Prepare assignment sheets

 
Assignments sheets provide students with a written description of an assignment which they can take with them out of the classroom to guide them in completing assignments. In assisting students with writing assignments, Writing Center consultants observe two related problems:
  • Students complain that they don't know what an instructor expects.
  • Instructors complain that students don't "follow the assignment" and the work fails to meet expectations.

The solution, for us, is clearly written guidelines and expectations for all assignments. Minimally, assignment sheets for writing assignments should include:

1. the kind of writing expected
2. the scope of acceptable subject matter or research questions
3. length and formatting requirements
4. citation style required
5. target dates for completion of drafts or sections, for critiques, and for final draft submission
6. penalties for failing to meet deadlines

Additionally, guidelines for completing the assignment, including

  • a suggested process to follow
  • sample of a successful assignment
  • grading criteria/scoring rubrics

will turn the assignment sheet into an effective teaching and learning tool.

While students may forget the instructions they received in class, we see them diligently studying assignment sheets, when they have them!