It can be tempting to simply start writing your assignment response and hope that you've interpreted it correctly. However taking the time, before you start writing your assignment, will not only mean a better answer and better marks, but should also avoid wasting time and re-work.
So how can you understand what is truly being asked of you?
State the Assignment In Your Own Words
Write down in your own words, what you believe the assignment is asking you to do.
Don't use academic terms and or simply re-word the assignment question. Put it into your own words and sentences and think about what is being asked of you. This can be a very time consuming task and don't worry if the first thing that comes to mind is: I don't really know! If that's the case, try pulling the question apart and see if there are some aspects that you do understand. Brainstorming can be a useful method to use at this stage to generate ideas. See Brainstorming for Assignment Work for more on this important skill.
What Do You Know about the Subject Matter?
Ask yourself what you know already about the subject matter?
It's very unlikely that you will already know everything this is about the subject matter of the assignment. Typically, assignments are set to get you thinking and finding out things you don't know, and to formulate opinions of your own (of course, this will depend on the type of assignment). But it's a good starting point to note down what you do know already and it may help you decide on your focus area (if your assignment question allows for this).
Subject Matter Knowledge Gaps
What do you need to find out to be able to complete this assignment?
These are the gaps in your knowledge in regards to the subject matter of the assignment. These may be general areas for you to do further research or it may be areas you want to understand in more detail, or areas that you want to clarify that you have the right understanding.
How is this Assignment Different?
How is this assignment different to other work you are doing on this course/subject?
This can help you understand the purpose of the assignment and what the tutor/lecturer is aiming for you to achieve from it.
Next Steps to Understand Your Assignment
It's likely that you will need to do some research. Decide on the areas that you need to cover in your further reading and produce a reading list.
Understanding what your assignment is about is essential pre-work before you start writing your response. If you rush into your writing, it's likely that you'll misinterpret or misunderstand what is being asked. Taking the time to truly understand the question will help you prepare your work, decide on appropriate research, and make decisions on the right approach for your response.
See also Writing an Essay and Top Tips for Essays and Papers
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