Approaching writing assignments in the disciplines

65Approaching writing assignments in the disciplines

When you are asked to write in a specific discipline, or field of study, start by becoming familiar with the distinctive features of the writing in that discipline. Be curious about the discipline’s conventions and expectations for asking and answering questions. Read the assignment carefully and try to identify the purpose of the assignment and the type of evidence you are expected to use. The following sections provide examples of assignments in four disciplines—psychology, business, biology, and nursing—along with excerpts from student papers that were written in response to the assignments.