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Explain the assignment in your own words
Do I understand the basic vocabulary of the assignment? What is it asking me to do (in my own words)?
Is my purpose for writing specified in the assignment?
Does the assignment ask me to use specific types of evidence? Where will I get the evidence? What kinds of sources will I consult?
Enter your answers below.
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I can help — below I’ll (1) explain common assignment vocabulary, (2) show how to restate an assignment in your own words, (3) tell you how to check whether the purpose is specified, and (4) explain where to get the evidence and what kinds of sources to use. At the end I give a short fill-in template and example answers you can adapt.
1) Common vocabulary (what instructors usually mean)
- Analyze: break the topic into parts and explain relationships, causes, or implications.
- Argue / take a position / defend: choose a clear claim and support it with reasons and evidence.
- Evaluate / assess: judge strengths and weaknesses or weigh alternatives against criteria.
- Compare / contrast: show similarities and differences and explain their significance.
- Describe / summarize: present main features or the gist without adding new interpretation.
- Discuss: a mix — present evidence, consider different sides, and interpret.
- Synthesize: combine ideas from multiple sources to make a new point.
- Critique: point out problems as well as strengths, often using a standard or theory.
- Primary source: original material from the period or event (data, interviews, documents).
- Secondary source: analysis or interpretation of primary sources (scholarly articles, books).
2) How to restate the assignment in your own words
- Identify the task verb (analyze, argue, compare, etc.).
- Identify the subject/topic and any limits (time period, case, population).
- Identify the required product (essay, presentation, research paper, lab report), length, and due date.
- Identify any formatting/citation or source requirements (minimum number/type of sources).
Example of a restatement:
Assignment: “Write a 1500–2000 word argumentative essay about whether social media increases teenagers’ anxiety. Use at least 5 peer-reviewed articles and one primary data set.”
Restate in your own words: “I need to write a 1500–2000 word essay that takes a clear position about whether social media causes or increases anxiety in teenagers. I must support my claim with at least five scholarly articles and one primary data set.”
3) Is the purpose specified?
- Look for verbs that signal purpose: “argue,” “explain,” “compare,” “evaluate,” “inform,” “persuade.”
- Look for audience clues: “for the class,” “for city council,” “for a general audience.”
- If the assignment uses “argue” or “take a position,” your purpose is persuasive; if it says “explain” or “summarize,” it’s informative.
- If the purpose isn’t clear, ask the instructor: “Should I take a position, or provide a neutral analysis?” or “Who is the intended audience?”
Quick check questions:
- Does the assignment tell you to take a side? Yes/no.
- Does it specify the audience? Yes/no.
- Does it require a specific outcome (proposal, annotated bibliography, data analysis)? Yes/no.
4) Does the assignment ask for specific types of evidence? Where will you get evidence?
- Types instructors commonly require:
- Scholarly/peer-reviewed articles
- Books or book chapters
- Primary sources (interviews, documents, datasets)
- Reputable websites (government, established NGOs, news outlets)
- Course readings
- Statistical data (surveys, public datasets)
- Where to find them:
- Library catalog and subject databases (JSTOR, PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Web of Science)
- Google Scholar
- University library research guides
- Government sites (CDC, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Eurostat)
- Institutional reports (WHO, OECD)
- Primary data sources: archives, datasets (Kaggle, ICPSR), conducting your own survey/interview (if allowed)
- How many and what kinds:
- Follow any numeric requirement (e.g., “at least 5 peer-reviewed sources”).
- If no number is given, aim for a mix: 3–8 quality sources for a short paper (1000–2000 words); more for longer research papers.
- How to evaluate sources:
- Use CRAAP test: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose.
- Prefer peer-reviewed articles, academic books, and official data for claims of fact.
5) Quick research strategy
- Start with the assignment’s keywords -> make a short list of search terms and synonyms.
- Use library databases with filters (peer-reviewed, date range).
- Skim abstracts to select articles.
- Save citations and PDFs; note how each source will support a specific part of your argument.
- If primary data is required, decide if you will use existing datasets or collect your own.
6) Template to enter your answers (copy and fill)
1. Restate the assignment in your own words:
- [Your restatement]
2. Do I understand the basic vocabulary of the assignment?
- Task verb(s) and what they mean to me:
- Any words I’m unsure about:
3. What is the assignment asking me to do (in my own words)?
- Main task:
- Scope/limits (topic, time, population):
- Product required (essay, presentation), length, due date, citation style:
4. Is my purpose for writing specified in the assignment?
- Purpose (inform/persuade/analyze/summarize):
- Intended audience (if stated):
- If unclear, what question will I ask the instructor?
5. Does the assignment ask me to use specific types of evidence?
- Listed evidence types (e.g., peer-reviewed, primary sources):
- Minimum number or format requirements:
6. Where will I get the evidence? What kinds of sources will I consult?
- Databases/websites I will use:
- Primary sources I might use:
- How many sources I plan to use:
- Plan to evaluate sources (how I’ll check credibility):
7. Next steps / timeline:
- Research deadline:
- Outline draft deadline:
- Final draft deadline:
7) Example answers (short)
1. Restatement: “Write a 1200–1500 word persuasive essay arguing whether renewable energy subsidies are worth the cost, with at least 4 academic sources.”
2. Vocabulary: “Argue = take a position and support it; subsidies = government financial support.”
3. What to do: “Choose a side, present evidence for costs and benefits, counter objections, cite sources in APA.”
4. Purpose: “Persuade a general informed audience (class). Purpose is specified (argue).”
5. Evidence asked: “At least 4 academic sources — likely peer-reviewed articles and official cost data.”
6. Sources: “Use Google Scholar, Econ/Policy databases, government energy statistics (EIA), one case study from a country.”
7. Next steps: “Find 6 articles by Friday, draft outline by next Wednesday, full draft one week before due date.”
If you paste the exact assignment text, I’ll rewrite it in plain language and give tailored answers for each numbered item above.
1) Common vocabulary (what instructors usually mean)
- Analyze: break the topic into parts and explain relationships, causes, or implications.
- Argue / take a position / defend: choose a clear claim and support it with reasons and evidence.
- Evaluate / assess: judge strengths and weaknesses or weigh alternatives against criteria.
- Compare / contrast: show similarities and differences and explain their significance.
- Describe / summarize: present main features or the gist without adding new interpretation.
- Discuss: a mix — present evidence, consider different sides, and interpret.
- Synthesize: combine ideas from multiple sources to make a new point.
- Critique: point out problems as well as strengths, often using a standard or theory.
- Primary source: original material from the period or event (data, interviews, documents).
- Secondary source: analysis or interpretation of primary sources (scholarly articles, books).
2) How to restate the assignment in your own words
- Identify the task verb (analyze, argue, compare, etc.).
- Identify the subject/topic and any limits (time period, case, population).
- Identify the required product (essay, presentation, research paper, lab report), length, and due date.
- Identify any formatting/citation or source requirements (minimum number/type of sources).
Example of a restatement:
Assignment: “Write a 1500–2000 word argumentative essay about whether social media increases teenagers’ anxiety. Use at least 5 peer-reviewed articles and one primary data set.”
Restate in your own words: “I need to write a 1500–2000 word essay that takes a clear position about whether social media causes or increases anxiety in teenagers. I must support my claim with at least five scholarly articles and one primary data set.”
3) Is the purpose specified?
- Look for verbs that signal purpose: “argue,” “explain,” “compare,” “evaluate,” “inform,” “persuade.”
- Look for audience clues: “for the class,” “for city council,” “for a general audience.”
- If the assignment uses “argue” or “take a position,” your purpose is persuasive; if it says “explain” or “summarize,” it’s informative.
- If the purpose isn’t clear, ask the instructor: “Should I take a position, or provide a neutral analysis?” or “Who is the intended audience?”
Quick check questions:
- Does the assignment tell you to take a side? Yes/no.
- Does it specify the audience? Yes/no.
- Does it require a specific outcome (proposal, annotated bibliography, data analysis)? Yes/no.
4) Does the assignment ask for specific types of evidence? Where will you get evidence?
- Types instructors commonly require:
- Scholarly/peer-reviewed articles
- Books or book chapters
- Primary sources (interviews, documents, datasets)
- Reputable websites (government, established NGOs, news outlets)
- Course readings
- Statistical data (surveys, public datasets)
- Where to find them:
- Library catalog and subject databases (JSTOR, PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Web of Science)
- Google Scholar
- University library research guides
- Government sites (CDC, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Eurostat)
- Institutional reports (WHO, OECD)
- Primary data sources: archives, datasets (Kaggle, ICPSR), conducting your own survey/interview (if allowed)
- How many and what kinds:
- Follow any numeric requirement (e.g., “at least 5 peer-reviewed sources”).
- If no number is given, aim for a mix: 3–8 quality sources for a short paper (1000–2000 words); more for longer research papers.
- How to evaluate sources:
- Use CRAAP test: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose.
- Prefer peer-reviewed articles, academic books, and official data for claims of fact.
5) Quick research strategy
- Start with the assignment’s keywords -> make a short list of search terms and synonyms.
- Use library databases with filters (peer-reviewed, date range).
- Skim abstracts to select articles.
- Save citations and PDFs; note how each source will support a specific part of your argument.
- If primary data is required, decide if you will use existing datasets or collect your own.
6) Template to enter your answers (copy and fill)
1. Restate the assignment in your own words:
- [Your restatement]
2. Do I understand the basic vocabulary of the assignment?
- Task verb(s) and what they mean to me:
- Any words I’m unsure about:
3. What is the assignment asking me to do (in my own words)?
- Main task:
- Scope/limits (topic, time, population):
- Product required (essay, presentation), length, due date, citation style:
4. Is my purpose for writing specified in the assignment?
- Purpose (inform/persuade/analyze/summarize):
- Intended audience (if stated):
- If unclear, what question will I ask the instructor?
5. Does the assignment ask me to use specific types of evidence?
- Listed evidence types (e.g., peer-reviewed, primary sources):
- Minimum number or format requirements:
6. Where will I get the evidence? What kinds of sources will I consult?
- Databases/websites I will use:
- Primary sources I might use:
- How many sources I plan to use:
- Plan to evaluate sources (how I’ll check credibility):
7. Next steps / timeline:
- Research deadline:
- Outline draft deadline:
- Final draft deadline:
7) Example answers (short)
1. Restatement: “Write a 1200–1500 word persuasive essay arguing whether renewable energy subsidies are worth the cost, with at least 4 academic sources.”
2. Vocabulary: “Argue = take a position and support it; subsidies = government financial support.”
3. What to do: “Choose a side, present evidence for costs and benefits, counter objections, cite sources in APA.”
4. Purpose: “Persuade a general informed audience (class). Purpose is specified (argue).”
5. Evidence asked: “At least 4 academic sources — likely peer-reviewed articles and official cost data.”
6. Sources: “Use Google Scholar, Econ/Policy databases, government energy statistics (EIA), one case study from a country.”
7. Next steps: “Find 6 articles by Friday, draft outline by next Wednesday, full draft one week before due date.”
If you paste the exact assignment text, I’ll rewrite it in plain language and give tailored answers for each numbered item above.
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