COLLEGE PAPERBUDDY IS NOW AVAILABLE!

So, you’ve been given an assignment to write a research paper. Where and
how do you start?

First, it’s important that you review the assignment sheet carefully to locate the
one sentence that directly states what it is that you’re supposed to write about.

It’s often helpful to take a highlighter and read over each sentence—scrutinize
each word and figure out what the sentence is saying and if it tells you anything
about your task. As you read over each sentence, highlight the sentences that
don’t offer you any hints or clues about what you’re supposed to write about.
Yes, this kind of sounds crazy since we normally highlight the important stuff in
textbooks. But, when looking for the main idea of an assignment sheet, it’s
easier to cross out the fluff. You can think of the highlighted words as being
synonymous with fluff. This way, when you look at the assignment sheet, you’ll
focus on the few words that have not been highlighted and you won’t be
distracted with the other words the professor threw in to sound smart. Note:
Highlighting is better than using pens, because you’ll need to read the
highlighted sentences later on when you write your thesis statement.

Usually, the assignment sheet begins with background information for the topic
of the assignment. After a few sentences, you’ll find that one sentence, or a
couple of sentences, that says what you’re supposed to do next. Keywords and
phrases that often indicate that the information is important might include: “Now
you must,” “Using what we’ve covered this term,” or “Take this information and
apply it (to something).” Basically, look for commands and action verbs. Look
for the verbs like research, write, compose, construct, and argue. Don’t highlight
these important sentences.

Continue this process until you’ve read over the entire assignment. Additional
sentences to leave uncovered include any specifications the instructor has for
the paper (such as how many sources you need to use, the word count or length
requirements of the paper, when the paper will be due, and, possibly, formatting
requirements, such as margin width and font requirements).*

* For examples of de-coded assignment sheets, check out the College PaperBuddy e-book.