Writing assignments

For example, here is a writing assignment from an AP Biology exam ... 

Both of these are examples of students who don t understand the purpose and power of an introduction. While it can vary slightly from one type of writing assignment to another, the introduction is a critical part of the essay, and if it s not included, it can ruin what might otherwise be a well-written piece. 

When you actually finish your journal article writing assignment, your paper will be written in either the IMRD format ora format specified by a particular journal. If you are... 

Faculty resources An answer key and examples of analytical and holistic grading rubrics for major writing assignments (journal-quality paper, poster, and research proposal) are available at the Web site for faculty adopting the book. 

The first step is reading and understanding your writing assignment. Read your assignment carefully. Then, reread your assignment, asking yourself these questions. 

Some writing assignments give you a question or a topic on which to write. Others are more open-ended and you have to come up with a topic or question that you will address in your writing. What do these different kinds of writing assignments look like Here are some samples. 

When the Topic Is Provided. When a topic is given, your writing assignment might look like these examples. These are the types of writing assignments you will often find on standardized tests and other timed exercises. You are also likely to find these types of exercises in your non-English classes. It s typical for humanities, science, and social science classes to expect you to write about the material you have covered in class. 

When a Topic Is Not Provided. When you are expected to develop your own topic, your writing assignment will be open-ended as the following examples are. Usually you will be given more time to complete these types of writing assignments, and you will often find them in English and composition classes. These types of questions are also common on school application forms. 

Often the assignment will tell you exactly what is wanted in the essay. You just have to identify the key words and provide the information requested. Use the direction words to guide your writing. What are direction words They include words, such as describe, explain, discuss, compare— you ve probably seen them in lots of writing assignments. 

Assume that you have just covered the material requested in each of the following writing assignments. Remember, your task is only to break each writing assignment into its subject and direction words. (Don t worry if you don t know the answers to these questions.) Check your response against the answer key at the back of the book. 

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS ARE written in their own language. If you know how to interpret the language, you will usually know how you should respond. Look for these direction words as you read your assignments. 

Example Translate the writing assignment into its subject and direction words. 

The writing assignment in the previous example could have been written with direction words. 

Get in the habit of interpreting your writing assignments in this way. Here are some examples of writing assignments you are likely to see in your other classes. Don t worry if you can t answer these questions right now. They are intended for a student who has just covered the requested material in class. You aren t supposed to know the answers to these questions. Just focus on how each question is worded with and without direction words. 

Exploring your own areas of expertise. Everyone has unique interests and areas of expertise. You may find that you are already interested in or knowledgeable about a topic that you can expand into a topic to fit a particular writing assignment. These questions may help you identify an appropriate topic. 

Asking others for ideas. Your friends, family, classmates, and coworkers are also good sources of ideas that fit a writing assignment. Talking to others can help you get a better idea of what you think. It can also help you explore what you want to say in your writing. 

List a few good sources for the topic ideas in the following writing assignments,... 

Use one of the techniques described in this lesson to come up with your own topic for each of the following writing assignments. If you need more space than is provided below, use the blank pages at the end of this book. Remember, you only need to list topics, a. Write a five-page research paper about a subject that interests you. 

What is the purpose of the writing assignment Why was this assignment given to me ... 

For each writing assignment described below, tell who the audience is and for what they would be looking in your writing,... 

Choose one of the following topics. Then, brainstorm either alone or in a small group for 10-15 minutes as you list ideas that could be included in a writing assignment. 

Example When given the following writing assignment, this student made a long list of WH-questions about the topic. 

Example This writer used mapping to explore his ideas about legalizing drugs when given the following writing assignment. 

Example Assume you are given this writing assignment. 

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