15 College Course Basics
Understanding Assignments
Before you begin working on an essay, don’t forget to spend some time reading and analyzing the assignment sheet, making note of key words, and asking clarifying questions.
If you can break down the assignment sheet, put the task ahead of you in your own words, and specifically recognize what is being asked of you, you are setting yourself up for a smoother journey to avoid issues down the road. Often, students will skim an assignment sheet/prompt or only listen to their instructors’ overview, and, then, when it comes time to begin choosing a topic, researching, and writing they feel lost or confused because they did not follow or fully understand the instructions correctly. This confusion can lead to falling behind in an assignment, feelings of stress, and writer’s block. Another common issue is that students will misinterpret what is being asked of them because of a lack of understanding of the key words and action verbs utilized. For example, when a student will only summarize when the assignment asked them to analyze. These verbs also help you determine what the instructor wants you to learn and demonstrate through this assignment.
When looking at an assignment sheet it might feel daunting and a lot to take in, but if you can deconstruct and understand those overarching components, that can help you not feel too overwhelmed as the weeks go on. Having confidence in knowing and understanding the assignment, will also help you to avoid second-guessing yourself and going back and forth with your ideas.
Here are some steps and questions to consider when you take in your assignment sheet/prompt:
- Determine the purpose and genre of the assignment.
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- What are you being asked to do?
- What are the identifying features and conventions of the genre you are engaging with?
- What end goal are you working towards?
- Identify any assignment questions being asked of you.
What are they?
- Are there implied questions that your instructor wants you to think about? What are they?
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- Make note of what type of research you will engage in and who your audience will be.
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- How many sources do you need to incorporate?
- Do they need to be primary or secondary sources? Scholarly or popular?
- Where does your instructor want you to find your sources?
- Who are you writing to and for?
- What are the audience’s expectations?
- What style of writing does your audience expect or need?
- When is it due?
- Are you required to submit a draft before the final copy?
- Will there be a peer review?
- Is there a rubric? If so, go over the rubric requirements.
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- Finally, identify the disciplinary conventions with which you are expected to write.
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- Does the essay need to be in MLA, APA, CMS, or another style?
- Does the instructor require any specific submission elements or formats?
You can also start with some more reflective questions:
- What do you think the instructor expects you to take away from this assignment?
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