feedback - 1st Year Undergraduate

“Georgina R was a great help. She restored my confidence that I am on the right path with my essay.”  Connect Live - 1st Year Undergraduate

Want to read more case studies from our partners?

    ABN 41 114 279 668

Student zone, assignment calculator, calendars and organisers, study survival guides, free practice tests, student faqs, download our mobile app, student sign in, success stories.

Student Reviews & Testimonials

Specialist Sign In

Meet our specialists

Meet the team, media and research, student reviews.

Read more on Google

Studiosity acknowledges the Traditional Indigenous Custodians of country throughout Australia, and all lands where we work, and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Contact     •    FAQ     •    Privacy    •    Accessibility     •    Acceptable Use     •    Terms of Use AI-for-Learning Polic y    •    Academic Integrity Policy

University Library Services

Study skills- assignment planning.

• Check the Criteria

Gathering Information

• Structuring your Assignment
• Should I Give my Opinion?

Once you have broken down your assignment brief you can start gathering information from literature. This will act as evidence for the points you make no matter what kind of assignment you are writing. It is possible to borrow a laptop from the University Library to support with gathering information. 

Not all the information you gather will be referenced in your assignment but it is important to understand where there are gaps in your own knowledge and to put your own biases aside when searching for literature to form a balanced argument. 

When gathering information for your assignments it may be useful to look at specific search engines for your discipline such as Law Trove. 

Literature that you may use to support your argument includes books, journals and guidelines. It is important to use a variety of different sources in your assignments. A good place to start is your Library Reading List which you can access on your module Canvas space or by looking up the module in the Library Reading Lists area of the library website. These lists include links to the reading your academics have suggested for your modules.

Below is a link to the Library Reading Lists search page:

Below is a video with more information about researching for your assignments. 

Using Information

Search the literature for relevant information, this can be done by using the index and/ or contents. It may be useful to record page numbers and make notes while reading so that you can find the information more easily when you return to your notes and reference correctly. 

Then consider how the evidence you have gathered can help you to support your argument.

Are any claims supported with evidence? This is important to ensure that your argument is logical and convincing throughout. 

Check out the Assignment Planning Quiz below to test your knowledge:

• Last Updated: Sep 5, 2024 9:33 AM
• URL: https://libraryguides.sunderland.ac.uk/assignment-planning