Analyzing an Assignment

• What is the purpose of the assignment? Are you expected to join a discussion, demonstrate your mastery of the topic in writing, or something else?
• Who is the audience? The instructor will be one audience, but are there others? If so, who are they?
• What does the assignment ask of you? Look for key terms such as summarize, explain, evaluate, interpret, illustrate, and define.
• Do you need clarification of any terms? If so, ask your instructor.
• What do you need to know or find out to complete the assignment? You may need to do background reading, develop a procedure for analyzing or categorizing information, or carry out some other kind of preparation.
• What does the instructor expect in a written response? How will you use sources? What kinds of sources should you use? How should you organize and develop the assignment? What is the expected format and length?
• Can you find a model of an effective response to a similar assignment?
• What do other students think the assignment requires? Talking over an assignment with classmates is one good way to test your understanding.