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Having a clear understanding of your assignment before you begin researching and writing is critical. Every assignment will have different requirements, and it is normal to have questions about what your assignment entails. This handout describes the different steps you should take before beginning your assignment.
You can find most assignment guidelines in your course syllabus. Your professor may also have a separate document that elaborates on the assignment requirements in greater detail.
You should initially read these documents to find important information about your assignment. These details might include:
Noting these requirements will help you understand the size and scope of your assignment.
Once you understand the basic requirements of your assignment, reread your assignment guidelines and highlight or underline important phrases and requirements. Look for key terms that indicate what type of assignment you’re working on and what is required of you. Words like “analyze” or “contrast” help indicate the type of writing and research you need to complete. Here is a short list of words you may see in your assignment guidelines and what they mean:
Thinking broadly about the purpose of your assignment is another way to understand what is required of you. Why did your professor assign this specific assignment? Are they trying to familiarize you with a particular text, or do they want you to demonstrate your analytical skills? Are you conducting independent research? Asking yourself similar questions can clarify what you’re expected to demonstrate in the assignment.
Additionally, you should consider the audience for your assignment. Although your professor or teaching assistant will grade your assignment, they may not be your primary audience. The audience for a research paper, for instance, is other academics and it is therefore expected that you include academic language. The audience for an op-ed letter, however, may be the general public. As a result, you would want to avoid overly complicated academic terms in favour of a more conversational tone.
While it is important to understand what your assignment requires, it is equally important to understand restrictions placed on your assignment. Assignment guidelines will often specify restrictions or characteristics/elements to avoid. For example, your guidelines may note that you should avoid using news articles in your assignment or that your thesis statement shouldn’t be longer than three sentences.
Once you understand your assignment, you are ready to begin researching and writing! Writing Services has guides on numerous assignment types that can provide additional assistance. Please consult the following for more information on [insert URLs]:
Having additional questions about your assignment is normal. You should always contact your professor or teaching assistant if you have any concerns or questions that are not answered in the syllabus.
Writing Services, Wilfrid Laurier University, CC By-NC 2023