Report Economics
atgkd153
Session2Ecopresentation3Assignment2.pptx
ECO10250: Assignment 2
/S2 2018
Go through
the assignment question
suggested structure
marking criteria
some suggestions for you to think about
summary
Outline of Session
The Question – what are the key words?
In February 2017, the Sydney Morning Herald presented the views of some economists regarding the performance of the Australian economy in 2017 (see http://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/economists-deeply-divided-over-australias-economic-path-in-2017-20170207-gu72ev.html). For Assignment 2 you are required to firstly read this article and to then prepare a report on the current (i.e., August/September 2018) state of the Australian economy and compare its performance with state of the economy in August 2017. In completing your report it will be necessary to examine the latest figures and the August 2017 figures for the following four economic indicators - economic growth (GDP), unemployment, inflation and trade (including the terms of trade, the current account, net foreign debt and the value of the Australian dollar). In examining the performance of the Australian economy it will be useful to outline any expected target values that may exist for the economic indicators. Finally, given your analysis, you are asked to highlight three major issues you believe are facing the Australian economy over the next 12 months and why you perceive these as of concern.
Suggested Structure
an appropriate title
an abstract (sometimes called an executive summary) summarising the report – including the issues you have highlighted
an introduction in which you briefly explain what you are going to address in the report as well as its structure
the body of the report broken into sections with appropriate section headings
a brief conclusion including a summary your analysis
appropriate in-text referencing and a reference list at the end of the report
Marking Criteria
Abstract (2 marks)
Introduction (1 mark)
The body of the report providing:
An appropriate description and discussion of the current state of the Australian economy as reflected by the four economic indicators - economic growth, unemployment, inflation and trade in Australia and the economy in 2017. (8 marks)
A succinct description of three major issues facing the Australian economy over the next 12 months. (6 marks)
Conclusion (1 mark)
Evidence in the report of a depth of research (3 marks)
Accuracy in referencing (Harvard Style) (1 mark)
Presentation, grammar, structure, etc. (3 marks)
Some suggestions: Title
You should have a title that is short & sharp and that describes the content of the report, eg., ‘Macroeconomic Economic Conditions in Australia’.
Some suggestions: Abstract
An abstract provides an overview of the report:
describe the aim or purpose of the report
brief overview of economic targets
three major issues facing the Austn. economy and reasons for importance
It should be half a page (approximately 500 words) & formatted as one paragraph
REMEMBER an Abstract IS NOT an Introduction
Some suggestions: Introduction
The "Introduction" is a brief paragraph or two that outlines the aim of the report (i.e., what you are examining) and how the report is structured. The content of your assignment should generally reflect the marking criteria.
REMEMBER that an Introduction is different to an Abstract
Some suggestions: The Body
The ‘body’ of the report is quite simply the content of your research & analysis. You may want to consider dividing the body of the report into different sections with headings.
1. Discuss the current state of the economy in comparison with August 2017.
Do this by examining the values of the four economic indicators under investigation: Economic Growth (GDP), Unemployment, Inflation and Trade (terms of trade, current account, net foreign debt & the value of the Aus $)
You could also look at the government targets for each of these – if they exist.
Some suggestions: The Body (c0nt)
2. Given your analysis, highlight three major issues facing the Australian economy over the next 12 months and why you perceive these as of concern. (No right or wrong answer BUT you need to justify your choices)
Suggestions: Conclusion
In your Conclusion you need to sum up your key findings (do not provide any new information)
Briefly describe the Austn. economy in August 2017 & Sept 2018
The major issues facing the economy & why you think this
Should be one or two paragraphs
Suggestions: Referencing
Referencing: Ensure you have used correct Harvard referencing throughout the report and that you have correctly formatted your reference list. Only include the references that you actually use in your report.
Hard to suggest how many you should use but around 10 to 12.
Suggestions: Word Length
Stick to word length – it’s part of this assignment’s training
Use tables and graphs to get your message across (not counted in word length)
BUT make sure you refer to them in the body of your work (don’t just put them in and assume the reader will know why they are there)
Suggestions: Word Length (cont)
Additional Suggestions: planning your work
Use point form to PLAN your report - makes writing MUCH easier – e.g. in the body of report:
Para 1: Economic growth & GDP
Para 2: Unemployment …
Additional Suggestions: planning your work (cont)
Para 1: Growth trend 2017-2018
Very brief description what it is and why it is important (relationship with other indicators)
What is happening to the GDP since August 2017?
What is contributing to GDP growth in past year?
Where would the government like to see the GDP growth rate?
Additional Suggestions: Writing
TAKE CARE WITH YOUR WRITING
Do NOT use long sentences (and paragraphs) unless you are a good writer
Keep checking you are ANSWERING the question
‘Link’ your sentences & paragraphs
Additional Suggestions: Paragraphs
P – point of the paragraph (topic sentence)
E – evidence or supporting material
E – explain evidence
S – sum up the point paragraph
L – link to next paragraph
Australia and the United States of America have been strong trading partners for years and this means that the economies in both countries are linked. A change in one country can easily influence the economic in the other. However, despite this link there are many difference that shape economic growth, unemployment, inflation and trade. This report examines these key economic indicators in both countries and how monetary and fiscal policy have affected them in both countries.
Examplar
Additional suggestions: Issues
Some things to look out for:
The type of jobs being created
Wages growth
Inequality
Sectorial changes
Political instability
Trade wars
Some comments and suggestions to avoid trouble with submitting your assignment via Turitin:
If you have hand-drawn the graphs – scan then, crop and paste into your word doc.
Make sure your doc is no more than 40mb
If you submit your assignment but want to re-submit it you will need to contact me ([email protected]) to remove your previous submission
Submission of Assn.
If you DO NOT get a receipt from Turnitin you HAVE NOT submitted your assignment
Keep your receipt
Contact the SCU IT Help Desk for technical issues – not me!
Contact me ([email protected]) early for an extension
Submission of Assn. (c0nt)
Carefully check your Turnitin score (not just your score but also what the report is showing you
If unsure reference your work
Good luck
Plagiarism
