Understanding Assignment Instructions

Hi there, Roxy Readers! I’ve been thinking recently about how intimidating it is to look at assignment instructions, especially when they’re lengthy. We want to be sure to include all the necessities in our essay, and we sometimes spend more time stressing over meeting the instructions than we do writing. So, today, let’s talk about how to break down assignment instructions so that they’re easier to understand.

• Highlight the big picture items
• I often start by highlighting important parts of the assignment instructions. For example, if there is a paragraph in the instructions discussing MLA format, which is a requirement for the assignment, I would highlight only “use MLA format.” Then I can glance at the highlighted words of the paragraph to know what that part of the instructions requires. Later, when I’m ready to format my essay, I can quickly find the paragraph that outlines what I should do.
• Make a checklist
• After highlighting, I pull out a piece of scratch paper and write down a bulleted list of everything the instructor has specified the essay should do. The list includes things such as the topic of the essay, but it also includes any words that I should avoid.
• Making a checklist is helpful for writing and revising. I like to read through my essay a few times while revising, each time focusing on one or two bullet points. If I’ve met those requirements, I check them off the list.
• Re-read the assignment instructions
• After you have written the essay, look back over the assignment instructions to see whether you completed every part. Keep in mind that sometimes it can be easy to miss small specifications or rules, and it is always good to double-check in case you missed something when highlighting or creating your checklist.
• If the instructions ask questions, be sure you’ve answered them all.
• Keep an eye out for words like: “Most importantly”
• If there is a part of the assignment instructions that says, “most importantly,” be sure you have met that requirement. Likely, the entirety of your essay should address whatever is most important according to the assignment instructions.

Thank you, Roxy Readers, for being such a wonderful audience! I hope this takes some of the fear out of looking over assignment instructions. Remember the old saying of how to eat an elephant—one bite at a time? I don’t care for that saying, so I think I’ll say instead: “How do you eat a family-sized box of cookies by yourself? One cookie at a time!” In the same way, it will be easier for you to digest your assignment instructions one highlighted section or bullet point at a time.
 

See you next time the sun is up, the breeze is cool, and the waves roll into view. ‘Til then, hang ten!