ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT GUIDES
STUDENT SAMPLE PAPER: Business Report
This sample student paper is a business report task which demonstrates the
requirements for APA (7th edition) referencing style.
The guidelines and comments have been colour-coded:
Formatting requirements - blue
Academic writing and addressing the task - red
Referencing guidelines - yellow
The cover page includes the
document title and key
information including student
name and number.
ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT GUIDES
STUDENT SAMPLE PAPER: Business Report
Running header with Student name and subject code.
Content page makes the report
easily accessible to the reader. It
also serves to highlight the key
themes the student will introduce
in the critical response.
Include page numbers, as a centered footer.
* Use “Insert, Page Numbers” on Word to
format page numbers.
ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT GUIDES
STUDENT SAMPLE PAPER: Business Report
A separate contents section highlighting the
tables and figures in the report makes it
easy for the reader to quickly view these key
features. When including figures this should
be on a separate page.
ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT GUIDES
STUDENT SAMPLE PAPER: Business Report
Section headings begin each new discussion
area, this enables the reader to easily follow
the logic of the argument being presented,
it also gives a high level, professional
presentation style to the report.
Key theories that will be used in
the report are identified clearly.
The case study of Colorado is also
clearly introduced. This is a clear
demonstration of essential
knowledge of the subject area and
The last sentence of the theoretical frameworks.
introduction operates as a clear
Thesis Statement, which
introduces the author’s The last section of the report is identified.
considered judgement on the
case. This will be the key finding
of the report in the final section.
This opening paragraph sets the
context and provides essential
background information, and
introduces the main theme,
Proposition 64.
It is well written and conveys
information in a clear and fluent
manner.
It should also be noted that the
themes introduced here must be
discussed in that order through the
body of the report.
ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT GUIDES
STUDENT SAMPLE PAPER: Business Report
For each new section it is
important to define the
concept, theory, or model
which will be discussed.
The author uses reference to This makes it clear to the
published research to support reader that you are working
the developing argument, and from the appropriate
refers to the Figure below. This conceptual material. You
is evidence of a high level of may wish to reference this
professional presentation and from key texts where
The first area of analysis is introduced with a sub heading. writing. necessary. As a rule
however, it is not necessary
to reference terms that are
considered key and widely
The first sentence, or understood within the
Topic Sentence, discipline.
introduces the main
idea of the paragraph
to follow. It guides the
reader as to the main
issues that will be
covered in the
following sentences.
The supporting sentences
introduces further information
to support the topic sentence. In
this way each sentence builds on
the last, and connects the ideas
together, this shows a high level
The author has chosen to of paragraph construction.
address each case study in
separate paragraphs. This
allows an explanation and The author has attempted to
application of each theory reference this correctly, however
(in this case Supply and when using data from a source,
Demand) in one context page numbers must also be
before applying the included follow the style:
principle to the current (Wallace, 2015, p. 1) (Author,
scenario (Proposition 64, Date, Page number)
California). This shows a http://libguides.jcu.edu.au/apa
discriminating
understanding and
application of key economic Graphs and figures should be
concepts, as measured in positioned above or below text, they
the rubric. should not be surrounded or
embedded in text. The should also
include the correct referencing style,
as seen here.
Labels that are used within graphs
should also be included in the key.
It is clear that the author
will now apply the theory
and principles discussed in
the previous case study to
the current case study. Each time a new concept, theory or
model is introduced it is important
to briefly define it. This shows a
discriminating understanding and
application of key economic
concepts/ theoretical frameworks
in response to the case questions.
ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT GUIDES
STUDENT SAMPLE PAPER: Business Report
The author makes a prediction
based on the evidence from the
other case study. This is an example
of synthesis and critical thinking,
and is a high level response. The
author also uses hedging language
very well, by saying “It is likely that”.
This is because we cannot say for
sure that the same effect will apply,
however similar the contexts.
The author refers to published
research in a third context to
strengthen the developing argument.
This shows a wide range of reading,
and strengthens the argument. This
is clear evidence of synthesis of
research evidence.
The author reaches a conclusion
based on the preceding information,
and also combines this with new
evidence to further support the
Again, it should be noted that statement. This shows a high level
page numbers must also be of critical thought and a high level
included when referencing facts of argument development.
and figures. Be sure to follow
the style: (Orens, 2016, p. 47)
(Author, Date, Page number) Whenever a figure is used in the text
http://libguides.jcu.edu.au/apa of a report it must be referred to in
the text. This shows the ability to
construct a high quality written
report including the use of graphical
representations.
The term “equilibrium price” should
be defined when it is first used.
Each new idea should be
presented in a new
paragraph. The first sentence This would be stronger through
of each paragraph is called a the use of a reference.
Topic Sentence, and
introduces the main idea of A reference is appropriate
the paragraph to follow. It wherever a claim is made, which
guides the reader as to the must be supported with
main issue which will be evidence.
covered in the following
sentences.
ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT GUIDES
STUDENT SAMPLE PAPER: Business Report
Each section should begin by
defining the concept, theory or
model on which the topic is
based.
The theory is clearly defined in
the opening sentence of this
section.
The second area of analysis is
clearly introduced with a sub
heading.
Clear definitions are introduced here.
This statement uses a reference
to provide authority to the
statement.
A strong reference is included to
support the statement.
The final conclusion of the logic
The topic sentence that has been presented in the
always clearly section. This is clear evidence of
introduces the next logical progression, critical
point. This is thinking, and synthesis.
evidence of a well-
constructed
paragraph. The ideas presented are
extended to apply to the
California case study. This is
good evidence of synthesis and
critical thinking. The author has
This reference does not extrapolated the data from the
qualify as an academic first case study and applied it to
source. the second.
It is important to point out limitations
The author synthesises a specific in the data, and this is done well here.
figure from the data. This is a higher
level response than simply implying
there will be a ‘high yield’.
ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT GUIDES
STUDENT SAMPLE PAPER: Business Report
Figure labels are always located below
the graphic. If the table is not
constructed by the author they must
also include the source. This is
written after the text ‘Reprinted from’.
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home
This is a clear and well-
constructed paragraph. The
author introduces the topic in
the first sentence and builds
upon it by introducing a new
piece of information in each
proceeding sentence. This is
called a supporting sentence.
When all sentences support the
It is clear that the author is main argument the paragraph is
shifting the argument to considered to be well written
convince the reader that the and logical.
situation will change to
make marijuana more
elastic. To build an even
stronger argument, the
author could have included
references to other
literature and research.
This is the conclusion of the application of theory to the case study. It
is a strong statement which leaves the reader very clear on the
progression of the argument. A stronger paragraph would have
introduced further data or research evidence that increased elasticity
would occur.
This final statement clearly identifies the author’s critical response to
the claim made in Proposition 64.
ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT GUIDES
STUDENT SAMPLE PAPER: Business Report
This graphic appears to be well
constructed, and it is evident that the
author has spent some time
constructing it. This is measured by
Structure and Style in the rubric. It is
clear and easy for the reader to
understand. A stronger response may
have includes the use of labels for lines
D and S.
ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT GUIDES
STUDENT SAMPLE PAPER: Business Report
Subheadings clearly
indicate change of
discussion.
Clear Topic Sentence
Table labels are always located above
the table. If the table is not
constructed by the author they must
also have a separate label located
under the table which includes the
source. This is written after the text
‘Reprinted from’.
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home
A clear topic sentence,
which includes a strong
point which is
immediately clear. The author has created an
argument based on a through
discussion of the contexts. It
should be noted however, that
the data used is predicative, and
not on established datasets. This
is a limitation, which should be
A clear, concluding acknowledged.
statement.
Excellent synthesis by
extending one case
study into the other.
ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT GUIDES
STUDENT SAMPLE PAPER: Business Report
A clear conclusion.
This is the final, and most important statement in the
report. It cannot be reached without a thorough
examination of all the evidence as presented throughout
the report. It should also be noted that this final
comment is reflected in the introduction of the paper.
