Assignment Guidelines

This section explains the general rules for presenting types of work that you will likely complete during your time at Leeds Conservatoire. These rules should be followed carefully to ensure that your work is clearly formatted, is presented correctly and in line with academic standards.

All written work should be presented in a clear and well-organised manner, allowing the examiner to easily read and assess your writing and ideas. To assist with this, follow the rules below for formatting your work:

• Use a word-processor to produce your work (for example Microsoft Word); you must ensure that the output file of your work is either .pdf or .docx/.doc [Link to Chapter 6]
• Set the page margins to at least 2.5cm;
• 1.5 or double line space the text;
• Text should be left aligned
• Use an easily readable font, such as Arial or Calibri;
• Set your font size to 12pt;
• Number the pages;
• Put your student number and assignment code as a header on each page.

All sources must be referenced according to section 4 of this guide.

Example of written style formatting:

Show assignments must be titled and should be prefaced with the assignment code, your student number, followed by a title. For example: MEX4E001R~001 01234567 Assignment 1

All content in a Show post should be embedded into the page using the appropriate content boxes as follows:

• Written content (e.g. the main body of a reflection, evaluation, essay, etc.) must be written in a text block and embedded in the page. You should not upload a written document to a post that needs to be opened separately.
• Audio should be uploaded as an .mp3 or .m4a (Sample rate: 44.1kHz; Bit rate: 192 kbps) and embedded into the page using the audio block, unless otherwise stated in the assignment brief.
• Video content must be uploaded to Panopto and embedded into a Show post, using the Panopto content block. The video file must have a .mov or .mp4 container, exported with a h.264 video codec, and AAC audio codec (1 audio channel maximum, stereo). Video resolution is recommended to be either 720p or 1080p. The name of your upload must be prefaced by the assignment code and your student number e.g. MEX4E001R~001 01234567 Video 1
• Images should be uploaded as .jpg or .png and compressed to a web appropriate size, resolution of 72 DPI, and embedded using one of the image blocks.
• External Content, such as YouTube videos, used for context or evidence of research should be embedded in the page using the appropriate blocks. You should not use YouTube or external media sites to upload your own summative work. Links to other websites should be incorporated into a text box using the hyperlink tool.  
• Documents should be embedded as a .pdf where possible, for example, CVs, scores, etc.
• Any other files not covered above, and specified in the assignment brief, can be uploaded using the file block.

All sources should be referenced according to the guidance in section 4 of this guide. When referencing in audio or video recordings you verbally cite the source by including the author and date at the point the source is used within your discussion. A bibliography should also be included on the Show post.

Assignment support is available on modules pages for all Show assignments. Instructions for using Show can be found here: leedsconservatoire.info/show-help

Presentations will often differ significantly in content, approach, and style. However, much like written work, your presentations should be clearly organised and presented to enable the examiner to fully understand your thoughts. To assist with this, follow the general rules below for formatting your work:

• Where appropriate, use a presentation program (for example, PowerPoint) that can be opened on a conservatoire PC;
• The first slide should display your name, student number, module title, and the title of the presentation;
• Use an easily readable font, such as Arial;
• Written text should be presented no smaller than 16pt;
• When citing sources as part of a presentation, you should verbally cite the source by including the author and date at the point the source is used within your discussion;
• The final slide should present your bibliography of sources, using the guidance on referencing in section 4 of this guide.

In some modules, you will be asked to submit a video presentation or vlog. This will normally be submitted in .mp4 or .mov file formats and either: submitted to Space via Panopto, embedded onto a Show post, or directly uploaded as a file to Space. The method will be detailed in your assignment brief, and there will be assignment support on your module page showing you how to do it.

Other things you’ll want to consider when creating vlogs or video are:

• Speak clearly;
• Set out a clear structure to the vlog in relation to the timeframe:
  • Each section having a time limit and focus. e.g. introduction, research, action, execution, summary, conclusions;
  • This will help to control your arguments, maintain focus, and control the pace of commentary;
• Incorporate a range of media from screenshots/audio/video/slides to help contextualise the discussion;
• Ensure there is minimal text on screen to allow for greater concentration on the commentary;
• Seeing the person talk on camera often helps with expression and can help to convey emotion in relation to your work;
• Use of a range of sources to help substantiate/support the content, a more diverse range of sources can often denote a more rounded vlog/argument/presentation. You should reference conversationally, ensuring you include the author and date;
• Include a bibliography at the end of the video, using the guidance on referencing in section 4 of this guide. This could take the form of a slide presenting your bibliography of sources at the end of the video, deducted from the assignment duration.

Specific scoring requirements will be stated on the assignment brief. These will differ according to the nature of the project/style. Songwriting briefs may require a lead line, lyrics, and chord symbols, whereas classical or film music assignments may require full scoring. Therefore, the following is intended as a general guide:

• The first page should state the title of the composition, composer, student number and assignment code;
• All pages should be numbered, and should include a header stating the title of the composition;
• Chord symbols should be above the top staff, if used;
• Notation should only include TAB if specifically stated on the assignment brief;
• Drums should either be written out in full or simply feature a style/genre guide, depending on the assignment.

Unless otherwise specified by the assignment brief, where standard staff-based musical notation is used, the following guidelines should additionally be followed:

• Scores should include a ‘legend’ on the left-hand page of the first double-page spread, stating full instrumentation, duration and whether the score is in C or is a transposed score;
• Where appropriate, scores should include time signatures, with notes and rests within bars being grouped accordingly (e. g. 2+2, 3+2, 3+3);
• Scores should include bar numbers and, where appropriate (i.e. orchestral score, large ensemble score) should also include rehearsal marks;
• Scores should include instrument markings (dynamic, phrasing, etc.). According to convention, all dynamic and expression markings should appear below the staff for instrumental lines, and above for vocal lines. Technique markings should appear above the staff for instrumental lines and above dynamic markings for vocal lines. Lyrics/sung text should appear below the staff for vocal lines.
• Full instrument names should be given on the left-hand side of every staff on the first page, with abbreviated instrument names given on the left of every staff of pages thereafter.