Personal development for users of counselling skills
Presentation of assignments
All assignments need to;
be word-processed
be double spaced
be on one side of the paper
use Arial font, size 12
include a word count
not include bullet points
include your ABC learner number
Include an appropriate and correctly formatted bibliography
Be submitted via teams
Write the title of the assignment at the top and then use sub-headings for each criterion. All titles and subheadings must be in bold and underlined, for example:
Unit 1 – Professional organisational issues in counselling
3. Understand the environment in which counselling takes place
3.1 Identify the key features of one recognised ethical framework for good practice in counselling
You must write under each separate criterion and not collectively.
One of the main areas for assignment referrals is students not writing to the set criteria. Please make sure you read each criterion carefully and remember to look for the key word or phrase. For example,
Analyse – break the topic down into separate parts, define and examine each part. Show how the main ideas are related and why they are important
Compare – define and describe the different activities or topics and then identify similarities and differences
Define – explain and describe the meaning and exact limits of something
Demonstrate – give an explanation of how something is performed or complete an activity showing an understanding of the topic
Describe – give a detailed account of something in words
Evaluate – give an opinion supported by evidence on the worth or value of something, examine its strengths and weaknesses, providing points for and against
Explain – give a detailed account of something, give reasons for something
Explore – adopt a questioning approach and consider a variety of different viewpoints. Where possible reconcile opposing views by presenting a final line of argument
Identify – name, define and describe the topic(s)
Justify – make a case by providing a body of evidence to support your ideas and points of view. In order to present a balanced argument, consider opinions which may run contrary to your own before stating your conclusion.
Outline – give a general description showing essential features of something but not the details
Reflect – show you have thought carefully and deeply about something. Write down your thoughts to help you to make sense of what you did and why. This helps you to connect what you are being taught with what you are thinking and doing
Review – look thoroughly into a subject. This should be a critical assessment and not merely descriptive
Summarise – express the important facts or ideas about something in a short and clear form.
At the end of your work, please put in the word count. Word counts must NOT include any assignment titles or criterion.
**Make sure you proof read your work before handing in. Check your spelling and examine your work for any grammatical errors. Make sure that what you have written makes sense.
Referencing
Reference sources can provide general information to enhance and support your ideas and what you are writing about, they are not to be used as a way of answering criteria on their own. You are expected to read the core texts from the reading list issued for this course and to be referencing these within your assignments.
You may also use class handouts to reference from, and you will have been given a list of reputable internet sites to use. If you are utilising the internet, these must be UK sites only.
In-text citation:
Direct quotes must be relevant and support or enhance your written work.
Direct quote: “One of the assessment tasks that usually arises in the first session will typically involve making a judgement.” (Bond & Culley 2011 p91)
Bibliography
At the end of your work you will present a bibliography, which lists the texts that you have consulted in the research for your assignments. The purpose of the bibliography entry is to give credit to the author/s whose work you have consulted and to demonstrate the depth and breadth of your reading. It also makes it easy for a reader to find out more about what you have written about should they wish to.
The referenced work listed in your bibliography must contain the following:
Author / editor
Year of publication (in round brackets)
Book / article title (in italics)
Edition (only include the edition number if it is not the first edition)
Place of publication: publisher
Series and volume number (where relevant)
Example:
Bond, T & Culley, S (2011) Integrative Counselling Skills in Action (Third Edition). London: Sage
Rogers, C (1995) On Becoming a Person (Second Edition). New York: Houghton Mifflin
Your bibliography must be presented in alphabetical order
Direct quotes are not included in your word count.
If you are referring to an idea without directly quoting it, this is included in your word count.
If your work is not presented as detailed it will be returned unmarked – you will then need to re-submit in the correct format which will put you behind.
