There are a number of principles to follow when asking students to produce individual work. It should be carefully related to their present abilities, resources and time available; it should be varied not stereotyped, talking into account students' interests,particular skills, current situations or opportunities; at the same time it should be clearly defined so that the students know what is expected of them; completed work should be taken seriously and not given cursory recognition; finally, it is likely to make the maximum contribution to an individual's progress, as well as to that of the whole class, if it is carefully integrated into the course and, whenever possible, the classroom teaching situation.