Understanding your assignment
How do I know what my professor wants me to submit for this assignment?
The short answer: Read your assignment!
- Does it say what types of sources you should use?
- Does the description use words like "describe", "respond", "summarize", or "create"?
The Student Success Centre offers handouts and workshops for getting started with a writing assignment. Try this one: Understanding Key Words in Writing Assignments.
Librarian tip!
Students often lose marks for overlooking instructions in the assignment. It is a good idea when you receive the assignment to go through it carefully with your pen and highlighter, and identify all of the components outlined, making sure you know what everything means. Take a moment to think about what skills or knowledge you are meant to gain by completing this assignment, and how it fits with the course objectives.
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