Online Writing Lab

One of the most important strategies in fully understanding assignments a willingness to ask questions if  ANY part of an assignment is unclear. Asking questions helps everyone involved - you, your fellow classmates and the instructor, as it helps him/her understand the issues students are struggling with most. There are several options for reaching out to your instructor. Most instructors will tell you their preferred method of communication - if a preferred method is noted, be sure to follow it. Options for contacting your instructor at WKU include:

• Post your question to the discussions section in your Blackboard course
• Email your instructor directly. If you choose to email your instructor, please include your course subject, number and section + the reason for your email in the subject line. For example: "ADED 520-700 Question"
• Call the instructor's number provided on the syllabus for the class

If you aren't sure how to reach your instructor, you can look up their contact information in the WKU Directory.

Assignments will often contain a variety of terms that can help you to identify the task or tasks you need to perform. The terms generally fall into one of the following categories:

• Summarize – A summary provides a condensed explanation of key features of the topic at hand. A summary may be required if the assignment includes words such as describe, explain, depict, and illustrate.
• Analyze – If an assignment asks you to analyze something, it is asking for your own logical interpretation of the meaning behind the topic. An analysis differs from a summary as it provides a new understanding about the subject in question, not just an overview. Other words that may be asking for analysis are elaborate, examine, discuss, explore, investigate, and determine.
• Argue – If an assignment asks you to make an argument, you need to take a stand on a topic and develop your claim to show why your position makes sense. It may require a critique of current research or a comparison of different sides of an argument. 

Assignments, written or otherwise, often require several steps. It's important to break down the steps of the assignment into separate parts. Keep in mind that a quality paper will have an argument or thesis that incorporates the various subcategories. Once you write your thesis statement, you can begin to determine what shape your paper should take. (In some cases an instructor might not expect an argument or thesis; however, this is rare. If you suspect a thesis is not needed but don’t know for sure, check with your instructor.) Once you've broken the assignment down, ask yourself the following:

1. What is the goal of this assignment? Are you hoping to understand a certain topic more? For example, the general goal of one of my recent research projects was to identify, understand and explain a basic approach used to make online classes accessible. 
2. What should this paper contain to meet the goal? Highlight each separate task included in the instructions. Consider the terms above as you identify the tasks you need to perform. If the assignment is relatively simple, write out the tasks that will need to be completed.
3. What should the thesis/argument be about? Once you have identified the tasks and goals, determine the main goal. Every paper should have a well-stated, debatable, and complex thesis statement that guides the project, but it might be up to you to figure out what the focus of the argument should be. 
4. How should the paper be structured? Once you have determined the central goal, outline the paper according to how you think it should be completed. The outline will help you organize the material for your paper, ensure that all aspects of the assignment are included and it will highlight the areas that may be unclear or missing.

Imagine you have been given this essay prompt: Summarize the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and how this change will impact the United States. Develop an argument for or against TPP based on your research. Incorporate the ideas presented in the recent BBC special that we watched in class. 

Step One: What Should This Essay Really Contain?
The essay asks for several tasks of various kinds. 1.) A summary of TPP Agreement  2.) An argument in favor or against TPP 3.) An evaluation of how this change will impact the US  4.) An analysis of the points covered on the recently watched BBC special. 

Step Two: What Should The Thesis/Argument Be About?
Though the assignment asks for a summary of TPP first, this summary functions more as a definition that will be used for background information. The argument in favor or against TPP is actually the central focus, as it's supported by the researcher's evaluation of the impact on the US, and the analysis of points covered in the BBC special. Task 2, supported by a short summary of task 3 and 4 will work together to form your thesis. For example, proponents of TPP may begin a thesis statement like this:  While the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) is opposed by some, the evidence provided in the following pages supports the notion that TPP would increase the number of high paying jobs in the US, support American manufacturing.

Step Three: How Should This Essay Be Structured?
With tasks 2 and 3 as the central focus, the introduction should include a summary of TPP, an evaluation in the thesis along with a sense of the proposal. After the thesis, it makes sense to first summarize the present policies and how TPP would change those policies and the impact those changes will have on the US. This will lead to a summary of supporting ideas in the BBC special.