How To Make Sure You Understand Your Assignment Questions
The first thing to do when you get an assignment is making sure that you understand the question asked. Take time to consider the wording of the question and any other learning outcomes that may accompany it. Ignoring these points could result in an unfocused response, which does not answer the question.
Types Of Assignments
- Essays
- Case Studies
- Reports
- Portfolio items
- Reflective writing
- Learning plans
- Article reviews
- Quizzes, tests, exams
- Plans of care
- Literature reviews
Before researching, plan or write
- Check the word count, deadline, and any guidance from your department.
- Read any learning outcomes or marking criteria.
- If there is a choice of questions, make some initial notes on each one (or a few that appeal) and make a careful decision.
- Unpick your chosen (or given) question and ensure that you understand exactly what it is asking you to do.
Parts Of A Question
- Directive or Task Words: this type of question tells you exactly what to do. E.g. Discuss or Argue.
- Subject Matter: tells you what to write about specifically.
- Limiting words - parts of the question that may narrow or alter the focus of your answer.
How To Break Down An Assignment Question
Make sure you understand your question before attempting to answer it. This includes the subject matter, but also the way in which you are required to write. Different questions may ask you to discuss, outline, evaluate…and many more. The task words are a key part of the question.
How To Narrow Down A Broad Or General Essay Question
- Choose one or two key aspects of the topic to focus your argument around.
- Focus on a few examples rather than trying to cover everything that falls under that topic.
- Decide on a standpoint you want to argue (this applies to specific essay questions too).
- Make sure your introduction explains your chosen focus, aim, and argument.
Getting Started
After breaking down your question, start writing down your ideas, organize your research and figure out what point you want to argue. Do the following:
- Try to come up with a one-word answer to the assignment question (‘yes,’ ‘no,’ ‘maybe’ – or perhaps two words: ‘not quite;’ ‘only sometimes’);
- Then expand the one-word answer into a sentence summarizing your reason for saying that
- Then expand that sentence into three sentences giving slightly more detail. This could be the beginning of your essay plan.
Before you launch into an essay or assignment, it is important to consider the task or question that you have been set. Ask yourself whether it is a broad or narrow question, and if it is broad, which aspect of it do you intend to focus on?