Introduction

Every research assignment has different directions and requirements. In order to receive the best possible grade, you need to understand the directions and remember your requirements as you work on your assignment.

 Read your directions carefully to make sure you understand all the requirements

Read the directions thoroughly once you get them from your professor. Make sure you comprehend all that you are being asked to do.

One way to make sure you know all the requirements is to highlight or underline any requirements you see.

Step 1  -- Example of highlighted and underlined directions

From Dr. Cheryl Hopson’s “BWJ Source Analysis Essay Assignment” i

This image is a derivative of John Ott's “Paper Texture - Torn Edge 2” used under CC by 2.0

Discuss the assignment with your professor if you are still unsure about how to complete your assignment

Talk to your professor if further clarification is needed. You should approach your professor in a positive, non-confrontational manner. One way to do so is to ask questions like “I think [insert difficult phrase from the assignment] means….do I understand you correctly?”

Keep your directions in front of you as a checklist to make sure that you complete all the requirements

Check off requirements as you complete them.


iCheryl Hopson, “BWJ Source Analysis Essay Assignment” (unpublished manuscript, February 25, 2015), Word file.