Understand the Assignment
Resist the temptation to start researching immediately. First, figure out what the assignment requires, as different assignment types require different types of information to provide your thesis (aka: main point).
There are a multitude of assignment types, but three of the major ones are:
- Basic Report: The easiest — this type only requires you to find information on your topic and present it as it appears. No analysis or application required.
- Analytical Paper/Presentation: In an analytical assignment, you will have to consider multiple aspects of your topic and present your research findings objectively.
- Argumentative Paper/Presentation: An argumentative paper is common. In this type of paper, you will develop a thesis/hypothesis and support the thesis with evidence from your sources.
Most instructors will tell you explicitly what they want for an assignment. If they do not, you can tell a lot by looking for clues and/or certain words in the assignment instructions.
| Clues in the Instruction | Assignment Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Describe or Summarize | Report | This paper will explore the history of veganism in the United States. |
| Explain, Compare, or Contrast | Analytical paper or presentation | This paper will explain differences in attitudes toward vegans in the 1960s and 1990s. |
| Argue, Persuade, or Evaluate | Argumentative paper or presentation | This paper will argue that eating meat presents serious health risks towards children. |
Still unsure what type of paper you need to write? When in doubt, check with your instructor.