Assessment Guidelines, Requirements and Expectations

In accordance with ECU policies, the following apply to assessment items in this unit:

1. Assessments 1, 2 and 3 must be submitted electronically as a Word document via Turnitin

on the Blackboard site COU6503, under Assessments, and include a separate title page (see
‘formatting requirements’ section for more info).
2. Assessment Tasks submitted after the due date and time (or the extended due date and
time) will incur a penalty of 5% per day (or part thereof) including weekends. Where the
Assessment Task is more than 7 calendar days late (excluding the due date), a mark of zero
will be awarded.
3. Any extensions to assessment due dates must be sought in writing to the unit coordinator
before the due date and time. Please also cc your unit facilitator into this correspondence.
Requests must be made using the form below, and include a clear outline of the reasons for
extension:
http://intranet.ecu.edu.au/ data/assets/pdf_file/0009/20025/assign_ext.pdf
Please note that normal occupational commitments and extracurricular activities are not
accepted as grounds for granting extra time because you are expected to plan ahead.
Extensions cannot be granted beyond 7 days for assessments 1 & 2 and 5 days for
assessment 3.
4. Please be advised to keep the records of your assessment submissions.

Formatting Requirements

A student title page includes the following elements:

• title of the assessment

• student name and number
• unit name and number (COU6503 – The Role of the Counsellor)
• facilitator name
• assignment due date
• header with the page number

Assignment body formatting includes:

• Start the assessment on a new page (separate from title page)

• 12 pt font - Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri
• Minimum 2.5 cm margins
• Double line spacing
• Indent first line of paragraphs.
Reference List:

• Start the reference list on a new page after the text but before any appendices (if
applicable).
• Label the reference list ‘References’ (bold, centred, capitalised).
• Double-space all references.
• Use a hanging indent on all references (first line is flush left, the second and any subsequent
lines are indented 2.54 cm (0.5 in).

Referencing

Please see APA reference guide for details- https://ecu.au.libguides.com/referencing

• You can reference course material from blackboard if you choose, however peer reviewed
articles and published texts are preferred. How to reference original Blackboard material
(i.e. information without an identified source):
o In text: Akers (2020) or (Akers, 2020) depending on the structure of your sentence.
o End text: Akers, G. (2020). Foundations of Counselling [online material]. Retrieved
from Edith Cowan University COU6501 Blackboard.

Writing style

It’s expected that you write your assignments in a proper academic writing style. Key features of
this style include:

• The text is written in a formal style and tone characterised by careful language choices.
• Use standard English avoiding American spellings.
• Write in the third person unless otherwise directed. Note- when asked to write a personal
reflection you may use first person e.g. ‘I’ or third person e.g. ‘this author’.
• Avoid slang terms, clichés and colloquial expressions.
• Avoid gender bias and sexist language.
• Avoid emotive language.
• Be direct – use the active rather than the passive voice.
• Be concise.
• Avoid contractions such as "don't", "can't" and "won't". Please write the full words.
• Always write abbreviations or acronyms in full in the first instance, followed by the
acronym/abbreviation written in capital letters and enclosed by parentheses. Subsequent
references to the acronym can be made just by the capital letters alone.
• Be organised and systematically structured, i.e. coherent with an introduction, main body
and conclusion. (intro and conclusion can be brief to keep within word count limits)
• Base your ideas on research, i.e. informed and referenced.
• Integrate and synthesise information from the literature, i.e. makes links to and situates the
writer’s position within a body of knowledge.
 • Ensure content is unbiased (objective) and reasoned (analytical)- note there is room for a
more subjective stance when you are being asked to incorporate your personal reflection or
preference.

ECU’s Essay Tip Sheet is a great resource to assist with the above:
https://intranet.ecu.edu.au/ data/assets/pdf_file/0017/20609/essay.pdf

Presentation

This is important in academic writing!

• Make sure your assignment is in the correct format and that you’ve carefully edited and
proofread your work.
• Always check your spelling, grammar and referencing.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT MARKS WILL BE DEDUCTED IF YOU DO NOT ADHERE TO THE ABOVE
GUIDELINES.

Useful Links and Resources

Please use the following resources for more information

Acting with Academic Integrity: https://intranet.ecu.edu.au/student/my-studies/academic-

integrity/acting-with-academic-integrity

Study Resources: https://intranet.ecu.edu.au/student/my-studies/study-assistance/study-resources

Tips for Assessments: file:///C:/Users/gmakers/OneDrive%20-

%20Edith%20Cowan%20University/Assessments/Tips-for-assignments.pdf

Study Assistance: https://intranet.ecu.edu.au/student/my-studies/study-assistance

Academic Skills Centre: https://intranet.ecu.edu.au/student/my-studies/study-assistance/academic-

skills-centre

Quick Referencing Guide: https://ecu.au.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=30117643

What’s new in APA 7th: https://ecu.au.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=47861674

APA referencing Support for Students:

https://intranet.ecu.edu.au/student/news/overview/2020/08/apa-referencing-support-for-students

Additional Study Resources:

• Tips for planning your week

• Tips for studying
• Tips for managing stress
• Tips for balancing life and uni
• Avoiding Burnout
• 20 Strategies to Overcome Procrastination
• Relaxation and Stress Reduction Techniques (Progressive Muscle Relaxation)