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A writing assignment consists of instructions for how to meet specific learning goals. How this is communicated (in a well-constructed assignment) is through terminology. Your task is to (a) find the magic key terms (usually “action” verbs), and (b) use them to figure out what learning goals the instructor is asking you to accomplish.
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Learning Goal | Demonstrate | Relate | Analyze | Evaluate |
Definition | Show what you know | Show relationship between concepts, eras, themes | Show a text’s purpose and how it achieves the purpose— | Show whether theories, claims, or positions are good or bad, proved or not proved |
Magic Key Terms Change link | define describe restate summarize | connect find an example compare/contrast classify | deconstruct organize attribute examine identify | assess explain justify opinion |
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Remember to make notes as you decode. They are These will be the foundation of what you will write.
Finally, when you are in the first steps of a writing assignment, separate the brainstorming from the editing. Reading for error and polishing can come later.
Example of a Decoded Assignment
Embedded Google Drive File url https://docs.google.com/document/d/13n0aMtFTXdlyTMLCbswcNWJtAEGoafjlf_8NwX6LFes/edit?usp=drivesdk fullwidth true height 600
References
Rank, A., & Pool, H. (2014). Writing Better Writing Assignments. PS: Political Science & Politics,47(3), 675-681. doi:10.1017/S1049096514000821
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