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UnderstandingaWritingPrompt211.pdf

Understanding a Writing Prompt Overview for Writing Prompts Before you can choose an effective topic or viewpoint, you need to know the purpose of the

assignment and its requirements. Types of writing assignments can vary from department to

department, class to class, instructor to instructor, and even assignment to assignment. So

before you begin, you need to thoroughly understand the assignment.

Choosing a Topic Sometimes an instructor will assign a topic or provide a list from which you can choose. If this

happens, you can simply begin with the general topic and narrow it down to your specific

viewpoint. Some instructors have very specific instructions, but others may give a general topic

that you then need to consider a smaller element of that general topic. For instance, the topic of

gender is too large of a discussion to write about in a five-page essay, so narrow it down to

gender roles for men or gender expectations for women.

If you must choose your own topic, like for a research paper, here is a list of possible methods

for choosing a topic.

 Look over class notes or previous writings for interesting ideas.

 Focus on discussions, writings, or articles that you find interesting. You may also think

about interesting news stories.

 Consider points or opinions when someone, including the instructor, may have indicated

that not many people discuss or consider.

 Consider any personal experience that you may have to draw from.

 Consider how you might expand a previous writing assignment or explore a different

point of view about that topic.

 Look through textbooks, journals, or other collection of articles for a topic that interests

you.

 Ask your instructor for ideas.

 If you disagree with someone, even if that person is considered an expert, about a topic,

you could mirror their argument but use your own opposing ideas.

Once you have a topic, even if it is a general topic, consider some specific aspects of the

assignment. Here are a few that you need to think about:

1. The purpose and mode of writing

2. The audience of the essay

3. The amount of research necessary and what you already know about your topic before

research

4. Length requirements and other minimum requirements

5. Possible approaches (logically, ethically, emotionally)

6. How your writing will be graded

a. Original thoughts

b. Use of appropriate research or other evidence

c. Use of correct writing strategies

d. Style of writing, including use of grammar

The Assignment Prompt If the assignment is written in an official prompt, you should read the document carefully. What

specific words are used in the prompt? Those words will help you determine how you should

approach this essay.

 Argue (agree/disagree)

 Criticize

 Define

 Describe

 Discuss

 Evaluate

 Explain

 Compare and contrast

 Reflect

 Summarize

If there are topic-specific terms that appear in discussion and articles about your topic, you

should familiarize yourself with them. Make sure you fully understand the term’s definition in

relation to the topic, its context or history, and its correct usage in a sentence.

If you have a prompt that includes suggestions for writing, consider how you could use those

suggestions to structure your argument. This could also help with an outline.

If the prompt specifies that you are to use a certain strategy for writing, make sure you

understand that method of structuring an essay, including use of transitions.

Have a working thesis idea, or central idea that you are building around in writing and research.

This idea is not set in stone, so it may change or evolve over the course of your writing. You can

edit this thesis idea into your actual thesis statement later in the writing process.

Once you come up with your topic and your specific viewpoint, you can start the writing process.