Common Mistakes Students Make in DCE-06 Projects and How to Avoid Them

Common Mistakes Students Make in DCE-06

The DCE-06 project of IGNOU’s Diploma in Creative Writing in English (DCE) is an essential step for each and every student who wishes to hone their writing skills. It provides an opportunity to practically implement all that has been learned in earlier courses — ranging from short story writing through feature writing and other creative categories.

But a lot of students end up losing precious marks or receiving rejections because of preventable errors in their DCE-06 project reports. From improper formatting to poor choice of topics, insufficient analysis, or even no originality, these mistakes can make a major difference in the result.

This piece of writing offers a complete guide on the most prevalent errors IGNOU students commit in their DCE-06 projects — and practical advice on how to steer clear of them.

Why DCE-06 Matters

Before establishing errors, it’s important to know why DCE-06 is important. The DCE-06 project is the culmination of the Diploma in Creative Writing in English program. It enables you to exhibit creativity, framework, and technical writing competence.

The project evaluates how well you can:

Generate original and creative content.

Implement concepts learned in earlier DCE courses (such as DCE-01 to DCE-05).

Adhere to appropriate academic framework and presentation.
In other words, it is not merely a project — it’s your artistic expression.

Most Common Student Mistakes in DCE-06 Projects

Let’s examine the most common and serious mistakes made by IGNOU students while working on their DCE-06 projects — and how to correct them.

1. Selecting a Very Broad or Ambiguous Topic

Fault:

Too many students choose subjects that are too broad, e.g., “The Role of Media in Contemporary Society” or “Digital Platform Writing.” These are too vague and have no direction.
Why It’s a Problem:

General subjects make it impossible to argue or tell a story clearly and hence the report turns out to be jumbled and poorly focused.
How to Avoid It:

Opt for specific, manageable subjects through which you can delve into one idea thoroughly.
For example, instead of “Writing for the Media”, attempt “The Role of Social Media Micro-Articles in Boosting Local Journalism.”

Always consult your project guide about your topic before fixing.

2. Ignoring the Official IGNOU Project Guidelines

Mistake:

Students usually avoid reading the IGNOU project guidelines of DCE-06, thinking they are familiar with the format.
Why It’s a Problem:

Not adhering to official format (font, word count, sections, declaration, certificate, etc.) results in rejection or deduction of marks.
How to Avoid It:

Go through the IGNOU DCE-06 Project Guidelines from the official IGNOU website or study center carefully.

Keep all the compulsory sections such as:

Title Page

Declaration by Student

Certificate by Guide

Acknowledgement

Table of Contents

Introduction, Methodology, Findings, Conclusion, References.

Utilize Times New Roman, 12 pt, double spacing, and proper margins.

3. Lack of Originality or Plagiarized Content

Mistake:

A few students plagiarize ideas, stories, or essays from internet sources.
Why It’s a Problem:

IGNOU checks DCE-06 projects on originality. Plagiarism results in outright rejection.
How to Avoid It:

Express yourself in your own words and voice.
Check for plagiarism using tools like Grammarly or Quetext before submitting.
If you borrow inspiration, properly cite sources under the “References” section.

Be creative — use your own ideas and vision.

4. Weak Structure and Poor Organization

Error: The work tends to lack flow — sections are out of place, arguments are incomplete, and the writing becomes disjointed.
Why It’s a Problem:

Poor organization in a project confuses assessors and diminishes readability.
How to Prevent It:

Establish a logical sequence:

Introduction: Discuss background and purpose.
Methodology: Explain your process or writing method.
Analysis/Content: The body (stories, essays, poems, etc.).
Findings or Observations: Think about what you found out or learned.
Conclusion and Suggestions: Summarize with main learnings.
**References/Bibliography.

5. Weak Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling Errors

Mistake:

Students forget proofreading, resulting in grammatical and spelling errors.
Why It’s a Problem:

As DCE-06 is creative writing in English, grammatical mistakes can greatly cost you your grade.
How to Avoid It:

Use Grammarly, Hemingway, or ProWritingAid for grammar checks.

Read your project aloud to catch awkward sentences.

Have a friend or mentor review your work before submission.

6. Overuse of Advanced Vocabulary or Jargon

Mistake:

In trying to sound “professional,” some students use too many advanced words or literary jargon.
Why It’s a Problem:

Creative writing should be clear, relatable, and expressive. Too technical writing makes it boring or confusing.
How to Avoid It:

Use your language simple, but powerful.
Emphasize clarity, tone, and rhythm.

Employ creative devices (similes, metaphors, imagery) in a natural, not forced way.

7. Lacking the Creative Aspect

Mistake:

Students tend to write in an academic or journalistic tone, forgetting that DCE-06 is all about creativity.
Why It’s a Problem:

The project loses its meaning — it becomes a report, not a creative piece.
How to Avoid It:

Employ narrative strategies: emotion, character development, dialogue, and conflict.
Ensure your writing demonstrates imagination and originality.

Blend various writing styles — poems, short stories, or features — if your guide allows.

8. Inadequate Designed Synopsis or Abstract

Error: A sketchy or insufficient synopsis is a typical problem. Most students regard it as a ritual.
Why It’s a Problem:

Your synopsis is the first impression the examiner forms of your project. A poor one makes your work seem ill-planned.
How to Avoid It:

Clearly summarize your topic, objectives, and anticipated outcomes.

Make it brief (about 250–300 words).

Emphasize your creative theme and meant message.

9. Ignoring the Evaluation Criteria

Mistake: Students tend to overlook how IGNOU assesses the DCE-06 project.
Why It’s a Problem:

You may focus on the wrong things (such as length) at the expense of creativity and structure.
How to Avoid It:

Understand the most important areas for evaluation:

Originality and Creativity

Language and Grammar

Relevance to the Topic

Presentation and Formatting

Adherence to Guidelines
Make sure your project addresses all these areas equally.

10. Late Submission or Missing Deadlines

Mistake: Most students leave their project until the last week.
Why It’s a Problem:

Hasty work usually results in poor writing, improper formatting, and lost papers (such as guide certificates).
How to Avoid It:

Begin early — at least 2 months prior to the submission date.

Develop a timetable:

Week 1–2: Topic selection and approval

Week 3–4: Research and synopsis

Week 5–6: Writing and editing

Week 7: Final proofreading and submission

11. Poor Formatting and Presentation

Mistake:

Students ignore layout, page numbering, margins, and binding.
Why It’s a Problem:

Presentation influences the impression of the examiner. Even excellent content loses its value if it’s presented badly.
How to Avoid It:

A4 white paper, printed or typed clearly.

Double spacing, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman font.

Include headers and page numbers.

Utilize spiral binding or file binding tidily.

12. Missing Certificates and Declarations

Mistake:

Students forget to attach the declaration and guide’s certificate, which are required to submit.
Why It’s a Problem:

These documents are necessary to avoid rejection of your project.
How to Avoid It:

Attach these pages in sequence:

Student Declaration
Guide’s Certificate (with signature and designation)
Acknowledgment

4. Main Project

13. Not Seeking Guidance from a Project Supervisor

Mistake:

Some students work on projects individually without referring to their guides.
Why It’s a Problem:

Guides are allotted to assist in ensuring your topic and writing pass IGNOU’s requirements. Disregarding them poses a risk of rejection.
How to Avoid It:

Keep in touch with your guide on a regular basis.

Submit your draft for comments.

Get their signature on the final certificate.

14. Submitting Without Proofreading

Mistake:

Students complete the project after only one draft.
Why It’s a Problem:

First drafts tend to have errors, inconsistencies, and messy arguments.
How to Avoid It:

Proofread at least 3 times.

Employ both manual reading and digital tools.

Read backward sentence by sentence to detect typos.

15. Weak Conclusion and Lack of Reflection

Mistake: The conclusion is abrupt or repetitive.
Why It’s a Problem:

A weak conclusion leaves your project with an incomplete feel.
How to Avoid It:

Summarize your creative process.

Think about what you learned from the experience.

End with a strong closing message or thought.

Bonus Tips for a Flawless DCE-06 Project

Plan your project ahead — do not leave it for last minute.
Write on a daily basis — short sessions give better flow.
Make backup copies — digital and printed.
Adhere to the word limit — concise writing gets higher marks.
Go through past approved DCE-06 projects for reference.
Take feedback from classmates or mentors.

7. Make it original — reflect you in your writing.

Checklist Before Final Submission

Title page with course information

Student Declaration and Certificate of Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction and Methodology
Main Content of Project
Findings/Analysis
Conclusion and References
Correct pagination and formatting
Free of plagiarism and proofread
Submission within time with proper binding

Conclusion

The DCE-06 project is your chance to reflect your writing personality. Steer clear of errors — such as imprecise topics, plagiarism, shabby organization, and neglecting instructions — to dramatically boost your grades and chances of acceptance.

Keep in mind, IGNOU is interested in original thinking, accuracy, and imagination. With careful planning, attention to detail, and instruction, you can produce a well-written, professional, and creative project that best reflects your writing abilities.

If you’re still unsure where to start, explore sample projects and formats available on AcademicVox.com — your trusted source for IGNOU project guidance, formats, and topic ideas.

Common Mistakes Students Make in DCE-06 Projects and How to Avoid Them