Library research paper: A paper that incorporates and synthesizes information from multiple bibliographic sources
Article / Book review / Film critique: A summary and reaction to /opinion of an article or book
Summary/abstract: This task is similar to a review but calls only for condensing information. No critique is required.
Report on an experiment/project: A description of an experiment, usually following a
prescribed format dictated by the professor. Lab reports and reports describing group
projects are typical examples.
Proposal / plan: A piece of writing that explains how a future problem or project will be
approached.
Case study: A piece of writing describing and analyzing a particular case situation.
Examples include action research reports and investigations of special business
scenarios.
Journal article: A formal article reporting original research that could be submitted to
an academic journal. Rather than a format dictated by the professor, the writer must
use the conventional form of academic journals in the relevant discipline.
Essay: A composition that calls for exposition of a thesis and is composed of several
paragraphs including an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. It is different from a
library research paper in that the synthesis of bibliographic sources is not required.
Annotated bibliography: An annotated bibliography consists of lists of references with
accompanying description of the information that these sources offer.
Unstructured writing: The type of writing done in journals,electronic discussion boards, blogs, etc. that does not require the formal structure of other tasks listed here. Paragraphing is not necessarily required nor is clear support for one’s ideas.
Short task: This is an assignment less than half a page. Examples include answers to
homework questions and problem sets.
Essay test: An in-class, timed essay in which the writer must synthesize information learned in the course.
Source:
Cooper, A. & Bikowski, D. (2007). Writing at the graduate level: What
tasks do professors actually require? Journal
of English for Academic Purposes, 6(3),
206-221.
