Your Research Companion
The Treaty of Versailles (1919) is often considered important in explaining Hitler's rise to power. Explain this by referring to the Treaty's effects on Germany's economy, military situation and morale. For each of these effects, include a quote from the Treaty of Versailles to illustrate your argument.
Before you start writing – even before starting to think about your answer! – you should closely read, analyze and/or interpret the question by using the three steps above. In the above example, you may observe that what the question asks you to do is:
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To explain why the Treaty of Versailles is considered important in explaining Hitler’s rise to power.
The requirements which the question raises places on my answer are:
2a. To refer to the Treaty’s effects on Germany on three levels: economy, military & morale
2b. To include for each of these (three!) effects a quote from the Treaty to illustrate the answer
Only once you have carefully examined the question should you start thinking about how you should answer this question. In this case, you will likely want to carefully examine the Treaty of Versailles, find three quotes which relate to three effects, and use this information to craft your argument. Note that if you do not cover all parts of the question – for instance, you only address the economic and military level, or you do not include quotes – this will impact your grade.
Students not reading a question correctly is one of the largest reasons why students fail assignments!
Please note that when you use any source material in your assignment – whether this be a textbook, article, or website – you must include {4} a reference List. In the reference list, you show your readers which source material you have used. Omission of a reference list in any academic assignment is usually an immediate cause for a failing grade. More information on referencing and the creation of a reference list will be provided in the module on referencing.
When writing an academic assignment, the very first thing you ought to include are {1} a title and {2} your personalia. For non-essay assignments, your title can generally simply be the name of the assignment. Your personalia include your full name as well as your student number. For example:
European History: First Antiquity Assignment
By Jane Austen, SNR 184725
Next you can get started on the {3} body of your assignment. This is where you address the questions your assignment asks you to answer, in the way it asks you to do. In order to do so, it is of great importance that you read every question carefully! It is important to ask yourself questions such as:
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What does the question ask me to do exactly?
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What requirements does the question place on my answer?
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How shall I go about answering the question?
For example, say that you're given the following question: