How to Prepare IGNOU Assignments: A Complete Guide
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) requires students to write and submit assignments as part of their selected course. These assignments play a crucial role in determining the final grades, as they carry a significant percentage of marks that is 30% while the term-end examinations carry 70% weightage. Properly preparing and submitting IGNOU assignments is important for securing good overall percentage and pass with First Division. If you are a IGNOU student and planning to write your assignments and you don’t know how to write IGNOU assignments, then this article will help you to understand the necessary steps to prepare and submit IGNOU Assignments correctly within stipulated time.
1. Download the Latest Assignment Question Papers
The first step in writing IGNOU assignments is to download
the latest set of assignment questions for designated for your course in which
you have enrolled. IGNOU releases these assignments on its official website (www.ignou.ac.in) under the
"Assignments" section. Ensure that you download the correct session’s
assignment questions related to your course, as assignments are different for
each academic session of every course.
2. Read the Guidelines Carefully
Each assignment comes with specific instructions based on
course requirements of IGNOU programme you have selected regarding paper type, paper
size, type of pen to be used, word limits, formatting, and submission
deadlines. Some IGNOU courses also require practical/seminar/projects to be
submitted along with written assignments or as specified in program guidelines.
Read these guidelines carefully before starting to write assignments. Some of
the important guidelines are:
- The
validity of the assignments question paper is ONE YEAR. Students who take
admission in January session or July session have to attempt the relevant
assignments for that session only. If they fail to submit their
assignments before the deadline of that particular session, they are
supposed to write the fresh set of assignments of upcoming sessions.
- For writing
your answers, use only foolscap-sized paper, regular writing paper that is
neither too thick nor too thin will be best to use for writing IGNOU
Assignments.
- You
can write on single side or on both sides of the paper, writing on single
side makes your evaluator to check easily, so writing on single side of
the paper should be preferred.
- Use
a black pen for writing questions and blue pen to write answers, (do not
use colored pens).
- Write
question number, question and followed by the answer.
- Leave
3-inch margin (specified in official instructions provided by IGNOU) on
the left side of paper and at least 4-5 lines in between each answer in an
assignment. Usually, 1-1.5 ich margin is sufficient and solve the purpose,
you can choose which one to follow. This will enable your evaluator to
write necessary remarks about your answers in places left blank by you.
- Do
not copy paste from answer sheets of other students of your course. If
copying is detected, the assignments of such students will be rejected
directly.
- Assignments
should be neat and clean and must be handwritten unless specified
otherwise in your particular course.
- Maintain
a structured format with proper headings and subheadings, which will
attract attention of your evaluator, and he/she will tend to give good
marks.
3. Research and Write Answers in Your Own Words
IGNOU assignments are designed to test your understanding of
the concept of the subject rather than your ability to copy directly from your textbooks.
Therefore, research from multiple sources like IGNOU study materials,
textbooks, online resources such as egyancosh, and your personal notes if any.
Write answers in your own words to avoid plagiarism which can be checked by
IGNOU staff if required. Maintain a logical flow and ensure clarity in your answers.
4. Maintain a Proper Assignment Format
IGNOU has a standard format that students should follow
while preparing their assignments. The structure includes:
- Front
Page: Write your name, enrolment number, Full Address, programme code,
course code, assignment code/number, study centre, and your admission
session. Front page of IGNOU Assignments can be downloaded from internet.
- Identity
card: Photocopy of IGNOU Identity card should be attached in each set
of assignments.
- Question
Paper: Question paper of the assignments is to be attached along with
each of your assignments set.
- Answers
to Questions: Provide detailed answers as per the questions given,
following all relevant guidelines.
- Conclusion:
Summarize/conclude important points at the end of the answer.
5. Check for Errors and Improve Presentation
Once you finish writing, review your assignments for any
grammatical errors, unclear explanations, or any missing details. Ensure that
each question/answer is easily distinguished, means there should be appropriate
gap between any two answers. Ensure the handwriting is clear and legible. You
can underline important points/headings or use bullet points to make your
answers more organized to attain a presentable condition.
6. How to arrange Ignou Assignment pages
Arrange all the pages in the correct order, attach a neatly
written front page, photocopy of IGNOU identity card, photocopy of IGNOU
assignment question paper and bind the assignment using a paper file. Avoid
using plastic binding covers unless specified in your course.
7. Submit Before the Deadline
Your answer sheet should be complete in all respects. Make
sure you have answered all the questions in an assignment before you submit
them. Incomplete answer sheets will bring you poor grade/marks. IGNOU has some
deadlines for submission of assignments. Submit your assignment at your
designated study centre before the due date to avoid disqualification. Always
take an acknowledgment slip from your study centre as a proof of assignment submission.
8. Keep a Copy of Your Assignment
It is advisable to keep a photocopy or scanned copy of your
assignment before submission. If you find it costly or irrelevant, you can keep
photos in your mobile. This will help you in case of any disputes regarding
non-receipt of assignments by the study centre or regional centre.
Conclusion
Preparing IGNOU assignments requires careful planning,
research, and adherence to specified guidelines provided by IGNOU. By following
the steps mentioned above, you can ensure a well-organized and high-quality
assignment that will help you score well in your coursework. Stay organized,
start early, and maintain a consistent writing style to achieve good marks in
your assignments. Happy studying!
Feel free to comment or contact us for your queries!