Referencing, word limits and cover sheets
Referencing
Unless clearly stated otherwise, written coursework requires footnotes and a bibliography. Good referencing takes time and should not be an afterthought. Do not leave it until the last minute! See the Sheffield History Style Guide for guidance.
Coursework Coversheets and Word Limits
Coversheets
When you submit work to the department you will usually include a coversheet (skip to the templates). Coversheets will vary - make sure you use the right one - but identify who you are (by either name or registration number, depending on the type of assignment), provide important details about your assignment, and offer an opportunity to request tailored feedback.
Your coversheet should include the following information:
Your name (for formative coursework only - summative coursework and exams are marked anonymously and must include registration number)
Your title
The word count of the coursework (You must include your text and footnotes. Exclude titles and bibliography).
We want to provide you with targeted, useful feedback, that can help you chart your development. Briefly identify one issue that you have worked to improve in this assessment (e.g. research, organisation, use of evidence, analysis vs. description). You might find it useful to re-read feedback on previous assignments here.
Word Limits
Word limits are set for every piece of assessed coursework. Word limits are there for a reason. They reflect the scope of the assessment exercise. Assessments are devised with a word limit in mind. If you find that you have difficulty in keeping within the word limit, talk to your tutor. Learning to write to a specific word limit is a valuable skill to acquire.
Your word count should be taken as it appears in the file you submit to Turnitin. Please note that once your essay is uploaded, Turnitin may display a word count that is incorrect. The Turnitin word count will not be used to assess the word length of your essay.
Footnotes are included in the word count. The bibliography and title of your submission is not.
Find out how to calculate word count in Word and Google Docs.
Students should declare the word length on all pieces of coursework (a box is provided on the coversheet - see below)
Word Limit Penalties
Unless clearly stated otherwise in the assignment guidance, penalties will apply where the word limits are exceeded, as follows:
Essays which are 5-15% over the word limit will be penalised by a deduction of 5% of the mark awarded
Essays more than 15% over the word limit will be penalised by a deduction of 10% of the mark awarded
i.e. a 2000 word essay will incur a penalty at a length of 2100 words or above.
Coversheet Links
Coursework Coversheet (formative work submitted during a module - do not use for summative work submitted during the exam period.
Your coversheet should include the following information:
Your name
Your title
The word count of the essay (according to the software you used to write the essay)
Briefly explain one issue with your writing that you have struggled with and worked to improve in this essay (e.g. organisation, use of evidence, analysis vs. description). This will allow the marker to provide you with more targeted feedback and assess how well you have addressed the issues identified.
A sample coversheet is available to download here which you can copy and paste into your essay.
Anonymous Coursework Submission Coversheet (HST21015 Reflection, HST31040 Reflection, Thematic Options Final Assessment, HST202 Essay, HST21008 Assignment 2) - summative work must be submitted anonymously during the exam period
Your coversheet should include the following information:
Your registration number (your must not include your name on the assignment)
Your tutor's name
Your title
The word count of the essay (according to the software you used to write the essay)
Briefly explain one issue with your writing that you have struggled with and worked to improve in this essay (e.g. organisation, use of evidence, analysis vs. description). This will allow the marker to provide you with more targeted feedback and assess how well you have addressed the issues identified.
A sample coversheet for anonymous submissions is available to download here, which you can copy and paste into your essay.
Please include your registration number on the coversheet for your anonymous essays, as well as in your Turnitin submission title. If you submit work without a registration number, this can lead to delays in marking your work as your essay will not be identifiable.
Your coversheet should include the following information:
Your registration number (you must not include your name anywhere on the assignment)
Your module code
Your tutors name
Which question / section of the paper you have answered, including wordcount per questions (according to the software you used to write the essay)
A sample coversheet for Non-invigilated online exam submissions is available to download here, which you can copy and paste into your essay.
Please include your registration number on the coversheet, as well as in your Turnitin submission title. If you submit work without a registration number, this can lead to delays in marking your work as your essay will not be identifiable.
Please use this coversheet for the submission of your HST21015 Pitch.
Only one person per group should submit this assessment. Please make sure to include all of your groups registration numbers on the cover sheet.
Dissertation Coversheet (HST399 & HST398)
Your coversheet should include the following information:
Your registration number (you must not include your name anywhere on the assignment)
Your module code
Your dissertation tutors name
Your Dissertation Title
A sample coversheet is available to download here, which you can copy and paste into your essay.
Please include your registration number on the coversheet, as well as in your Turnitin submission title. If you submit work without a registration number, this can lead to delays in marking your work as your essay will not be identifiable.
Please email history.ugenquiries@sheffield.ac.uk if you have questions or need help submitting work.