![\"Five](\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2016\/06\/23185522\/2160949847_9af7812ba5_z-300x225.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFortunately, most writing assignments include some directions and parameters, and these constraints can help you feel less daunted when you set out to find a topic or begin writing. Understanding what your instructor expects in the final paper is often the best place to start.\r\n\r\n1. Read the assignment carefully.<\/strong>\r\n\r\n2. What question(s) are being asked? Do you understand them?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIf you encounter unfamiliar terms or concepts in the assignment, review your assigned readings and class notes. For example, if you\u2019re taking a class on eighteenth-century British history, and the assignment asks you to provide evidence of \u201cEnlightenment thinking\u201d in a certain author\u2019s work\u2014and you\u2019re not sure Enlightenment thinking means\u2014you\u2019ll probably want to go back to your readings and check your notes. A dictionary won\u2019t be much help. If you\u2019re still unsure, ask your instructor for clarification.\r\n\r\n3. What kind of paper are you being asked to write?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nKnowing what kind of writing you\u2019ll be doing can help you narrow your focus and organize your approach. Clues can be found in the verbs used in the assignment: Are you being asked to analyze<\/em> a historical event, compare<\/em> and contrast<\/em> two films, discuss<\/em> works by different authors?\r\n\r\n4. Who is the audience for this paper?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nKnowing your audience can help you decide whether you\u2019ll be writing for someone who is familiar with your topic (e.g., your instructor) or not (e.g., your classmates or family). That, in turn, may influence your thoughts about the main points you are trying to get across and what is most important for you to cover.\r\n\r\n5. What sources will you need in order to fulfill the assignment? Are your own opinions permissible, or are you expected to support your claims with evidence from other sources?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nEven if you are required to consult or cite a certain number of academic sources, you may be able to start thinking about a topic or do some initial brainstorming before you head to the library. For example, if your assignment asks you to \u201cexplore the reasons for the growing opioid epidemic in America today,\u201d and you\u2019ve been discussing this issue in class all term, you may have enough ideas to do some brainstorming and get started\u2014even if you will need to do additional research.","rendered":"<\/p>\n
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Fortunately, most writing assignments include some directions and parameters, and these constraints can help you feel less daunted when you set out to find a topic or begin writing. Understanding what your instructor expects in the final paper is often the best place to start.<\/p>\n
1. Read the assignment carefully.<\/strong><\/p>\n 2. What question(s) are being asked? Do you understand them?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you encounter unfamiliar terms or concepts in the assignment, review your assigned readings and class notes. For example, if you\u2019re taking a class on eighteenth-century British history, and the assignment asks you to provide evidence of \u201cEnlightenment thinking\u201d in a certain author\u2019s work\u2014and you\u2019re not sure Enlightenment thinking means\u2014you\u2019ll probably want to go back to your readings and check your notes. A dictionary won\u2019t be much help. If you\u2019re still unsure, ask your instructor for clarification.<\/p>\n 3. What kind of paper are you being asked to write?<\/strong><\/p>\n Knowing what kind of writing you\u2019ll be doing can help you narrow your focus and organize your approach. Clues can be found in the verbs used in the assignment: Are you being asked to analyze<\/em> a historical event, compare<\/em> and contrast<\/em> two films, discuss<\/em> works by different authors?<\/p>\n 4. Who is the audience for this paper?<\/strong><\/p>\n Knowing your audience can help you decide whether you\u2019ll be writing for someone who is familiar with your topic (e.g., your instructor) or not (e.g., your classmates or family). That, in turn, may influence your thoughts about the main points you are trying to get across and what is most important for you to cover.<\/p>\n 5. What sources will you need in order to fulfill the assignment? Are your own opinions permissible, or are you expected to support your claims with evidence from other sources?<\/strong><\/p>\n Even if you are required to consult or cite a certain number of academic sources, you may be able to start thinking about a topic or do some initial brainstorming before you head to the library. For example, if your assignment asks you to \u201cexplore the reasons for the growing opioid epidemic in America today,\u201d and you\u2019ve been discussing this issue in class all term, you may have enough ideas to do some brainstorming and get started\u2014even if you will need to do additional research.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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