ACCESS AND INCLUSION

Use Assistive Technology to Draft, Edit and Proofread Your Assignment

A step-by-step guide using dictation, text-to-speech, spelling and grammar tools, referencing tools and formatting checks.

Download this checklist

You can also download a copy of this checklist to save, print or use while working on your assignment.

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How to use this guide

Work through the steps in order, take breaks when needed, and use the checkboxes to track what you have reviewed before moving on. Select each step heading to expand or collapse the details.

Suggested process: Open one step at a time, complete the “Before moving on” checklist, then close that step when you are finished. This can help you keep track of where you are up to.

Note: The checkboxes on this page are visual prompts. They may not save as ticked in Canvas, so use them as a guide while working through each step.

Quick Roadmap

Follow the process: Prepare → Draft → Listen → Edit → Check → Submit

Prepare

Check and plan

Check the task, criteria and main points.

Go to Step 1 →

Draft

Get ideas down

Type, dictate, or use both.

Go to Step 3 →

Listen

Hear the flow

Use text-to-speech to check meaning.

Go to Step 5 →

Edit

Refine wording

Improve clarity, grammar and vocabulary.

Go to Step 7 →

Check

Review details

Check referencing, layout and formatting.

Go to Step 10 →

Submit

Upload and confirm

Submit the correct file and check it worked.

Go to Step 13 →

Tip: On a small screen, scroll sideways to view all roadmap cards.

Detailed step-by-step guide

Prepare Step 1: Check the assignment requirements

Aim: Make sure you understand what the assignment is asking you to do.

Action: Review the task instructions before you start drafting or editing.

Check

the assignment question or task instructions
the marking rubric or criteria
the required word count
the required referencing style, such as APA 7
formatting requirements, such as headings, spacing or file type
the due date and submission location
any rules about using editing tools, grammar tools or AI tools

Ask yourself

What is the assignment asking me to do?
What are the main sections I need to include?
What will the marker be looking for?

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ the assignment question or task instructions?
☐ the marking rubric or criteria?
☐ the word count?
☐ the required referencing style?
☐ the due date and submission location?
☐ any rules about using editing, grammar or AI tools?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Prepare Step 2: Plan your assignment

Aim: Organise your ideas before you start writing.

Action: Create a simple plan to guide your draft.

You could use

dot points
a mind map
a paragraph plan
headings and subheadings
a table with one row for each main point

Your plan might include

introduction
main point 1
main point 2
main point 3
conclusion
references or evidence you want to use

This step can make dictation easier because you know what you want to say before you start speaking.

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ I know the main points I want to include?
☐ I have a basic structure or outline?
☐ I know what evidence or examples I need?
☐ my plan links back to the assignment question?
☐ I know what section I will start drafting first?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Draft Step 3: Draft your assignment using typing, dictation, or both

Aim: Get your ideas onto the page.

Action: Type, dictate, or use both to create your first draft.

Dictation may be helpful if you

find it easier to explain your ideas out loud
lose your train of thought while typing
type slowly or become tired when typing
have difficulty with spelling
want to get your first draft down more quickly

Tools you can use

Dictate in Microsoft Word
Dictation in Pages on macOS
Voice typing in Google Docs
built-in speech-to-text tools on your device

Before you start dictating

choose a quiet space if possible
use a headset or microphone if available
keep your assignment question and plan nearby
speak clearly and at a steady pace
say punctuation out loud, such as “full stop”, “comma” or “new paragraph”

Sentence starters

“The main point of this paragraph is…”
“This evidence shows…”
“This links to the assignment question because…”
“An example of this is…”
“This is important because…”

Remember: Dictation helps you get ideas onto the page, but it does not replace editing.

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ I have created a first draft?
☐ I have used typing, dictation or both in a way that works for me?
☐ I kept my assignment question and plan nearby while drafting?
☐ I included my main points or sections?
☐ I have not tried to make the draft perfect yet?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Draft Step 4: Clean up your draft

Aim: Fix obvious errors before you begin deeper editing.

Action: Check your draft for dictation errors, spelling mistakes and unfinished sentences.

Check for

incorrect words from dictation
missing punctuation
repeated words
unfinished sentences
incorrect names, terms or references
sentences that sound too spoken or informal

Use tools such as

Microsoft Word Editor
Pages spelling and grammar
Google Docs spelling and grammar
another approved spelling or grammar tool

In Microsoft Word, go to: Review > Editor

Do not accept every suggestion automatically. Check that each change keeps your meaning accurate.

Tip: Save a working copy before you edit. You can also use Track Changes or Version History if you want to review earlier edits.

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ obvious spelling or grammar errors?
☐ incorrect words from dictation?
☐ missing punctuation?
☐ repeated words or phrases?
☐ unfinished sentences?
☐ incorrect names, technical terms or references?
☐ I have saved a working copy before making major edits?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Listen Step 5: Listen to the whole assignment using text-to-speech

Aim: Check whether your assignment makes sense overall.

Action: Use text-to-speech to listen from beginning to end before editing individual sentences.

Tools you can use

Microsoft Word Read Aloud
macOS/iOS Speech
another text-to-speech tool available to you

Ask yourself

Is my main idea clear?
Does the assignment answer the question?
Are my points in a logical order?
Is the argument logical and supported by evidence?
Does anything sound confusing?
Have I repeated the same idea too often?
Is anything missing?
Is anything off topic?

Tip: Pause and make notes as you listen. Then go back and fix the main issues.

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ my main idea is clear?
☐ the assignment answers the question?
☐ my points are in a logical order?
☐ my argument is logical and supported by evidence?
☐ anything sounds confusing?
☐ anything is repeated?
☐ anything is missing or off topic?
☐ I have made notes on the main issues to fix?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Listen Step 6: Check the structure paragraph by paragraph

Aim: Check the overall structure and logical flow of ideas.

Action: Listen to one paragraph or section at a time.

Ask for each section or paragraph

Introduction: Does it set a clear context and purpose?
What is the main point of this paragraph?
Does the first sentence introduce the point clearly?
Does the paragraph include enough explanation or evidence?
Does it link back to the assignment question?
Does it connect clearly to the paragraph before and after it?
Is there anything that should be moved, removed or expanded?
Conclusion: Does the conclusion sum up the main points and provide closure?

Write short notes

Main point:
Evidence used:
Link to question:
Needs fixing:

This helps you check whether your assignment has a clear structure and flow.

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ the introduction sets a clear context and purpose?
☐ each paragraph has a clear main point?
☐ each paragraph includes explanation or evidence?
☐ each paragraph links back to the assignment question?
☐ the paragraphs connect in a logical order?
☐ any sections that need to be moved, removed or expanded?
☐ the conclusion sums up the main points and provides closure?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Edit Step 7: Edit sentence by sentence

Aim: Improve sentence clarity, precision and flow.

Action: Use text-to-speech to review one sentence at a time.

Listen for

awkward wording
missing words
sentences that are too long
unclear meaning
repeated words or phrases
punctuation errors
changes in tone
sentences that sound incomplete

Ask yourself

Can I say this more clearly?
Is this sentence too long?
Have I used the right word?
Does this sentence make sense when I hear it aloud?

Try to make each sentence

clear
concise
complete
relevant to the assignment
suitable for academic writing

Tip: Slow down the text-to-speech speed if needed. It can be easier to notice missing words, awkward phrasing and punctuation errors when the text is read more slowly.

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ awkward wording?
☐ missing words?
☐ sentences that are too long?
☐ unclear meaning?
☐ repeated words or phrases?
☐ punctuation errors?
☐ sentences that sound incomplete?
☐ each sentence is clear, complete and relevant?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Edit Step 8: Use Microsoft Editor or another grammar tool

Aim: Check spelling, grammar, punctuation and style suggestions.

Action: Use an editing tool to review suggested refinements.

In Microsoft Word, go to: Review > Editor

Look at suggestions for

spelling
grammar
punctuation
clarity
conciseness
vocabulary
formality

Pay attention to

very long sentences
unclear wording
repeated sentence structures
informal language
unnecessary words

Reminder: The tool gives suggestions, but you are still in control. Only accept changes that keep your meaning correct.

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ spelling suggestions?
☐ grammar suggestions?
☐ punctuation suggestions?
☐ clarity suggestions?
☐ conciseness suggestions?
☐ vocabulary or formality suggestions?
☐ I have checked each suggestion before accepting it?
☐ I have only accepted changes that keep my meaning correct?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Edit Step 9: Check vocabulary and word choice

Aim: Make sure your words are clear, accurate and appropriate for the assignment.

Action: Use a dictionary, thesaurus, subject glossary or unit materials to check words you are unsure about.

If a word sounds unclear, repeated or too informal, check it before changing it.

You can use

Word Thesaurus
Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
a subject glossary
your unit readings or lecture notes

Ask before changing a word

Meaning: Does this word mean exactly what I intend?
Context: Does the word fit this sentence?
Subject accuracy: Is this the correct term for my topic or discipline?
Grammar: Does the word fit grammatically in the sentence?
Tone: Is the word suitable for academic writing?
Clarity: Does the word make the sentence easier to understand?

Before replacing a word, try reading the sentence with the new word included. If the sentence sounds awkward, unclear or too complicated, keep the simpler word.

Tip: Do not choose a word just because it sounds more academic. The best word is usually the clearest and most accurate word.

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ I understand what each key word means?
☐ the word fits the sentence?
☐ the word is correct for my subject or discipline?
☐ the word fits grammatically?
☐ the word keeps my meaning accurate?
☐ the word is suitable for academic writing?
☐ the wording is clear, not just more complicated?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Check Step 10: Check referencing and citations

Aim: Make sure your sources are acknowledged correctly.

Action: Check your in-text citations, direct quotes, paraphrases and reference list.

Review

in-text citations
direct quotes
paraphrased information
reference list
DOI or URL formatting, if required
author names and dates
italics, punctuation and spacing

Ask yourself

Have I cited all sources I used?
Do my in-text citations match my reference list?
Is my reference list in the correct style?
Have I followed my unit’s referencing instructions?

Use the referencing style required by your unit, such as APA 7.

You may use tools such as: Zotero, EndNote, Microsoft Word referencing tools, or the ECU Referencing Library Guide.

Tip: Check one referencing example at a time. Compare your citation or reference list entry against the ECU Referencing Guide rather than trying to check the whole list at once.

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ all sources I used are cited?
☐ direct quotes have page numbers, if required?
☐ paraphrased information is cited?
☐ in-text citations match the reference list?
☐ the reference list follows the required style?
☐ author names and dates are correct?
☐ I have checked the ECU Referencing Guide or unit instructions?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Check Step 11: Check formatting and layout

Aim: Make sure your assignment is formatted correctly and is easy to navigate.

Action: Compare your document against the unit instructions or assignment guidelines.

Check

headings and subheadings
font and font size
line spacing
paragraph spacing
page numbers
margins
title page, if required
tables, figures or appendices
file name
file type, such as Word or PDF

Microsoft Word tools

Navigation Pane to check headings and structure
Outline View to review the overall layout
Styles to keep headings consistent

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ headings and subheadings?
☐ font and font size?
☐ line spacing and paragraph spacing?
☐ page numbers?
☐ margins?
☐ title page, if required?
☐ tables, figures or appendices, if included?
☐ file name and file type?
☐ the formatting matches the unit instructions?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Submit Step 12: Do a final listen-through

Aim: Find final small errors before submitting.

Action: Use text-to-speech one last time from beginning to end.

Listen for

missing words
repeated words
unclear sentences
final punctuation errors
awkward sections
anything that does not match the assignment question

You may also run Microsoft Editor or your spelling and grammar checker one final time.

Before moving on, have I checked:

☐ missing words?
☐ repeated words?
☐ unclear sentences?
☐ final punctuation errors?
☐ awkward sections?
☐ anything that does not match the assignment question?
☐ I have only made small final corrections?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Submit Step 13: Submit and confirm

Aim: Make sure the correct file has been submitted successfully.

Action: Upload your assignment, then check that the submission worked.

Before submitting, check

you are uploading the correct file
the file opens properly
the file is in the required format
the file name is appropriate
the submission location is correct
the due date and time are correct

After submitting

check that the upload was successful
save or download the submission receipt, if available
keep a copy of your final submitted assignment

Before finishing, have I checked:

☐ I am uploading the correct file?
☐ the file opens properly?
☐ the file is in the required format?
☐ the file name is appropriate?
☐ the submission location is correct?
☐ the due date and time are correct?
☐ the upload was successful?
☐ I have saved or downloaded the submission receipt, if available?
☐ I have kept a copy of my final submitted assignment?

Back to Quick Roadmap

Quick checklist before I submit

Use this final checklist when you are almost ready to submit.

☐ the assignment question and marking criteria?
☐ my plan and main points?
☐ my dictated or typed draft for obvious errors?
☐ spelling, grammar and punctuation?
☐ structure and paragraph flow?
☐ sentence clarity using text-to-speech?
☐ vocabulary and word choice?
☐ referencing and reference list?
☐ formatting and layout?
☐ file name and file type?
☐ submission location and due date?
☐ that the upload was successful?

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