- recognize that different instructors have different requirements and expectations for different writing assignments.
- learn how to analyze writing prompts to find out important requirements for writing assignments and make a detailed plan for writing accordingly.
So far, we have learned basic structure of an essay and all the essential parts that go into each part. However, while taking different courses here at U of I, we will feel challenged to see that different instructors/professors ask you to write different types of writing assignments with different structures and styles where you alone will have to figure out how to apply the knowledge of basic essay structure differently. However, the good news is that most professors give you detailed guidelines on how to approach each assignment. In other words, you will often be provided with detailed information on what and how to write a certain paper. They may even give you examples if you ask. Your job, then, is to study these guidelines thoroughly and follow them exactly. However, many students often do not study them carefully and end up writing a paper with a wrong focus, missing some essential requirements. The goal of this lesson, therefore, is to teach you how to study the writing prompts effectively.
Give the sample writing prompts to students. Have them read the prompts and answer the following questions. Discuss the answers as a class:
1) What is “writing prompt”?
Possible answers: It is a set of directions (guidelines) to help you understand what and how to write an essay/paper.
2) What kinds of information does a prompt typically provide?
Possible answers: Topic, essay questions, length, formatting rules, page limit, requirements on sources to use, etc.
2. [30 min] Analyzing sample prompts
Give the “Analyzing Writing Prompts” handout to students and have them analyze each sample writing prompt. Guide/model them analyzing the first sample writing prompt first and have them do sample 2 and 3 on their own. Discuss the results as a class.
3. [5 min] Other tips for understanding writing prompts
4. How to use writing samples for reverse engineering?
