University Secretariat

Designing Assignments

review elements of research paper including outlining, footnotes, bibliographic format
provide citation standards and example
discuss importance of academic integrity and citing sources
make sure students know how to find legitimate material using databases and academic journals
arrange for a librarian to conduct a class session on library resources
make sure there is appropriate material available for topics
provide class time for research in library and assign specific task to be completed
explain what skills the students gain by doing the assignment

use a new set of topics for each new class
use very, very current topics
place useful items on reserve
keep a writing portfolio of each student's past written assignments for comparison
at beginning of term have students write one page in class to get evidence of writing level for future
plan to have several short papers during semester
do not allow students to change topics at the last minute

use unambiguous wording
assign narrowly focused topics
be specific about your expectations — length, type of sources, currency, style, scope

periodically check specific parts of the paper or have specific parts due throughout term — title or statement of focus, thesis statement, preliminary summary, outline, note cards, first draft, draft of bibliography
structure assignment as a series of steps — abstract, bibliography, draft
require bibliography a week before paper is due to check for anomalies

have students defend their ideas via question period
have students present their papers orally in class
ask for examples of the students' own personal experiences relating to the topic
ask students to include a response to ideas developed in class discussions
have each student obtain written feedback from at least two other students
have students summarize or abstract main points of paper after it is handed in
have students write about the research process
have students write one or more drafts in class

ask for copies of cited or footnoted articles
require a certain type of source material (journal) as well as require recent publication date
have students create a 'person-noting' page acknowledging all persons who provided any type of assistance on their project
require one or more specific sources that must be integrated
require an annotated bibliography with one or two sentences describing the item
require an integrity statement attached to the term paper
use downloadable papers to demonstrate examples of poor writing