{"id":2238,"date":"2020-06-03T20:39:48","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T20:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/?post_type=chapter&p=2238"},"modified":"2020-06-26T20:17:24","modified_gmt":"2020-06-26T20:17:24","slug":"types-of-writing-assignments","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/chapter\/types-of-writing-assignments\/","title":{"raw":"Types of Writing Assignments","rendered":"Types of Writing Assignments"},"content":{"raw":"
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Three Common Types of College Writing Assignments<\/h2>\r\nWe have been decoding the expectations of the academic writing task so far, and I want to turn now to examine the types of assignments you might receive. From my experience, you are likely to get three kinds of writing assignments based upon the instructor\u2019s degree of direction for the assignment. We\u2019ll take a brief look at each kind of academic writing task.\r\n\r\nThe Closed Writing Assignment<\/strong>\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is Creon a character to admire or condemn?\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Does your advertisement employ techniques of propaganda, and if so what kind?\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Was the South justified in seceding from the Union?\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In your opinion, do you believe Hamlet was truly mad?\r\n\r\nThese kinds of writing assignments present you with two counter claims and ask you to determine from your own analysis the more valid claim. They resemble yes-no questions. These topics define the\u00a0claim for you, so the major task of the writing assignment then is working out the support for the claim. They resemble a math problem in which the teacher has given you the answer and now wants you to \u201cshow your work\u201d in arriving at that answer.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nBe careful with these writing assignments, however, because often these topics don\u2019t have a simple yes\/no, either\/or answer (despite the nature of the essay question). A close analysis of the subject matter often reveals nuances and ambiguities within the question that your eventual claim should reflect. Perhaps a claim such as, \u201cIn my opinion, Hamlet was mad\u201d might work, but I urge you to avoid such a simplistic thesis. This thesis would be better: \u201cI believe Hamlet\u2019s unhinged mind borders on insanity but doesn\u2019t quite reach it.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe Semi-Open Writing Assignment<\/strong>\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Discuss the role of law in Antigone<\/em>.\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Explain the relationship between character and fate in Hamlet.\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Compare and contrast the use of setting in two short stories.\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Show how the Fugitive Slave Act influenced the Abolitionist Movement.\r\n\r\nAlthough these topics chart out a subject matter for you to write upon, they don\u2019t offer up claims you can easily use in your paper. It would be a misstep to offer up claims such as, \u201cLaw plays a role in Antigone<\/em>\u201d or \u201cIn Hamlet we can see a relationship between character and fate.\u201d Such statements express the obvious and what the topic takes for granted. The question, for example, is not whether law plays a role in Antigone, but rather what sort of role law plays. What is the nature of this role? What influences does it have on the characters or actions or theme? This kind of writing assignment resembles a kind of archeo- logical dig. The teacher cordons off an area, hands you a shovel, and says dig here and see what you find.\r\n\r\nBe sure to avoid summary and mere explanation in this kind of assignment. Despite using key words in the assignment such as \u201cex- plain,\u201d \u201cillustrate,\u201d analyze,\u201d \u201cdiscuss,\u201d or \u201cshow how,\u201d these topics still ask you to make an argument. Implicit in the topic is the expectation that you will analyze the reading and arrive at some insights into pat- terns and relationships about the subject. Your eventual paper, then, needs to present what you found from this analysis\u2014the treasure you\u00a0found from your digging. Determining your own claim represents the biggest challenge for this type of writing assignment.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Open Writing Assignment<\/strong>\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Analyze the role of a character in Dante\u2019s The Inferno.\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What does it mean to be an \u201cAmerican\u201d in the 21st Century?\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Analyze the influence of slavery upon one cause of the Civil War.\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Compare and contrast two themes within Pride and Prejudice.<\/em>\r\n\r\nThese kinds of writing assignments require you to decide both your writing topic and you claim (or thesis). Which character in the Inferno will I pick to analyze? What two themes in Pride and Prejudice will I choose to write about? Many students struggle with these types of assignments because they have to understand their subject matter well before they can intelligently choose a topic. For instance, you need a good familiarity with the characters in The Inferno before you can pick one. You have to have a solid understanding defining elements of American identity as well as 21st\u00a0century culture before you can begin to connect them. This kind of writing assignment resembles riding a bike without the training wheels on. It says, \u201cYou decide what to write about.\u201d The biggest decision, then, becomes selecting your topic and limiting it to a manageable size.\r\n\r\nPicking and Limiting a Writing Topic<\/strong>\r\n\r\nLet\u2019s talk about both of these challenges: picking a topic and limit- ing it. Remember how I said these kinds of essay topics expect you to choose what to write about from a solid understanding of your subject? As you read and review your subject matter, look for things that in- terest you. Look for gaps, puzzling items, things that confuse you, or connections you see. Something in this pile of rocks should stand out as a jewel: as being \u201cdo-able\u201d and interesting. (You\u2019ll write best when you write from both your head and your heart.) Whatever topic you choose, state it as a clear and interesting question. You may or may not state this essay question explicitly in the introduction of your paper (I actually recommend that you do), but it will provide direction for your paper and a focus for your claim since that claim will be your answer to this essay question. For example, if with the Dante topic you decided to write on Virgil, your essay question might be: \u201cWhat is the role of Virgil toward the character of Dante in The Inferno?\u201d The thesis statement, then, might be this: \u201cVirgil\u2019s predominant role as Dante\u2019s guide through hell is as the voice of reason.\u201d Crafting a solid essay question is well worth your time because it charts the territory of your essay and helps you declare a focused thesis statement.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nMany students struggle with defining the right size for their writ- ing project. They chart out an essay question that it would take a book to deal with adequately. You\u2019ll know you have that kind of topic if you have already written over the required page length but only touched one quarter of the topics you planned to discuss. In this case, carve out one of those topics and make your whole paper about it. For instance, with our Dante example, perhaps you planned to discuss four places where Virgil\u2019s role as the voice of reason is evident. Instead of discuss- ing all four, focus your essay on just one place. So your revised thesis statement might be: \u201cClose inspection of Cantos I and II reveal that Virgil serves predominantly as the voice of reason for Dante on his journey through hell.\u201d A writing teacher I had in college said it this way: A well tended garden is better than a large one full of weeds. That means to limit your topic to a size you can handle and support well.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhat Is \u201cAcademic\u201d Writing?\u00a0by L. Lennie Irvin<\/em>\r\n\r\nThis essay is a chapter in Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, <\/em>Volume 1, a peer-reviewed open textbook series for the writing classroom, and is published through Parlor Press.\r\n\r\nThe full volume and individual chapter downloads are available for free from the following sites:\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Writing Spaces: http:\/\/writingspaces.org\/essays<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Parlor Press: http:\/\/parlorpress.com\/writingspaces<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WAC Clearinghouse: http:\/\/wac.colostate.edu\/books\/<\/a>\r\n\r\nPrint versions of the volume are available for purchase directly from Parlor Press and through other booksellers.\r\n\r\nThis essay is available under a Creative Commons License subject to the Writing Spaces Terms of Use. More information, such as the specific license being used, is available at the bottom of the first page of the chapter.\r\n\r\n\u00a9 2010 by the respective author(s). For reprint rights and other permissions, contact the original author(s).\r\n\r\nLibrary of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Writing spaces : readings on writing. Volume 1 \/ edited by Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansk p. cm.\r\n\r\nIncludes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-60235-184-4 (pbk. : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-60235-185-1\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"
\n

Three Common Types of College Writing Assignments<\/h2>\n

We have been decoding the expectations of the academic writing task so far, and I want to turn now to examine the types of assignments you might receive. From my experience, you are likely to get three kinds of writing assignments based upon the instructor\u2019s degree of direction for the assignment. We\u2019ll take a brief look at each kind of academic writing task.<\/p>\n

The Closed Writing Assignment<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is Creon a character to admire or condemn?<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Does your advertisement employ techniques of propaganda, and if so what kind?<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Was the South justified in seceding from the Union?<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In your opinion, do you believe Hamlet was truly mad?<\/p>\n

These kinds of writing assignments present you with two counter claims and ask you to determine from your own analysis the more valid claim. They resemble yes-no questions. These topics define the\u00a0claim for you, so the major task of the writing assignment then is working out the support for the claim. They resemble a math problem in which the teacher has given you the answer and now wants you to \u201cshow your work\u201d in arriving at that answer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Be careful with these writing assignments, however, because often these topics don\u2019t have a simple yes\/no, either\/or answer (despite the nature of the essay question). A close analysis of the subject matter often reveals nuances and ambiguities within the question that your eventual claim should reflect. Perhaps a claim such as, \u201cIn my opinion, Hamlet was mad\u201d might work, but I urge you to avoid such a simplistic thesis. This thesis would be better: \u201cI believe Hamlet\u2019s unhinged mind borders on insanity but doesn\u2019t quite reach it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Semi-Open Writing Assignment<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Discuss the role of law in Antigone<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Explain the relationship between character and fate in Hamlet.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Compare and contrast the use of setting in two short stories.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Show how the Fugitive Slave Act influenced the Abolitionist Movement.<\/p>\n

Although these topics chart out a subject matter for you to write upon, they don\u2019t offer up claims you can easily use in your paper. It would be a misstep to offer up claims such as, \u201cLaw plays a role in Antigone<\/em>\u201d or \u201cIn Hamlet we can see a relationship between character and fate.\u201d Such statements express the obvious and what the topic takes for granted. The question, for example, is not whether law plays a role in Antigone, but rather what sort of role law plays. What is the nature of this role? What influences does it have on the characters or actions or theme? This kind of writing assignment resembles a kind of archeo- logical dig. The teacher cordons off an area, hands you a shovel, and says dig here and see what you find.<\/p>\n

Be sure to avoid summary and mere explanation in this kind of assignment. Despite using key words in the assignment such as \u201cex- plain,\u201d \u201cillustrate,\u201d analyze,\u201d \u201cdiscuss,\u201d or \u201cshow how,\u201d these topics still ask you to make an argument. Implicit in the topic is the expectation that you will analyze the reading and arrive at some insights into pat- terns and relationships about the subject. Your eventual paper, then, needs to present what you found from this analysis\u2014the treasure you\u00a0found from your digging. Determining your own claim represents the biggest challenge for this type of writing assignment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The Open Writing Assignment<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Analyze the role of a character in Dante\u2019s The Inferno.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What does it mean to be an \u201cAmerican\u201d in the 21st Century?<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Analyze the influence of slavery upon one cause of the Civil War.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Compare and contrast two themes within Pride and Prejudice.<\/em><\/p>\n

These kinds of writing assignments require you to decide both your writing topic and you claim (or thesis). Which character in the Inferno will I pick to analyze? What two themes in Pride and Prejudice will I choose to write about? Many students struggle with these types of assignments because they have to understand their subject matter well before they can intelligently choose a topic. For instance, you need a good familiarity with the characters in The Inferno before you can pick one. You have to have a solid understanding defining elements of American identity as well as 21st\u00a0century culture before you can begin to connect them. This kind of writing assignment resembles riding a bike without the training wheels on. It says, \u201cYou decide what to write about.\u201d The biggest decision, then, becomes selecting your topic and limiting it to a manageable size.<\/p>\n

Picking and Limiting a Writing Topic<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk about both of these challenges: picking a topic and limit- ing it. Remember how I said these kinds of essay topics expect you to choose what to write about from a solid understanding of your subject? As you read and review your subject matter, look for things that in- terest you. Look for gaps, puzzling items, things that confuse you, or connections you see. Something in this pile of rocks should stand out as a jewel: as being \u201cdo-able\u201d and interesting. (You\u2019ll write best when you write from both your head and your heart.) Whatever topic you choose, state it as a clear and interesting question. You may or may not state this essay question explicitly in the introduction of your paper (I actually recommend that you do), but it will provide direction for your paper and a focus for your claim since that claim will be your answer to this essay question. For example, if with the Dante topic you decided to write on Virgil, your essay question might be: \u201cWhat is the role of Virgil toward the character of Dante in The Inferno?\u201d The thesis statement, then, might be this: \u201cVirgil\u2019s predominant role as Dante\u2019s guide through hell is as the voice of reason.\u201d Crafting a solid essay question is well worth your time because it charts the territory of your essay and helps you declare a focused thesis statement.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Many students struggle with defining the right size for their writ- ing project. They chart out an essay question that it would take a book to deal with adequately. You\u2019ll know you have that kind of topic if you have already written over the required page length but only touched one quarter of the topics you planned to discuss. In this case, carve out one of those topics and make your whole paper about it. For instance, with our Dante example, perhaps you planned to discuss four places where Virgil\u2019s role as the voice of reason is evident. Instead of discuss- ing all four, focus your essay on just one place. So your revised thesis statement might be: \u201cClose inspection of Cantos I and II reveal that Virgil serves predominantly as the voice of reason for Dante on his journey through hell.\u201d A writing teacher I had in college said it this way: A well tended garden is better than a large one full of weeds. That means to limit your topic to a size you can handle and support well.<\/p>\n

\n

What Is \u201cAcademic\u201d Writing?\u00a0by L. Lennie Irvin<\/em><\/p>\n

This essay is a chapter in Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, <\/em>Volume 1, a peer-reviewed open textbook series for the writing classroom, and is published through Parlor Press.<\/p>\n

The full volume and individual chapter downloads are available for free from the following sites:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Writing Spaces: http:\/\/writingspaces.org\/essays<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Parlor Press: http:\/\/parlorpress.com\/writingspaces<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WAC Clearinghouse: http:\/\/wac.colostate.edu\/books\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Print versions of the volume are available for purchase directly from Parlor Press and through other booksellers.<\/p>\n

This essay is available under a Creative Commons License subject to the Writing Spaces Terms of Use. More information, such as the specific license being used, is available at the bottom of the first page of the chapter.<\/p>\n

\u00a9 2010 by the respective author(s). For reprint rights and other permissions, contact the original author(s).<\/p>\n

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Writing spaces : readings on writing. Volume 1 \/ edited by Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansk p. cm.<\/p>\n

Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-60235-184-4 (pbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-60235-185-1<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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