Investigating Step 2:
Analyzing the assignment

Once you have picked a topic, there is a temptation to start researching immediately. Resist. Don't waste your time diving into research until you know what the assignment requires.



Is it a report?
Is it an analytical paper?
Is it an argumentative essay?



You need to know before you begin! The type of assignment will determine what kind of research you need to do, and how you need to organize and present that research in your paper. Even an "A" quality report can earn an "F" if the assignment is to write an argumentative essay.