Understand the assignment

Understanding a Writing Prompt

Use this page when your instructor gives you a writing assignment and you want to be sure what it asks you to do.

About 10 minutes. Includes practice with answers.

What a prompt tells you

A writing prompt is the set of instructions for a writing assignment. Your grade depends on doing what the prompt asks, so read it slowly, at least two times, before you start to write.

Good writers at every level sometimes answer a different question than the one the prompt asked. A careful reading prevents that. As you read, look for the answers to five questions.

What do I do? Find the task verb, such as explain, compare, or argue.
What do I write about? Find the topic and any limits on the topic.
Who is my reader? Some prompts name a reader. If the prompt does not, write for a reader who has not taken your class.
What are the requirements? Find the length, the number of sources, and the format.
How do I finish? Find the due date, the place to submit your work, and how it will be graded.

If the prompt does not answer one of these questions, ask your instructor. That is a normal and useful question.

Key terms

Writing prompt:: the instructions for a writing assignment.
Task verb:: the verb that names the kind of thinking and writing you must do.
Rubric:: a chart that shows how your work will be graded.

Example: reading a prompt closely

Here is a prompt from a first-year writing course. Six phrases are highlighted. Each number matches a note below the prompt.

A writing prompt with notes

Essay 2: A Change Worth Making

Think of one problem at your workplace, in your neighborhood, or at this college.1 Write an essay that argues for one specific change2 that would improve the situation. Your readers are the people who could make that change,3 so explain the problem clearly and give reasons they would accept.

Support your argument with evidence from at least two credible sources.4 Your essay should be 750–1,000 words in MLA format.5 Submit your essay in Blackboard by the due date listed there. See the rubric6 for how this essay will be graded.

The topic, with a choice. You choose the problem. The word or tells you to choose one of the three places, not all three.
The task. The task verb is argues. To argue is to state your position and give reasons for it. Describing the problem is not enough. The words one specific set a limit: write about one change, and say exactly what it is.
The reader. You are writing to people who have the power to make the change. Ask yourself what they already know and what reasons matter to them.
A requirement with a number. At least two means two or more. One source is too few. Credible means that readers can trust the source.
Length and format. Your essay needs between 750 and 1,000 words. MLA is a set of rules for how a paper looks and how it names its sources. The word should is a requirement here. See the language focus below.
How you will be graded. The rubric shows what your instructor will look for. Read it before you write, not after.

Tip

Now answer the five questions for this prompt. If you can answer all five in your own words, you understand the assignment.

Language focus: required, allowed, or not allowed

Language focus

Commands

Prompts often start a sentence with a verb: Write an essay. Support your argument. Submit your essay. These sentences are commands. They have no subject because the subject is always you. In a prompt, a command is not rude. It is a requirement.

Small words that change the meaning

Words such as must, should, and may tell you how much choice you have.

Words that show what is required
Words in the prompt	What they mean	Example
must need to are required to	Required.	You must name every source you use.
should are expected to	Required in most prompts. In conversation, should gives advice. In a prompt, treat it as a rule.	Your essay should be 750–1,000 words.
may can are allowed to	Allowed. You choose.	You may write in first person (I, my).
are encouraged to consider	A good idea, but your choice.	Consider sharing your draft with a tutor.
may not must not do not	Not allowed.	Do not use outside sources.

Watch for this

In a prompt, may not means “not allowed.” It does not mean “maybe not.”

Words that set limits

at least two sources: two or more.
no more than 1,000 words: 1,000 words or fewer.
750–1,000 words: any number from 750 to 1,000.
one specific change: exactly one, described clearly.

Sentence starters: asking about a prompt

Instructors expect questions about prompts. Ask early, and say what you already understand. Fill in each blank with your own words.

To check your understandingI want to check my understanding. The essay should . Is that correct?
To ask about the purposeWhat skill should I practice in this assignment?
To ask what a word meansIn the prompt, what does “” mean?
To ask about a limitDoes the word count include ?
To ask about your topicMay I write about for this assignment?
To ask what is allowedAre we allowed to use for this assignment?

Practice

Read this prompt for a discussion post. Then answer the questions.

Read the assigned article about working from home. In one paragraph of 150–200 words, summarize the author’s main argument. Then, in a second paragraph, explain whether you agree with the author. Use one example from your own experience. You may write in first person (I, my). Do not use outside sources.

What are the two task verbs?
How many paragraphs must you write?
Is it acceptable to write “I agree because my job changed last year”?
You find a helpful website about working from home. Can you quote it in your post?
What does the prompt not tell you?

Show suggested answers

Summarize and explain. First you report the author’s main argument in fewer words. Then you give your own position and your reasons.
Two. The prompt says “one paragraph” and then “a second paragraph.”
Yes. “You may write in first person” means it is allowed. The prompt also asks for an example from your own experience.
No. “Do not use outside sources” is a command. The only source you can use is the assigned article.
The length of the second paragraph, the due date, and how the post is graded. These are good questions to ask. You could write: “Does the 150–200 word limit apply to the second paragraph too?”

Next step

Try this with a prompt from one of your classes

Highlight the task verb.
Underline every number and every word that sets a limit.
Circle any word you do not know. Look it up, or ask your instructor.
Write the task in one sentence: “In this assignment, I will about for .”