Lesson 2:
Defining Research Needs

Objectives

Understand Your Assignment

Resource Types

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Understand the Assignment

The Assignment Description

When dissecting an assignment, pay close attention to the verbs. Instructors use words like argue, analyze, compare, or describe to guide your approach to a topic. For example, an assignment that asks you to argue requires you to take a position on an issue or idea and support your position with facts, statistics, and quotations. An assignment that requires you to analyze focuses on taking an idea or concept apart and describing the parts in detail.

Look for "multi-part" assignments. Often instructors ask you to accomplish more than one task. Listing or outlining separate parts of an assignment can help you divide a daunting assignment into manageable parts. You also may see which sections will require research beyond what is covered in class.

Take note of special instructions, including format or length restrictions, source requirements (journal articles, empirical research, primary sources, historical newspaper articles, etc.), and grading criteria.

Consider:

• What important verbs are included in the description of your assignment?
• What kind of approach do those verbs indicate?
• Is there more than one part to your assignment? What are the main parts?
• Briefly describe any special instructions given for this assignment.