• Steps to a successful assignment 
• Communications toolkit
• Identifying keywords
• Searching the Library 

1.    Collect all your information about the assessment task

• the handout on the assignment (due date, word limit, formatting, presentation, marking guide)
• the type of sources required for your Reference List e.g. books, journal articles
• notes from classes on how to complete the task

2.    Analyse and prepare

• read your notes and class readings for direction
• do a mind map on the topic- use questions to expand the ideas and knowledge you already have
• do some preliminary research to expand your ideas
• from your mind map write some points grouped under general headings
• where there are gaps in information (or more detail or examples needed) write down some questions that you can research
• identify keywords & search the Library for additional sources e.g. books, journal articles (see the box below for an example of how to break down a topic into Keywords, see the videos in this guide on searching for journal articles)
• write a plan  
• what information do you already have? what further information do you need?

3.    Read for Information

• read Required Reading and make notes
• read the additional articles etc. for information not in the Required Reading
• prepare each Reference as you read it, ensure it is written in the APA 7th edition referencing style. See the APA referencing guide for further assistance

4.    Start writing

• collect notes from your reading and start  writing
• write the correct References for each of your readings for your Reference

Watch this video to learn how to identify keywords when searching for information on a topic

This video provides an overview of the VU Library search, demonstrating how to search for books and journal articles.