Understanding the Assignment
  • Take time to truly understand the assignment.
  • Ask your teacher about anything that is unclear to you.
  • Look at the due date and budget time for each phase of the research process.
  • When possible, do not choose a subject until exploring possible options.

Strategies for Making Sense of Your Assignment

Assignment directions vary in length and specificity depending on your teacher and the particular learning goal of the project.
Below are sample strategies you may use for (1) Print/Paper Instructions and (2) Digital Instructions.

Digital Instructions

  • Read the instructions all of the way through.
  • Copy instructions into a blank Google Doc.
    If already a doc, simply make a copy of the instructions doc.
  • Highlight, bold, and change text color for key information.
  • Optionally re-organize and format instructions in a way that makes sense to you, using bullets and removing unnecessary words, etc. You should not be changing meaning of instructions - remember you are still responsible for meeting the same requirements.
  • Use the comments feature to mark content you need to clarify.

Print/Paper Instructions

  • Read the instructions all of the way through.
  • Highlight, circle, underline, draw arrows, etc. for key information.
  • Make notes in the margins, as necessary.
  • Use sticky notes to mark content you need to clarify.

Below are questions for you to keep in mind as you read and make sense of the instructions.

What is required? 

​If you do not know the answer to any of these questions, ask your teacher for clarification.
Questions to ask:
  • Is this an independent project or will I be working with other people?
  • What topics are appropriate or suggested? When will I need to finalize my topic?
  • What types of information sources am I allowed or recommended to use?
  • Is there a requirement for the number of information sources I must use and cite?
  • What is the final product? What options will I have for presenting my findings?
  • What are the parameters for the final product (e.g., page length, presentation time)?
  • When is the final product due? What is the policy regarding late work?
  • Are there required check-in points? If yes, when are they? 
  • What will I need to hand in and how (e.g., Google Classroom, Turnitin, Google Form)?
  • What help is available along the way (e.g., peer review, tutoring, library)?
  • What documentation style should be used (e.g., MLA format, Google Research Tool)?

Hints Regarding Traditional Paper Length Requirements

Most assignment directions will provide a suggested page range for your final paper. Make sure you understand how much text makes up a page (e.g., how many lines, what size margins, what size fonts).
  • When in doubt, use 12 pt standard fonts (e.g., New Times Roman, Calibri, or Arial) and figure about 23-25 lines per page.
  • When asked to do a line count, don’t let the computer count for you since it will include headings, reference pages, etc.
  • If asked for a word count, highlight main text so that you do not include the title and works cited pages.

What is your timeline?
As soon as you know the due date, create a schedule with mini-deadlines for checkpoints to keep you on track. Example: For a paper you have 3 weeks to complete, you might use:
  • For all projects, a good goal is to have a basic draft that meets minimum standards and could be turned in at least 2-3 days before the true deadline; that way if there is a real emergency, you have something to hand in.
  • Though some students will brag that they do it, it is almost impossible to shove several weeks of work into a few days.  You cannot fake your way through the research process nor can you pull an “all nighter” and come up with quality results.  This also leaves you no time to ask for help.