Write an essay which displays evidence of analytical and critical skills in the area of Management Development.Topic:Much of the literature provides a misleading perspective on management and managing so much corporate MD must be irrelevant. How do you react to this view?Dont forget to include a short self- learning audit for the both assignments (see below)The Self Learning AuditGiven the self learning ethos of this module, it is appropriate that part of the assessment should test your skills as a reflective practitioner. This should be the end piece to both assignments. It might address issues such as: What skills and insights have you developed from carrying out the exercise?
If you were doing the assignment with the benefit of hindsight, how would you do things differently?Here we are obviously looking for honesty and depth of self insight.The self -learning audit should not be more than one side (or 250 words) for EACH assignment. The learning audit is included in the overall word limit. The learning audit accounts for 10% of the marks.
The essay should be 1,500 words in length. This is inclusive of the self -learning audit of 250 words but excludes references, appendicesalthough these should be appropriate and selective. You should include in the appendices only additional information that the reader needs to know.
MARKING CRITERIA FOR ESSAY
The following criteria are used for marking your essay assignment.
Literature Reviews
Although this may not be a separate section of your essay, ie: literature may be referenced throughout the script, we will be looking for evidence of :
Good breadth of sources ( eg: perhaps some classic texts, professional tests, practitioner texts, depending on the topic)
Wider reading beyond the textbook
Reading from contemporary articles/seminal or ground breaking articles as well as books
A bibliography that is focused on the topic ( but which may still include some off beat or allusive material)
Analysis
Depth and quality of analysis which closely addresses the question
Use of concepts, models, ideas as a framework of analysis
Critical argumentation
Synthesis of description and analysis
Insightful interpretation; sensitive inferences
Use of evidence to support observations
Content
Relevance and appropriateness of content
Led by the needs of the question (nothing extraneous/ irrelevant)
Conceptualisation
Clear, coherent and logical line of argument
Argument supported with referencing and with appropriate evidence ( facts, figures or examples etc)
Description eg some contextualisation; perhaps some short anecdotes/ stories for illustration
Evidence of broad comprehension eg: theories, concepts applied to the your interpretive structure
Key themes identified and explored- which progress naturally
Conclusion which is a summation of what has gone before ( no new data introduced at this stage) and ends with a clear message to the reader
Structure and Presentation
Logical sequencing and flow eg: introduction, main body, conclusion
Clarity of structure so that points lead on in a natural and cumulative way
Clear organisation, perhaps with sub-headings
May involve some discussion of definitions; identification of issues/ problems etc
Well written; clarity of expression; good standard of English language/ grammar
Points on themes clustered in terms of their relevance/ not scattered
Paragraphs are linked together in a chain/ not fragmented; each paragraph adds to the meaning of the one before
Written in the third person tense
Use a recognised referencing system consistently
Proof read, spell check, grammar check; re-read your work for sense before submission (put yourself in the role of the reader)
Include a bibliography
Stay within the word count; declare number of words in the piece
Originality
Provide an unusual focus to the topic, but dont be modish for its own sake
Try to take a different point of view to orthodox thought (as long as you have the evidence)
Take an unusual line, perhaps even contrarian line of argument where the material justifies it
Reference to contemporary events; use analogies/ use personal data where appropriate
Try to find and express a personal voice/ style
In the end writing something which is vital, expressive, coherent, concise, insightful etc is a craft skill which requires practice. It is worth really mastering this activity because it is part of what makes a manager persuasive.