This is a presentation to Massey University students taking the Professional and Ethical Practice paper. It provides tips on style and structure for written assignments two and three.

1. 254.102
WRITING WORKSHOP 3
Assignment 2 – Overview of Essay Structure
Assignment 3 – Overview of Report Structure
Introduction to Reflective Writing
This presentation can be viewed online at:
http://tinyurl.com/254102workshop3

2. Assignment 2

3. TIPS FOR STRUCTURING
ASSIGNMENT 2
For 1500 word essays, around 10 paragraphs will
probably work best
Each of these paragraphs should have three to six
sentences
As Yvonne, explained two sections with headings
are required, together with an introduction and
conclusion
You’ll have three to six paragraphs in each section,
but the ‘application’ section has twice the marks,
so should be longer

4. TIPS FOR WRITING STYLE FOR
ASSIGNMENT 2
Aim for a concise, objective and critical style for
most paragraphs (not using ‘I’)
One or more paragraphs in the ‘Application’
section should be written in a personal, reflective
style (using ‘I’)
Focus on coherence and flow – making connections
between the issues in the article and applications
for practice

5. Assignment 3: Part 1

6. TIPS FOR STRUCTURING
ASSIGNMENT 3 (Pt 1: Report)
1500 words again, so around 10 paragraphs will
probably work best
Each of these paragraphs should have three to six
sentences
Four sections with headings are required
One possible structure could be: Intro (1), Roles
and Responsibilities (1), Professionalism (2),
Human Rights (2), Cultural Competence (2), Ethics
(2), Conclusion (1)

7. TIPS FOR WRITING STYLE FOR
ASSIGNMENT 3 (Pt 1: Report)
Aim for a concise, objective and critical style for
most paragraphs (not using ‘I’)
In each section, explain how the person is guided
by (referenced) approaches, codes or legislation
and provide examples
Where appropriate, point out any aspects of the
theory or definition of professionalism, ethics etc
do NOT seem to be part of the person’s practice –
and suggest possible reasons why or ways they
might be included

8. EXAMPLES OF WRITING STYLE
FOR ASSIGNMENT 3 (Pt 1:
Report)
The teacher explained that she took care to …
She pointed out that it was her responsibility to …
By …., she demonstrates that …
….. were identified by the teacher as ….
The teacher adheres to … which encompasses ….
Compliance with … ensures that she …
The teacher’s use of … demonstrates her …
This practice is an example of …
The teacher recounted an ethical dilemma in which …
The strategy she used to resolve this dilemma is
consistent with …
The aspect of .. which she finds most challenging is …

9. EXAMPLES OF WRITING STYLE
FOR ASSIGNMENT 3 (Pt 1:
Report)
She identified … as a fundamental human right which
she finds difficult to uphold in practice. She explained
that …
This principle underlies the teacher’s commitment to
…. For example, she …
In accordance with …. the teacher promotes … by …
…. allows the teacher to ….
One example of this approach is the way the teacher …
One area of … which the teacher regards as less
relevant to her practice is … This may be because …
However, ….
One aspect of … which was not explicitly mentioned by
the teacher was …

10. Assignment 3: Part 2

11. Reflective Writing
Level 1: Descriptive
Concise, objective accounts of aspects of practice that
you see as learning opportunities
Level 2: Analytical
Questions about the meaning, cause and effect of the
incidents you’ve described
Level 3: Critical
Insightful connections between your interpretations
and theories, models, codes, regulations, research

12. TIPS FOR STRUCTURING AND
WRITING ASSIGNMENT 3 (Pt 2:
Reflections)
Paragraph 1:
General definition of the competency
Explanation for its importance and / or challenge
Specific relevance to your field of practice
Example (using a different competency, unrelated to your
task): Innovation has been defined as ……. As such it has
both a social and economic value. Socially, …. while
economically, …. However, in practical terms, there are many
barriers to innovation, such as …. In relation to tertiary
education, innovation has become increasingly important as
a result of … and therefore, ….

13. TIPS FOR STRUCTURING AND
WRITING ASSIGNMENT 3 (Pt 2:
Reflections)
Paragraph 2:
General summary of your development
Example(s) of what helped you develop
Evidence for your development
Example (using a different competency, unrelated to your
task): During my first semester, I have made some progress
in two areas of innovation. I have participated in a new
initiative which …. This has resulted in …. which featured in
… and was commented on in …

14. TIPS FOR STRUCTURING AND
WRITING ASSIGNMENT 3 (Pt 2:
Reflections)
Paragraph 3:
Summary of gaps/limitations in competency development
Explanations, evidence and/or examples of these gaps
Proposals for how you intend to address them
Example (using a different competency, unrelated to your
task): However, I feel I have so far only made limited progress
towards innovative practice. For example, I recently
documented my practice for one week in a reflective journal
and concluded that less than one hour per day …. I attribute
this lack of progress to both personal and institutional factors.
Personally, …… while, the lack of institutional incentives has
also … Therefore, I plan to ..

15. © 2014
This PowerPoint Presentation and the accompanying handouts
are copyrighted by Centre for Teaching and Learning,
Massey University and may not be used, except for personal
study, without written permission from the copyright owner.
Please note that examples are provided for illustration of
writing principles only and no reliance should be placed on
any of the ideas referred to in the texts.
Martin McMorrow, Centre for Teaching and Learning
09 441 8143 slt-alb@massey.ac.nz
This presentation can be viewed online at:
http://tinyurl.com/254102workshop3