Vocabulary

to synthesize	creativity	logical connections	rate
to make inferences to sharpen to interpret application to justify background to support	to promote self-reflection to draw conclusions to recommend assumption approach adequate	cognitive recognition evaluation synthesis analysis to distinguish to be valid	estimate assess to advise to arrange to manage to categorize to debate

Academic writing assignments

ObjectivesIn this unit you will:	identify kinds of academic assignments;
	analyze short writing assignments;
	analyze longer writing assignments;
	analyze a model assignment; learn what lead-in, assignment task, kinds of support are; know what instructions in assignment are.

Starting up

Ex. 1. Identifying kinds of academic assignments.

• With the class or in small groups, list the kinds of assignments you have had so far in your academic studies. You do not need to restrict yourself to writing assignments.

• Place a  next to those which require critical thinking.

Introduction

The Writing Process: A Preview

Another way you will use your critical-thinking skills in your academic course work is in writing. Completing an academic writing assignment is a thinking process which involves several activities.

The writing process

Activity Description

Brainstorming Gathering/Generating/Planning ideas

Organizing Making a formal plan (outline)

Writing Composing the paragraph or the essay

Revising Making major changes

Proofreading and editing Fixing minor errors

This process of writing begins with the assignment. The assignment may be oral or written out in detail. Some assignments may be clearly delivered and offer you a great deal of direction, while others may offer too much leeway, causing you to feel lost at first. Some assignments will be extended, allowing you a few weeks to complete them (e.g., term papers, theses, lab reports). However, other assignments may be due within a week or two (e.g., short papers, journal entries). Perhaps the most intense writing assignment is the essay test, which may have a strict time limit.

Regardless of the various time limits, all assignments must be followed precisely. It is important for you to read the assignments carefully and understand them. If you misread an assignment, your final paper may be off focus or off topic. Such papers may fail based on content even if the organization, grammar, and presentation are excellent. It follows that you must never change an assignment to suit your interests or knowledge. For example, if you cannot answer a question on an essay test, do not rewrite the question. Answer the professor's question in the best way you can because you might be given partial credit. However, if you change the question, you might not get any credit.

Following an assignment involves understanding its wording and design. Here are some common terms used in academic writing assignments.

Analyze

An analysis is the study or examination of the parts of something or aspects of an idea. How do the parts function? What is their purpose or importance? How do the ideas relate to one another? What is your personal opinion or judgment?

Argue

Argument requires taking a position in favor of or in opposition to an issue. State your position and defend it. Explain what should be done about a problem. Be sure to indicate that you understand the opposing viewpoint(s). (Argumentation is stronger than a response.)

Classify

Classification involves arranging or organizing things into categories (kinds or types). Define each category and illustrate it.

Compare and Contrast

Comparison involves examining qualities and characteristics in order to find similarities between two or more things; contrasting requires analysis of the differences between them. The assignment should clarify whether the focus is to be on similarities, differences, or both.

Define

Defining involves giving the formal definition of a term or thing by stating the term, class (or category) to which it belongs, and the features that distinguish it from other members of that class. It may also require writing an extended definition, which would include examples, details, and explanations.

Describe/Explain/Discuss

These terms are used broadly and require complete and detailed answers to a topic. You may have to describe a place or physical structure of some kind, give a chronological (time order) explanation, enumerate or list major points, examine causes or define a process, and compare or contrast. The other vocabulary in the assignment will guide you.

Enumerate

Enumeration is a general term for listing, classifying, and recounting one by one the major points. This term is basic to almost all rhetorical methods, especially comparison/contrast, process, cause, effect, exemplification, and classification.

Evaluate

In an evaluation, you have to analyze a text or work and judge its merits or correctness as well as its short­comings. You may also need to examine advantages and disadvantages and give personal opinions on each side.

Explain

To write an effective explanation, provide support to clarify your points. Tell how and why. Anticipate the reader's questions and provide detailed answers. Look at causes and/or effects, or describe a process.