Reading Assignment Sheets

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Why Read the Assignment Sheet?

It is much more efficient to read an assignment sheet several times before and as you write rather than having to rewrite an entire paper because it doesn't address the assignment prompt. This checklist can help you identify need-to-know areas that your assignment sheet will cover.

The Basics

__ Due date, as well as smaller due dates (rough drafts, outlines, etc)

__ Length

__ Formatting structure (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.)

__ Percentage of grade

The Purpose: Questions to Ask

__ Is your purpose to persuade, inform, analyze, summarize, or something else?

__ Will you be using evidence and sources?

__ What is the prompt specifically asking you to do?

__ Who is your audience?

The Rubric: How You Will Be Graded

Rubrics are created so that students know exactly how they will be graded on a particular assignment, so read the rubric in order to determine how many points your professor will assign for each category. This will help you know where to focus your time! For example, in the below rubric, the professor assigns forty points for the thesis, and five points for formatting. This signals that the thesis is the most important sentence in the paper and the student should spend time developing it, revising it, and ensuring the paper stays on topic.

Timeline for Due Dates

It's never a good idea to try to write a paper the night before it's due. Based on your assignment, break the essay apart into chunks and set due dates for each. That way, you can steadily work towards a goal. Feel free to print or make a copy of the checklist below, and modify it for your own needs.