assignment writing advertisement

"More Than OK" poked fun at how Pepsi usually takes a back seat to Coke, especially at restaurants. And by featuring a star-studded cast that included Steve Carell, Lil Jon, and Cardi-B (who hilariously and fervently backed up Pepsi’s OKness) their boldness to call people out for undermining Pepsi’s quality got a lot of laughs and persuaded a massive audience to reconsider their own perception of the soft drink.

7. Match.com

The year 2020 was challenging for countless reasons. Online dating company Match.com channeled the collective feeling towards the year with an ad depicting Satan meeting his perfect match – 2020.

Informative Advertising

Informative advertising is a form of persuasive advertising that focuses more on the facts. The main goal of informative advertising is to educate the audience on why they need your product instead of appealing to their desires.

It highlights how your product’s features and benefits solve your customers’ problems and can even compare your product to your competitors' products. Although this type of advertising relies on facts and figures to trigger the desired action, the ad’s message is usually framed in a compelling way.

To better understand the difference between informative and persuasive advertising, check out these examples.

Informative Advertising Examples

• Miller Lite
• Siskiyou Eye Center
• Burger King

1. Miller Lite

After Bud Light took some jabs at Miller Lite for using corn syrup in their beer during their Super Bowl 53 ads , Miller Lite decided to throw a few punches back. A day later on Twitter, they revealed that their beer actually has fewer calories and carbs than Bud Light, which helped them persuade people that drinking Bud Light and Miller Lite actually have similar health benefits.

2. Siskiyou Eye Center

There’s an old folk tale that carrots can improve your eyesight, but science has actually debunked this myth . That’s why this Siskiyou Eye Center ad is such a creative informative advertisement.

While it pokes fun at this common fable, it’s still relying on the facts of carrots not being able to improve your vision and the Eye Center’s ability to provide quality treatment for your eyes to persuade people to do business with them.

Popular meditation app Calm experienced an increase in downloads by sponsoring CNN's coverage of the 2020 US Presidential Campaign. Through clever product placement in front of an audience that was experiencing stress, the app was positioned as helpful a resource ready to educate on mindfulness during a turbulent time.

In addition to creating popular body and skincare products, Dove has set out to educate its audience on the importance of body confidence, and the harmful impact fabricated social media imagery can have on the self-esteem of young people.

In the reverse selfie campaign, Dove depicts how social media users may be inclined to change their appearance for public approval. Other materials provided by Dove also share facts and statistics related to social media usage and body image.

Last year, Google released a Black History Month ad called "The Most Searched" that was equally informative and inspiring. Showing clips of famous Black figures, each clip read "most searched" to indicate each person shown and event shown was a history-maker.

Persuasive advertising vs. informative advertising: which one is better?

Persuasive advertising and informative advertising definitely focus on different aspects of persuasion, but they still aim to achieve the same goal: convincing your audience to take the desired action. So whether you pursue one advertising strategy or another, remember that if you can trigger an emotional response, regardless of the stimuli, your ad will be a success.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

The Worst Super Bowl Ads — Avoid These Blunders

Google's Head of Technology Platforms On How First-Party Data & AI Will Transform The Ad Industry — For The Better

Online Advertising: All You Need to Know in 2023

The 18 Most Creative Ad Campaigns in History

How to Make an Ad: A 15-Step Guide [+Expert Tips]

32 Free Advertising Tips for Your Small, Large, or Local Business

How Consumers Responded to Black Friday in 2022 [+ Holiday Marketing Tips]

What is Comparative Advertising? [+ Examples]

How to Prepare an Advertising Plan [Free Template]

How to Prevent Click Fraud

Plan and launch an effective advertising campaign with this guide and set of templates.

Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform

10 Tips For Writing Marketing Assignments

• Post author: Cyrus Nambakhsh
• Post published: September 1, 2023
• Post category: Content Marketing

Page Contents

Everyone, from celebrities to businesspeople, relies on marketing to get exposure, add value, and increase their worth. Hence, the demand for professionals and marketing assignments is increasing rapidly. 

However, the path to becoming a marketing major and expanding your reach through organic marketing is not easy. One has to take exams, write assignments, and participate in several group activities before getting that degree. Sounds like too much work? 

In this article, we’ll introduce you to top marketing assignment tips that will allow you to maximize the effectiveness of your efforts.

Once and for all, let’s try to end the dilemma of marketing assignments. According to reports, 46% of youngsters in a survey said they would pursue a career in marketing!

Aside from hiring experts who will write your assignment for you or having group studies and sharing the burden, here are 10 other ways you can master marketing tasks quickly and write marketing assignments perfectly:

#1 Know the Assignment First

One major mistake marketing students make is not spending time dissecting the task. Often, the tasks are not just assignments but case studies, PowerPoint presentation defense , projects, dissertations, and more. This means each task demands a different kind of writing and presentation.

Hence, know the assignment type and what the topic means. Break down the topic and think of ways to cover it. What other slants can you insert to elevate the resonating factor of the topic? 

It is better to spend time on understanding the needs of the topic rather than rushing in by completely misunderstanding it.

#2 Pick an Example

First-year marketing students often fail to realize that their work will be more impactful if they add an example to strengthen the topic. Pick a brand or organization for your paper and use it as an example. This will allow you to find practical answers and develop logical results.

Also, papers with information on renowned brands and big names attract more audiences, making the paper more impactful. However, don’t think of public attention only when picking big organizations; think of your capabilities to justify them to make the paper notable.

#3 Put a Self-Deadline

Of course, your professor will allot a deadline, but setting your own will only push you to finish on time. However, do not confuse this step with rash writing. Have an organized routine and set a deadline to complete it on time before the actual date.

Students who do this don’t have to worry about late submissions. This also gives the writer extra time to revise, which is often overlooked.

#4 Research Fiercely

This tip is quite common to any other assignment type out there. Yet this is the step that makes a major difference. Research as much as you can. There will be many competitors in your class. 

Some may even pick the same topic as yours. The only way to stand out in such competition is through research. Students who are lazy with their research end up with shallow or superficial information. Such students rarely make it above the average mark.

Hence, to stand out, you must do in-depth research and find information from the deepest pits of the internet. Scout through many online and offline books, journals, and more to get the most real and deepest data on the topic. The professor will see through your efforts and hard work, and you can be awarded with grace marks for it.

#5 Real Events Make an Impression

Whether it’s marketing assignments or history assignments, real events never fail to make an impression. Your work will be read by others who always resonate with real-life examples. 

This is again where your capacity to research shows. Those who research without excuses can find excruciating facts that make the topic shine.

Find accurate figures and data that validate your work. Some like introducing these statistics and events at the beginning and slowly unfolding them later in the paper to keep the audience hooked.

Try to find some related data to your work which will bring thousands of readers to explore the topic. Some students also take the extra step of conducting surveys, interviews, and even doing online polls to find information on the topic and add it to their assignments.

#6 Choose the Correct Writing Style

Various writing styles depend on the topic and purpose. Students can pick a business writing style or a personal writing style. Pick one that your audience finds dependable. Aim for a blend of sophisticated and simple terms rather than making it entirely simple or sophisticated.

Using complicated words for the context is okay. But avoid using overly challenging words, which an ordinary audience may find difficult to work with. 

Do not forget to pick the one you are most comfortable with. Some writers can rock simple writing styles and still get good grades. Maintain writing flair and add authenticity to speak to your readers.

#7 Cite Correctly

With any assignment, finding online information is quite obvious. This is why you need to cite your sources. Citing means giving credit to the original writers whose information you have used in your paper. This gives credit to the original writer and helps the writer avoid plagiarism issues.

With marketing assignments, too, students need to cite the sources. There are plenty of citation styles, and one can pick the style which they prefer. Be cautious of different citing styles to avoid any mistakes and do it justice. 

Learning how to cite can take some extra time, so you can hand over this part to someone who can do it for you, leaving no errors behind.

#8 Get a Second Consultation

Both beginners and professionals need a helping hand sometimes. Students who are uncertain about their work can contact professionals or their professors. They can review the work and make suggestions to improve the quality of the paper.

Experts can suggest better examples and better brands to use and even offer effective writing tips. If you are uncomfortable with an expert, consult your friends, siblings, and family members to be more comfortable with them. Together, you can make a remarkable paper that meets everyone’s expectations.

#9 Use Online Tools

Although many find this tip controversial, we strongly agree with it. There are plenty of tools online, and the best thing is that they can be used. 

Students can find tools to improve their writing and grammar, find plagiarism issues, and even check the quality of their papers.

The best thing about these tools is that they are free, and several are available online, making them a favorable option for students. These tools also highlight problem areas, making it easier for students to correct them. 

Overall, find a trustworthy tool because numerous tools out there may not give you the desired result.

#10 Proofread Using Innovative Ways

Finally, the last step is to proofread your paper. Again, this is a very basic step that many people overlook. Proofread your paper before making the final submission. Do not jump into this process just after writing. 

Wait a few days to make the process fruitful. You can also use innovative proofreading techniques to make the process fun.

Some ways of proofreading are:

●       Reading it backward,

●       Reading one section at a time,

●       Having a list of mistakes,

●       Reading it out aloud.

It keeps the proofreading process simple and interesting, eliminating the chances of any errors.

Marketing assignments involve various aspects. Combining them and doing justice is not an easy job. Hopefully, the tips above will show you how to write impeccable marketing assignments and get your deserved score.

share this post with your friends Share this content

• Opens in a new window Twitter
• Opens in a new window Facebook
• Opens in a new window LinkedIn
• Opens in a new window Reddit
• Opens in a new window WhatsApp

Cyrus Nambakhsh

You might also like.

Unleashing the Power of AInfluencer: Redefining the Future of Marketing in 2023!

The Impact Of Instagram Reels On Influencer Marketing In 2024

7 Best Content Marketing Tools in 2024

How to Grow Your YouTube Channel With Email Marketing in 2023

Top 5 Viral Video Tips To Captivate Your Audience

10 Best SEO Content Writing Services in 2024

Educational Content Creation for Instagram in 2024

6 Easy Ways to Make Business Growth Faster

Measuring Link-Building Success: Key Metrics and Analytics Tools

By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

14 Analyzing Visual Elements in Advertising

Whether you are reading a magazine, watching a television show, or even sitting in a movie theater, you are likely to be bombarded by advertising. The ability to dissect an advertisement to discover any hidden agendas is an important one. Carefully looking at an advertisement’s audience and strategies often reveals hidden messages about what the advertiser thinks about that audience. Not only is this interesting, but it also helps you to find the same elements in written arguments.

Visual Arguments

Visual arguments provide a wonderful foundation for discovering the elements of rhetoric, as we are often more familiar with images than with texts. Our world is filled with visual arguments—from advertisements on TV and on billboards alongside the highway to T-shirts & ball caps.

Whatever form they take, images are used to communicate with an audience. Whether a human aid organization displays pictures of starving orphans to communicate the dire need for funds or a real estate agent snaps a photo of a home to capture potential buyers’ attention or you choose which photo to put on your Instagram profile, images are used to make a variety of points.

In many ways, images shape our behavior and can even change our lives. You might purchase a product based on an advertisement—or you might enlist in the army based on an advertisement. The images used in political campaigns can literally change the way a country functions by influencing how people vote in an election.

Analyzing Visual Elements

The presentation of visual elements is extremely important, affecting how the argument is perceived. Just as how you choose to dress for a job interview might impact whether or not you get the job, so choosing how ideas are represented visually will impact how well the audience receives the argument.

When analyzing visual arguments, such as advertisements, keep the rhetorical situation in mind. The following are important elements to focus on:

Type your key takeaways here.

• Author: Who created the text?
• Audience: Who is the intended audience?
• Purpose: What is the purpose of this image? What does the author want the audience to do?
• Design: How are elements place on the page? Is anything repeated? Is any information highlighted? How are light and color used?
• Strategies: Does the image use humor, guilt, youth, celebrities, etc, to make a point? Are there any cultural references?
• Medium: Does the image also contain text? How does text work together with the image to create meaning?
• Text/Subtext: What do the words say? What are the implications of the words?
• Context: How does the image relate to its larger location? ie If an image is in a magazine, how does it relate to the other content in the magazine?

Remember, in advertising, every detail is chosen very carefully. Advertisers typically sell products by way of ideas. In other words, an ad for Coca Cola sells fun, not a sugar-laden beverage. Looking for the idea that the advertiser is connecting to the product can be a very effective and interesting way to frame an ad analysis paper.

Assignment: Choosing a Topic and Guided Brainstorming

Find an advertisement in a print magazine that catches your attention. If you don’t subscribe to any magazines, you can find a nice selection in your local library or at the grocery store. Moving forward, you will need to have the magazine name and publication date and a copy of the ad on hand, so, if you don’t own the magazine, make sure to take a photo of the cover of the magazine and the ad itself. It’s not a bad idea to take a picture of the table of contents, as well.

If you can’t get to a store or a library in person, you can also locate an advertisement through your local library. It’s important to use the library (not just a google search) because you need to know where the ad was originally located in order to complete an accurate analysis of the ad. Here is a video showing you how to access the YC Library’s digital magazine collection:

Thoroughly discuss the following points for your advertisement. Be specific and give reasons for your answers. The goal is to discover the main strategies the advertiser is using to target the specific audience for the ad. What is the advertiser trying to convince the consumer can be accomplished by purchasing the product advertised? Remember, your end goal is to write an essay that shows readers how an advertiser markets a product to a specific target audience.

• What product or service is being advertised?
• What are the most important elements that you see in this advertisement?
• Who is the audience (think about who reads the magazine!)?
• What is the advertiser using to appeal to the consumer? (humor, guilt, emotion, sex, youth, expertise, celebrities, etc.)
• Critique this ad as visual artwork. Consider the color, lines, composition, media, contrast, mood, and style.
• How does the visual artwork assist the words or language to promote the product?
• Does the advertiser use any double meanings or cultural references?
• What idea is being used to sell the product? (i.e. Coke ads sell fun)

You may fill in the following form and download your answers:

Here’s an example of what your answers might look like:

For a more extended discussion of advertising, please watch this documentary from PBS:

Attributions:

Content created by Dr. Karen Palmer. Last edited 5/28/2020. Licensed under CC BY NC .

The Worry Free Writer Copyright © 2020 by Dr. Karen Palmer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Advertisement Analysis: Techniques, Importance, Examples & Tools

• March 7, 2023
• Essay Topics and Ideas , Sample Study Papers , Study Guides , Writing Guides

Understanding Advertisement Analysis

Advertisement analysis is critically examining and evaluating advertisements better to understand their content, meaning, and impact. This process involves analyzing an advertisement’s text, visuals, and overall design and considering the target audience and the context in which the ad appears. By conducting an advertisement analysis , businesses can gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and make informed decisions about how to improve them.

Here's What You'll Learn

Techniques for Advertisement Analysis

Several techniques can be used to conduct a practical advertisement analysis:

1. Text Analysis

Text analysis involves examining the language and messaging used in an advertisement to understand its intended meaning and impact on the audience . This includes analyzing the ad’s headline, tagline, copy, and other written content.

a. Headline Analysis

The headline is often the first thing a viewer sees in an advertisement, and it plays a crucial role in capturing their attention and interest. Analyzing the headline can reveal necessary information about the ad’s purpose and target audience.

b. Language Analysis

The language used in an advertisement can convey various messages and emotions and can be analyzed to determine how the ad is trying to influence the audience. This includes examining the ad’s written content’s tone, style, and vocabulary.

c. Persuasive Techniques Analysis

Many advertisements use persuasive techniques to influence the audience’s beliefs or behaviors. These techniques include appeals to emotion, authority, and social proof, and they can be analyzed to understand how the ad is trying to persuade the viewer.

2. Visual Analysis

The visual analysis involves examining an advertisement’s design, layout, and overall visual elements to understand how they contribute to its message and impact on the audience.

a. Layout Analysis

The layout of an advertisement can be analyzed to understand how it guides the viewer’s attention and emphasizes some aspects of the ad. This includes examining the placement and size of visual elements and text.

b. Design Analysis

The design elements of an advertisement, such as color, font, and imagery, can be analyzed to understand how they contribute to the ad’s overall message and impact on the viewer.

c. Color Analysis

The colors used in an advertisement can convey various emotions and messages, and they can be analyzed to understand how the ad is trying to influence the viewer.

Importance of Advertisement Analysis

Advertisement analysis is an essential process for businesses for several reasons:

1. Understanding Consumer Behavior

By analyzing advertisements, businesses can gain a deeper understanding of consumer behavior, including motivations, needs, and decision-making processes . This information can be used to develop more effective marketing campaigns and better meet the needs of their target audience.

a. Analyzing Motivations

Analyzing consumer behavior motivations can help businesses better understand what drives their target audience to purchase.

b. Identifying Consumer Needs

By understanding the needs of their target audience, businesses can develop more effective advertising campaigns that address those needs and solve their problems.

c. Understanding the Decision-Making Process

Understanding their target audience’s decision-making process can help businesses create more persuasive advertising campaigns that appeal to their interests and preferences.

2. Competitive Advantage

By analyzing advertisements, businesses can gain valuable insights into their competitors’ marketing strategies and identify gaps in the market that they can exploit. This information can be used to develop unique selling propositions that differentiate their products or services from their competitors.

Examples of Advertisement Analysis

1. coca-cola’s “share a coke” campaign.

Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign was hugely successful in multiple countries worldwide. The campaign’s main concept was to personalize Coke bottles with popular names, encouraging customers to share their Coke bottles with friends and family. Here’s an analysis of the campaign:

 a. Text Analysis

The campaign’s “Share a Coke” tagline is short, memorable, and easy to understand. The use of personalized names on the Coke bottles made the campaign feel more personal, and the tagline encouraged people to share their Coke bottles, thus creating a sense of community.

b. Visual Analysis

The visual elements of the campaign were simple yet effective. The personalized Coke bottles with different names were eye-catching, and the images of people sharing their bottles were relatable and emotional.

c. Audience Analysis

The campaign’s target audience was young people aged 18-34 who were active on social media platforms . The campaign encouraged customers to share their personalized Coke bottles on social media using a specific hashtag, which helped to spread the campaign’s message.

 2. Nike’s “Just Do It” Campaign

Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign is one of the most iconic and successful ad campaigns ever. The campaign’s tagline has become synonymous with Nike and its brand message. Here’s an analysis of the campaign:

The campaign’s “Just Do It” tagline is short, memorable, and inspiring. It’s a powerful call to action, encouraging people to push themselves to achieve their goals .

The campaign’s visual elements were also powerful. Using black and white images with the Nike logo and tagline in bold letters was simple yet effective.

c. Brand Analysis

The “Just Do It” campaign helped position Nike as a brand about pushing boundaries and challenging oneself. The campaign’s message resonated with customers who wanted to feel empowered and motivated.

 Best Advertisement Analysis Tools

 1. google adwords.

Google AdWords is a powerful tool businesses can use to create and manage online advertising campaigns . Here are some of the features that make Google AdWords a great tool for advertisement analysis:

a. Keyword Planner

Keyword Planner helps businesses to find the right keywords for their advertising campaigns. It provides keyword search volume, competition, and cost-per-click data.

b. Display Planner

Display Planner helps businesses to create effective display ads by providing data on audience demographics, interests, and behaviors.

c. Ad Preview and Diagnosis

Ad Preview and Diagnosis help businesses preview their ads and diagnose any issues that might prevent them from appearing on Google search results.

SEMrush is an all-in-one marketing tool that provides businesses with valuable insights into their competitors’ advertising strategies . Here are some of the features that make SEMrush a great tool for advertisement analysis:

a. Advertising Research

Advertising Research provides data on competitors’ advertising strategies, including their ad copy, targeting, and display networks.

 b. Ad Builder

Ad Builder helps businesses to create effective display ads by providing templates, design tools, and targeting options.

AdSense helps businesses to monetize their websites by displaying targeted ads. It provides data on ad performance, revenue, and ad networks.

How to Conduct Effective Advertisement Analysis

Effective advertisement analysis involves several key steps:

1. Establishing the Purpose

To conduct an effective advertisement analysis, it is important first to establish the purpose . This involves identifying the ad’s objective, determining the target audience, and identifying the ad’s call to action.

a. Identifying the Ad’s Objective

This involves understanding what the ad is trying to achieve, such as increasing sales or building brand awareness .

b. Determining the Target Audience

It is essential to identify the intended audience for the ad to tailor the analysis accordingly.

c. Identifying the Ad’s Call to Action

The analysis should consider the ad’s call to action and evaluate its effectiveness in prompting the desired response from the audience.

 2. Gathering Information

The second step involves gathering information about the ad, including analyzing its text and visuals, researching its background, and understanding its context.

a. Analyzing the Ad’s Text and Visuals

This involves examining the ad’s language, images, and other visual elements to determine how effectively they convey the intended message.

b. Researching the Ad’s Background

Researching the ad’s background can provide insights into the target audience , the brand’s messaging, and placement.

c. Understanding the Ad’s Context

Understanding the ad’s context involves considering the cultural, social, and political factors that may impact the ad’s effectiveness.

3. Evaluation and Conclusion

The final step is to evaluate the ad’s effectiveness, provide recommendations, and summarize the analysis.

a. Assessing the Ad’s Effectiveness

This involves measuring the ad’s success in achieving its objectives and determining its impact on the target audience.

b. Providing Recommendations

Based on the analysis, recommendations can be made to improve the ad’s effectiveness or to inform future ad campaigns .

c. Summarizing the Analysis

The analysis should clearly and concisely summarize key insights and findings.

How do you analyze an advertisement?

To analyze an advertisement, you need to identify the ad’s objective , determine the target audience, analyze the ad’s text and visuals, research the ad’s background and context, and evaluate the ad’s effectiveness.

What are the five parts of an advertisement?

The five parts of an advertisement are the headline, subheadline, body copy, visual, and call to action.

What are the four elements of a successful advertisement?

The four elements of a successful advertisement are attention, interest, desire, and action. A successful ad captures the audience’s attention, generates interest, creates a desire for the product or service, and includes a clear call to action.

How do you write a good analysis?

To write a good analysis, you should understand the purpose of the analysis and the audience for which it is intended. You should then gather relevant information, organize your thoughts, and provide clear, concise, and logical explanations. Your analysis should be supported by evidence and examples and include improvement recommendations.

What are the eight advertising techniques?

The eight advertising techniques are emotional appeals, testimonials, endorsements, bandwagon, fear appeals, humor, sex appeals, and plain folks. These techniques persuade the audience to buy a product or service by appealing to their emotions, desires, fears, or values.

Does this Look Like Your Assignment? We Can do an Original Paper for you!

Have no time to write let a subject expert write your paper for you​, get writing assistance, worried about your paper we can help, have a subject expert write for you, find essays, papers….

Essay Topics and Ideas (97) Sample Study Papers (1360) Study Guides (246) Writing Guides (10)

Academic Success and Professional Development Plan (4) argumentative essay topics (2) Arizona State University (10) Capella University (51) Chamberlain University (40) DNP Assignments (67) Essay Topics (13) Grand Canyon University (77) Herzing University (38) Ideas (14) Management Assignments (7) Management Assignments Help (6) Management Guides (6) MSN Assignments (57) nursing care plans (20) Nursing Care Plans Examples (20) Solved essays (237) Student's Essays (11) thestudycorp.com (32) Topics (14) Topics, Ideas (37) Walden University (76)

• Company Overview
• Our Guarantees
• Client Reviews
• Discount Codes
• Privacy Policy
• Contact Us 
• Terms and Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Fair Use Policy
• Revisions and Refund Policy

Knowledge Base

• All Writing Guides 
• Nursing Essay Writing Guides 
• Topics Ideas
• Nursing Guides
• Business Analysis Guides
• Literature Guides 
• Write My Essay 
• Do My Essay
• Pay For Essay
• Buy Research Paper 
• Buy Essays 
• Get Nursing Papers
• Online Nursing Papers

Writing Tools

• Citation Generator
• Topic Generator
• Thesis Generator
• Sentence Rewriter
• Title Page Generator
• Research Paper Title Generator

Use our resources and guides to write perfect papers. You can use our writing service and order customized sample papers without plagiarism!

Thestudycorp.com helps students cope with college assignments and write papers on various topics. We deal with academic writing, creative writing, and non-word assignments.

All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. All the work should be used per the appropriate policies and applicable laws.

Our samples and other types of content are meant for research and reference purposes only. We are strongly against plagiarism and academic dishonesty.

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

Advertisement Writing

• Updated on  
• Dec 2, 2023

Ever wondered why the CBSE board won the battle against other boards of India ? CBSE syllabus is not focused on mugging up the topic, it is focused on the overall growth of students. Activities like Story writing , Notice writing , Article Writing , ASL and advertisement writing, amongst others help students strengthen their written and spoken communication skills as well as creativity. Here is a blog that will shed light on advertisement writing, types, formats and written advertisement examples.

This Blog Includes:

What is an advertisement, things to remember in advertisement writing, types of advertisement, classified advertisement, classified advertisement writing format and sample, commercial advertisement, commercial advertisement writing format and sample, advertisement format for jobs.

An advertisement is a promotional announcement calling the attention of the public and the masses regarding various products, services or offers through an attractive visual. They are generally paid public announcements. Advertisements generally have a format & word limit of 50 words. Advertisements can be done on various media channels such as print media, broadcast media, newspapers, magazines, outdoor and digital media as well.

Also Read: Daily Used English Words

• Keep it Short and Simple : The sentences must be kept short & simple to grab maximum attention for the subject. Long sentences are a big NO for advertisements.
• Catchy Headlines : The headlines should be attention-grabbing for maximum benefits
• Informative : The contents should be well informative and useful for the public to ensure promising benefits.
• Identify and Channelize : Always identify the target audience and form the contents to deliver a message efficiently.
• Language: Use clutter-free language. No abstract concepts, no jargon!

Also Read: Accountancy Class 12 Notes

Advertisement Writing can broadly be categorized into two categories. Here are both categories with their advertisement writing format and samples:

These kind of advertisement are found in the classified columns of newspapers or magazines. They are used by the general masses to convey the message in the shortest & simplest manner. Here are the features and categories of classified advertising writing:

Features of Classified Advertisement Writing

• Classified advertisement writing has a word limit of 50
• Advertisement writing such as To-let lost and found, sale and purchase, accommodation, tours, and travels are included in classified advertisements.
• Contact addresses or phone numbers are provided.
• Put the matter inside a box

Also Read: English Speech Topics for Students

Categories of Classified Advertisement

• Situation Vacant : Name & no. Of post vacant, Provide employer name and address, Qualification desired salary & other perks, etc.
• To-let : accommodation type, no. of rooms available, location, rent amount, contact details, etc.
• Sale of property or object : Specifications of the subject, Price, contact details
• Lost & found : Description of the subject, rewards, contact details, etc
• Tuition : Subject offered, Class, Board, Fees, previous results (if any), location & contact, etc.

    House on Rent

Available on rent-basis a newly built house in XYZ colony, ABC area.  2-BHK with an attached bath and a balcony. Car parking facility available. Rent expected to be around 5000-7000 p.m. Family preferred. Contact mobile number XXXXXX1234

Here are important things to remember about the written advertisement examples and format of To-let classified advertisement writing:

• Mention whether the house is newly built or an existing one
• The number of rooms, floors, and other descriptions
• State whether independent or available on a rent basis
• Type of tenant like employee, bachelor or family, etc
• Location of the house
• Contact details

Also Read: Class 12 English Sample Papers

When an organization is selling through product or services or simply promoting their brand, it is known as commercial advertisement writing. They basically display advertisements with large space occupancy and hence are more attractive. Here are the features and categories of commercial advertising writing:

Features of Commercial Advertisement Writing

• Attractive with slogans or Catchy phrases and sketches or photos are included
• Detail-oriented in a clear & precise manner.
• Special offer, discount, and address for communication are provided.

Also Read: Digital Advertising Courses

Categories of Commercial Advertisement

• Outdoor Advertising: large hoardings or billboards including a visual representation of the product or services in an attention-grabbing manner
• Print Media- Inside the box advertisement in the newspapers, magazines, leaflets, handouts, etc using bold headlines & colorful visuals
• Digital Advertising: Basically used in the Browser platforms or through Social media
• Public Service advertisement- Issued in the form of videos or photographs in TV or public places for creating awareness.
• Commercial advertising: used for promotion of products
• Social advertisement: used for creating awareness among viewers.

Here is a written advertisement example:

Beat the Heat!

Enjoy the cool surroundings of 

KULLU / MANALI

Get up to 50% discount on

HOLIDAY PACKAGES

Packages starting from ₹4,999 per person

(Includes stay, sightseeing, food, free pick up and drop)

Indulge in Adventurous Activities

Fishing , Trekking, River Rafting, Paragliding

Contact Us!

AASTHA TRAVELS

112/C Sarojni Nagar, New Delhi-01, India

Here are important things to remember about the advertising format of commercial advertisement writing:

• Use a catchy headline.
• Bold out the offers.
• Use Alliteration or metaphors.
• Proportional fonts.
• Give name, contact and other details.
• Put the advertisement in a box.

Here are some more written advertisement examples for jobs:

Must Read: How to be a copywriter?

This was all about the advertisement writing. We hope you liked this blog & will help you in preparing your speech for your class 12 board exam of English. For the latest updates around study blogs, you can follow us on Instagram , Twitter , Facebook & also subscribe to our newsletter. Leverage Edu wishes you all the best for all your future endeavors.

Team Leverage Edu

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

September 2024

January 2025

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Finance and Business
• Advertising
• Creating Advertisements

How to Create an Advertisement

Last Updated: February 26, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by James McKenna . James McKenna is a Copywriter and Producer in Cincinnati, Ohio. James produces freelance content, including print ads, television commercials, and websites. He has over 15 years of experience in general advertising and marketing for clients such as US Bank, Cintas, and Procter & Gamble. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 1,360,013 times.

Crafting an advertisement that entices potential consumers might seem difficult, but it's simpler than you think. The simpler the better, in fact. An ad sums up everything that is smart, innovative, and distinguished about your brand, and is almost indispensable in today's economic marketplace. Note

that in today's digital environment, ads are evolving rapidly. There are many companies using little if any traditional advertising and instead relying on social media. Although the platforms may change over time, the basic tenants of advertising will continue to apply. To plan, write, design, and test an ad, follow these steps.

Understanding Your Audience

• If you are creating an advertisement for a baby stroller, the audience is more likely going to be new moms than people who don't even have a baby.
• If you are creating an advertisement for a graphics card, your audience probably knows enough about computers to realize that they can upgrade their old graphics card.

• What approximate age or gender are they?
• Do they live in a major city or a more rural setting?
• What is their income range? Are they wealthy CEOs or college students on a budget?
• What other products do they use or enjoy? Do they use other products made by your company?

• When will they use it? Will they use it immediately, or when they need it?
• How often will they use your product? Once? Daily? Weekly?
• Will they immediately recognize its benefits/functions or will you have to teach them?

• Ask yourself: do other products exist besides yours that perform similar functions? If so, focus on the differences, especially how your product exceeds the competitor's.

• Do customers recognize/trust your brand already?
• Are you hoping to convert people currently using the competition's product?
• Will you target those without a current solution? If your product the only one like this?

• Strategy is a complex topic, but by focusing on the desires, strengths, and possible future actions of the 3 players on the field (yourself, your customer, and your competition), anyone can build a complex strategy over time.

Writing the Advertisement

• Rhyme – “Do you Yahoo?”
• Humor – “Dirty mouth? Clean it with Orbit chewing gum!”
• A play on words – “Every kiss begins with ‘Kay’”
• Creative imagery – Yellow Pages: “Let your fingers do the walking”
• Metaphor – “Red Bull gives you wings”
• Alliteration – “Intel Inside”
• A personal pledge – Motel 6: “We leave the light on for you”
• Dry understatement – Carlsberg beer has a big sign in downtown Copenhagen that reads, “Probably the best beer in town”.

• What matters most is how the consumer feels, not what they think. If they feel good about your brand, you've done your job.
• Startling the reader into paying attention is especially useful if you have a lot to say. For example, this long, environmentally-oriented announcement wouldn’t turn many heads if it weren’t for the unusual, confrontational tagline; if the reader wants to get the joke, she or he has to read more.
• Know how to walk the line between controversial and entertaining. Pushing the limits of good taste to help your ad grab attention is common practice, but don't go too far — you want your product to be recognized on its own merits, not because it was tied to a tasteless advertisement.

• Repetition : Getting your product to stick by repeating key elements. People often have to hear your name many times before they even know that they heard it (Jingles are one way to do this, but can also be annoying). If you go this route, brainstorm a more creative, less obvious repetition technique such as the one that was used in the Budweiser frog commercials (“bud-weis-er-bud-weis-er-bud-weis-er”). people think they hate repetition, but they remember and that's half the battle.
• Common sense : Challenging the consumer to think of a good reason why not to purchase a product or service.
• Humor : Making the consumer laugh, thereby making yourself more likeable and memorable. This pairs especially well with refreshing honesty. Not the most successful business in your class? Advertise that your lines are shorter.
• Exigency : Convincing the customer that time is of the essence. Limited-time only offers, fire sales, and the like are the commonest ways to do this, but again, avoid meaningless phrases that will slip under your customers’ radar.

• Kids tend to be over-stimulated, so you will need to grab their attention on multiple levels, with color, sound, and imagery.
• Young adults appreciate humor and tend to respond to trendiness and peer influence.
• Adults will be more discerning and respond to quality, sophisticated humor, and value.

• Ask yourself if your product or event is aspirational. Are you selling something that people would buy in order to feel better about their social or economic status? For instance, you might be selling tickets to a benefit gala that is designed to feel elegant and luxurious, even if the ticket price is well below what most wealthy people would be able to pay. If you are selling an inspirational product, try to make your advertisement exude an air of indulgence.
• Determine whether or not your product is for practical means. If you're selling something like a vacuum cleaner, designed to perform common tasks or make life easier for the consumer, spin it in a different direction. Instead of emphasizing luxury, focus on how the product or event will provide relaxation and peace of mind to your consumer.
• Is there an unmet desire or need, any frustration in the mind of your consumer, that will create a market for your particular product? Assess the need gap that exists for the product or service.

• The most important element is what's called a "call to action". What should the consumer do immediately after viewing the ad? Be sure to let them know!

• For instance, if you're promoting a vacuum cleaner, it might sell better in the spring, when people are undertaking spring cleaning.

Designing an Advertisement

• For example, this Burger King ad mocks the size of the Big Mac while speaking the literal truth: that is a Big Mac box, after all, leaving McDonald's no legal ground from which to retaliate.

• Do you already have a logo? If you can, think of fresh and creative ways of re-imagining it.
• Do you have a commonly-used color scheme to work with? If your brand is instantly recognizable by the colors in the ad or the logo, use this to your advantage. McDonald's, Google, and Coca-Cola are good examples.

• If you're making a small-scale print ad (such as a flyer or magazine advertisement), try using a program such as Adobe InDesign or Photoshop. Or, if you're looking for a free option, you can use GIMP or Pixlr.
• If you're making a video ad, try working with iMovie, Picasa, or Windows Media Player.
• For an audio ad, you can work with Audacity or iTunes.
• For a large-scale print ad (such as a banner or billboard), you'll probably have to contact a print shop to get the work done. Ask which software they recommend using.

Testing an Advertisement

• Make your ads noticeable, but don't make them annoying. People tend to dislike giant ads, pop-ups, and anything that tends to play loud music randomly.
• If you make your ad annoying, people are more likely to turn it off. This won't get you many views.

• Keep track of the number of views each page receives. This will make it even easier to see what works and what doesn't. A simple counter would work.
• Even if you really like a certain design, your audience may not like it. If it doesn't get enough views, try a different approach.

• Not a fan of color? Play around with different shapes, sizes, and fonts.

• Did sales spike, drop, or stay the same after your ad?
• Did your ad contribute to the new numbers?
• Ask yourself why the sales changed. Were they due to the ad or forces beyond your control (i.e.: a recession).

Community Q&A

• Check, recheck and check your ad copy again. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Ads cost a lot of money, and a good ad takes your dollar a long way. It might be worth paying a professional copywriter for a great ad. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Less is always more. The less a reader has to read or the less a listener has to hear, the more effective your ad will be. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/1704368?hl=en
• ↑ https://edwardlowe.org/how-to-identify-a-target-market-and-prepare-a-customer-profile/
• ↑ https://www.quicksprout.com/the-complete-guide-to-building-your-personal-brand-chapter-2/
• ↑ https://www.infoentrepreneurs.org/en/guides/understand-your-competitors/
• ↑ https://toggl.com/marketing-mix-4ps/
• ↑ https://www.marketingtutor.net/3-cs-of-marketing-strategy/
• ↑ https://www.crowdspring.com/blog/10-tips-to-create-a-memorable-tagline-for-your-business/
• ↑ https://www.marketing-schools.org/types-of-marketing/persuasion-marketing.html
• ↑ https://thrivehive.com/ways-to-appeal-to-your-target-audience/
• ↑ https://www.targetpublic.com/11-simple-tips-creating-effective-ad/
• ↑ https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/marketing-sales/marketing-promotion/advertising/planning
• ↑ https://blog.marketresearch.com/6-ways-to-differentiate-your-business-from-the-competition
• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/71902
• ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0042-online-tracking
• ↑ https://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/couponing.htm

About This Article

You can create a great advertisement by coming up with a catchy tagline, which will help people remember your ad. Try crafting a humorous line or a phrase that rhymes, so it will be even more memorable. Consider writing something along the lines of “Every kiss begins with Kay” or “Red Bull gives you wings!”. Make sure to avoid overusing phrases like “new and improved” or “free gift”, since many consumers have already heard these phrases in advertisements, and may be tempted to ignore what you have to say. Instead, use simple, relevant information, including your location, phone number, and website so people know how to contact you. Besides writing a good script, you should also make an ad that appeals to your target audience. For example, if you’re making a toy commercial for kids, make sure to use bright, attention grabbing colors and schedule the ad for a Saturday morning when kids will be watching TV. To learn how to design a business logo, read more from our Advertising co-author! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Madhur Tyagi

Nov 15, 2016

Did this article help you?

May 29, 2017

Shreya Singh

Oct 24, 2016

May 9, 2019

Carissa Phillipson

Jun 18, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Solve your most critical talent challenges in a global platform for all talent.

• Attract & Engage Talent
• Maximize Data Quality & Integrations
• Retain & Grow Talent
• Optimize for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Realize Agile & Dynamic Workforce Planning
• Talent Lifecycle Management

Manage every stage of your talent lifecycle in a single platform, powered by AI.

• Talent Acquisition
• Talent Management
• Workforce Planning
• Skills Intelligence

Your success is our success. Our team are here to support every step of your transformation journey.

• Training & Enablement

Why Beamery

Create more human experiences and unlock the skills and potential of your global workforce.

• Enterprise Architecture
• Impact & Sustainability

Manage the full talent lifecycle to achieve your business goals and deliver a great talent experience.

• Upcoming Events
• Whitepapers
• Case Studies
• All Resources

How to Write a Job Ad That Actually Works

When you’re deliberating over how to write a job ad that will appeal to your target candidate persona , take some time to consider what potential applicants actually want to see.

Most companies forget that when a candidate looks at a job ad, it’s often the first time that they’ve interacted with your company. It’s perfectly possible that they’ve never even heard of you before.

Data from the Candidate Experience Awards shows that 48% of all applicants have no prior relationship with the company that they’re applying to — they’re coming in cold.

That’s a lot of people who will be hearing about your company for the first time through your job ad, and you better make a good first impression!

What do candidates want to see in a job ad?

Your job ad needs to be very clear. Do not assume that the applicant knows:

• Anything at all about your company
• Anything at all about your product
• What makes you different (or your EVP )
• Why others work with or for you (i.e. employee motivation)

You have to weave this information throughout your job advertisement to really capture the applicant’s interest.

When applicants were asked “What is the most valuable job-related content to you?” the top answers they gave were:

1. Job description

Since this is often the introduction that a candidate has to your company,it’s hugely valuable to job seekers, so make sure you think carefully about how you word it.

2. Salary range

With compensation being a key part of any candidate’s decision making process, it’s surprising that only 12% of employers share salary information in their job descriptions. It’s something that candidates really care about, so it could be worth including at least a salary range (if you’re not already).

3. Benefits

Job seekers want to know the kinds of benefits a potential employer offers. This could be anything from dental care, paid parental leave, to access to your company table tennis table!

4. Examples of success

Many job seekers want you to describe what a great employee would look like. Only 33% of employers talk about what their ideal employee looks like , so this is another way you can make your job ad more effective.

5. Clarity on career path

Accepting a job offer is a huge milestone in people’s lives. Applicants are looking for an understanding of the different career paths that are available if they accept the role.

The job must be presented as a stepping stone in their career, with the potential for them to move on to other things. Very few employers do this! Map out the potential career paths that an applicant could pursue from this role and people are more likely to show interest.

When you tie all of this together, you have the recipe for a great job ad that will provide the applicant with all of the information that’s most important to job seekers.

Let’s take a closer look at building the perfect job ad, now that we know the key components.

Job Specifications ≠ Job Advertisements

A job specification is for internal company use only. This is created for legal reasons and is not the best way to attract your ideal applicant. A job ad has one objective — to encourage people to apply.

Here are three job ad tips that could be useful:

1. Use images

Using real images of your office and current team gives your job ad a more human element, and it’s more authentic. If you can include a video, that’s also a great way to showcase your company to potential applicants.

2. Structure your ad with headings

These provide structure to your job ad. Even simple techniques like bolding keywords help job seekers focus on the most important content. Remember that most people skim hundreds of job ads when they're searching for a new role, so give your company the best chance to make an impression.

3. Try not to include bullet points (they don’t work)

Instead of using bullet points, try creating a job ad that includes detailed paragraphs to share all of the relevant information that candidates want to know.

So what does the perfect job ad actually look like?

The road to a great job ad lies in following the “SUCCESs” mnemonic — a tried and tested guide to creating clear, compelling copy that delights candidates.

The secret to a great job ad:

U nexpected

s o, the word is spelled properly...

A great job ad features every single one of these qualities. Use this as a checklist when you create your next ad. Let’s dig into the anatomy of a top job ad. You’ll see that we’ve highlighted instances where the “SUCCESs” framework plays a role.

1. Summary of Why and Who

Why are you hiring for this position? How will this position help your company hit its goals? Share this information with candidates to increase engagement with the ad.

2. Describe the employer

Assume they know nothing about your company or client. Describe the company mission, and explain why it’s a great place to work.

3. About the job

Share information about the role. Try to use words like “you”, “your” and “yours” to engage readers.

4. About the ideal candidate

Research suggests a candidate-centric description will engage higher quality talent. Make sure you share information on what the “ideal” candidate looks like, together with the opportunities that the role has in terms of career progression.

5. Requirements

Define what is absolutely required for your role, in simple language, so there’s no confusion from prospective candidates. Then you can add in the things that aren’t necessarily required, but might be beneficial to have.

6. Salary range & benefits

If possible, touch on the salary range and benefits. Not all companies will allow you to do this. If you’re restricted from sharing this information, you could add something along the lines of, “Contact me to discuss!” You’d be surprised how many people will actually take the time to reach out if they’re seriously interested in the role.

7. Application process

Define the application process. Candidates want to know what happens once they apply. Set expectations of when they should expect to hear from you. Giving people an idea of what the process is, reduces their risk and fear, and will increase the likelihood of top talent applying to your role.

8. Call to Action

Close with a great call to action. Remember, not all candidates will have an up-to-date resumé ready to send to you immediately.

Consider passive candidates who may not be actively searching for a new job, as well as active candidates. Provide a way for passives to leave their contact information or sign up to be notified about future opportunities.

If you enjoyed this article, download The Talent Trap . Hear from some of the world’s most innovative companies on how they’re escaping the most common talent traps, and redefining the future of work.

Capabilities

• Talent Analytics
• Talent Marketplace
• Generative AI for HR
• Talent Marketing & Communication
• Talent Mobility & Career Navigation
• Career Sites
• Executive Search
• Alumni Management
• Campus & Events
• Compliance & Data Governance
• Impact & Sustainability

© Beamery Inc 2023. All Rights Reserved

• Privacy Policy

Buy Me a Coffee

Home » Assignment – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Assignment – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Table of Contents

Definition:

Assignment is a task given to students by a teacher or professor, usually as a means of assessing their understanding and application of course material. Assignments can take various forms, including essays, research papers, presentations, problem sets, lab reports, and more.

Assignments are typically designed to be completed outside of class time and may require independent research, critical thinking, and analysis. They are often graded and used as a significant component of a student’s overall course grade. The instructions for an assignment usually specify the goals, requirements, and deadlines for completion, and students are expected to meet these criteria to earn a good grade.

History of Assignment

The use of assignments as a tool for teaching and learning has been a part of education for centuries. Following is a brief history of the Assignment.

• Ancient Times: Assignments such as writing exercises, recitations, and memorization tasks were used to reinforce learning.
• Medieval Period : Universities began to develop the concept of the assignment, with students completing essays, commentaries, and translations to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
• 19th Century : With the growth of schools and universities, assignments became more widespread and were used to assess student progress and achievement.
• 20th Century: The rise of distance education and online learning led to the further development of assignments as an integral part of the educational process.
• Present Day: Assignments continue to be used in a variety of educational settings and are seen as an effective way to promote student learning and assess student achievement. The nature and format of assignments continue to evolve in response to changing educational needs and technological innovations.

Types of Assignment

Here are some of the most common types of assignments:

An essay is a piece of writing that presents an argument, analysis, or interpretation of a topic or question. It usually consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Essay structure:

• Introduction : introduces the topic and thesis statement
• Body paragraphs : each paragraph presents a different argument or idea, with evidence and analysis to support it
• Conclusion : summarizes the key points and reiterates the thesis statement

Research paper

A research paper involves gathering and analyzing information on a particular topic, and presenting the findings in a well-structured, documented paper. It usually involves conducting original research, collecting data, and presenting it in a clear, organized manner.

Research paper structure:

• Title page : includes the title of the paper, author’s name, date, and institution
• Abstract : summarizes the paper’s main points and conclusions
• Introduction : provides background information on the topic and research question
• Literature review: summarizes previous research on the topic
• Methodology : explains how the research was conducted
• Results : presents the findings of the research
• Discussion : interprets the results and draws conclusions
• Conclusion : summarizes the key findings and implications

A case study involves analyzing a real-life situation, problem or issue, and presenting a solution or recommendations based on the analysis. It often involves extensive research, data analysis, and critical thinking.

Case study structure:

• Introduction : introduces the case study and its purpose
• Background : provides context and background information on the case
• Analysis : examines the key issues and problems in the case
• Solution/recommendations: proposes solutions or recommendations based on the analysis
• Conclusion: Summarize the key points and implications

A lab report is a scientific document that summarizes the results of a laboratory experiment or research project. It typically includes an introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.

Lab report structure:

• Title page : includes the title of the experiment, author’s name, date, and institution
• Abstract : summarizes the purpose, methodology, and results of the experiment
• Methods : explains how the experiment was conducted
• Results : presents the findings of the experiment

Presentation

A presentation involves delivering information, data or findings to an audience, often with the use of visual aids such as slides, charts, or diagrams. It requires clear communication skills, good organization, and effective use of technology.

Presentation structure:

• Introduction : introduces the topic and purpose of the presentation
• Body : presents the main points, findings, or data, with the help of visual aids
• Conclusion : summarizes the key points and provides a closing statement

Creative Project

A creative project is an assignment that requires students to produce something original, such as a painting, sculpture, video, or creative writing piece. It allows students to demonstrate their creativity and artistic skills.

Creative project structure:

• Introduction : introduces the project and its purpose
• Body : presents the creative work, with explanations or descriptions as needed
• Conclusion : summarizes the key elements and reflects on the creative process.

Examples of Assignments

Following are Examples of Assignment templates samples:

Essay template:

I. Introduction

• Hook: Grab the reader’s attention with a catchy opening sentence.
• Background: Provide some context or background information on the topic.
• Thesis statement: State the main argument or point of your essay.

II. Body paragraphs

• Topic sentence: Introduce the main idea or argument of the paragraph.
• Evidence: Provide evidence or examples to support your point.
• Analysis: Explain how the evidence supports your argument.
• Transition: Use a transition sentence to lead into the next paragraph.

III. Conclusion

• Restate thesis: Summarize your main argument or point.
• Review key points: Summarize the main points you made in your essay.
• Concluding thoughts: End with a final thought or call to action.

Research paper template:

I. Title page

• Title: Give your paper a descriptive title.
• Author: Include your name and institutional affiliation.
• Date: Provide the date the paper was submitted.

II. Abstract

• Background: Summarize the background and purpose of your research.
• Methodology: Describe the methods you used to conduct your research.
• Results: Summarize the main findings of your research.
• Conclusion: Provide a brief summary of the implications and conclusions of your research.

III. Introduction

• Background: Provide some background information on the topic.
• Research question: State your research question or hypothesis.
• Purpose: Explain the purpose of your research.

IV. Literature review

• Background: Summarize previous research on the topic.
• Gaps in research: Identify gaps or areas that need further research.

V. Methodology

• Participants: Describe the participants in your study.
• Procedure: Explain the procedure you used to conduct your research.
• Measures: Describe the measures you used to collect data.

VI. Results

• Quantitative results: Summarize the quantitative data you collected.
• Qualitative results: Summarize the qualitative data you collected.

VII. Discussion

• Interpretation: Interpret the results and explain what they mean.
• Implications: Discuss the implications of your research.
• Limitations: Identify any limitations or weaknesses of your research.

VIII. Conclusion

• Review key points: Summarize the main points you made in your paper.

Case study template:

• Background: Provide background information on the case.
• Research question: State the research question or problem you are examining.
• Purpose: Explain the purpose of the case study.

II. Analysis

• Problem: Identify the main problem or issue in the case.
• Factors: Describe the factors that contributed to the problem.
• Alternative solutions: Describe potential solutions to the problem.

III. Solution/recommendations

• Proposed solution: Describe the solution you are proposing.
• Rationale: Explain why this solution is the best one.
• Implementation: Describe how the solution can be implemented.

IV. Conclusion

• Summary: Summarize the main points of your case study.

Lab report template:

• Title: Give your report a descriptive title.
• Date: Provide the date the report was submitted.
• Background: Summarize the background and purpose of the experiment.
• Methodology: Describe the methods you used to conduct the experiment.
• Results: Summarize the main findings of the experiment.
• Conclusion: Provide a brief summary of the implications and conclusions
• Background: Provide some background information on the experiment.
• Hypothesis: State your hypothesis or research question.
• Purpose: Explain the purpose of the experiment.

IV. Materials and methods

• Materials: List the materials and equipment used in the experiment.
• Procedure: Describe the procedure you followed to conduct the experiment.
• Data: Present the data you collected in tables or graphs.
• Analysis: Analyze the data and describe the patterns or trends you observed.

VI. Discussion

• Implications: Discuss the implications of your findings.
• Limitations: Identify any limitations or weaknesses of the experiment.

VII. Conclusion

• Restate hypothesis: Summarize your hypothesis or research question.
• Review key points: Summarize the main points you made in your report.

Presentation template:

• Attention grabber: Grab the audience’s attention with a catchy opening.
• Purpose: Explain the purpose of your presentation.
• Overview: Provide an overview of what you will cover in your presentation.

II. Main points

• Main point 1: Present the first main point of your presentation.
• Supporting details: Provide supporting details or evidence to support your point.
• Main point 2: Present the second main point of your presentation.
• Main point 3: Present the third main point of your presentation.
• Summary: Summarize the main points of your presentation.
• Call to action: End with a final thought or call to action.

Creative writing template:

• Setting: Describe the setting of your story.
• Characters: Introduce the main characters of your story.
• Rising action: Introduce the conflict or problem in your story.
• Climax: Present the most intense moment of the story.
• Falling action: Resolve the conflict or problem in your story.
• Resolution: Describe how the conflict or problem was resolved.
• Final thoughts: End with a final thought or reflection on the story.

How to Write Assignment

Here is a general guide on how to write an assignment:

• Understand the assignment prompt: Before you begin writing, make sure you understand what the assignment requires. Read the prompt carefully and make note of any specific requirements or guidelines.
• Research and gather information: Depending on the type of assignment, you may need to do research to gather information to support your argument or points. Use credible sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites.
• Organize your ideas : Once you have gathered all the necessary information, organize your ideas into a clear and logical structure. Consider creating an outline or diagram to help you visualize your ideas.
• Write a draft: Begin writing your assignment using your organized ideas and research. Don’t worry too much about grammar or sentence structure at this point; the goal is to get your thoughts down on paper.
• Revise and edit: After you have written a draft, revise and edit your work. Make sure your ideas are presented in a clear and concise manner, and that your sentences and paragraphs flow smoothly.
• Proofread: Finally, proofread your work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. It’s a good idea to have someone else read over your assignment as well to catch any mistakes you may have missed.
• Submit your assignment : Once you are satisfied with your work, submit your assignment according to the instructions provided by your instructor or professor.

Applications of Assignment

Assignments have many applications across different fields and industries. Here are a few examples:

• Education : Assignments are a common tool used in education to help students learn and demonstrate their knowledge. They can be used to assess a student’s understanding of a particular topic, to develop critical thinking skills, and to improve writing and research abilities.
• Business : Assignments can be used in the business world to assess employee skills, to evaluate job performance, and to provide training opportunities. They can also be used to develop business plans, marketing strategies, and financial projections.
• Journalism : Assignments are often used in journalism to produce news articles, features, and investigative reports. Journalists may be assigned to cover a particular event or topic, or to research and write a story on a specific subject.
• Research : Assignments can be used in research to collect and analyze data, to conduct experiments, and to present findings in written or oral form. Researchers may be assigned to conduct research on a specific topic, to write a research paper, or to present their findings at a conference or seminar.
• Government : Assignments can be used in government to develop policy proposals, to conduct research, and to analyze data. Government officials may be assigned to work on a specific project or to conduct research on a particular topic.
• Non-profit organizations: Assignments can be used in non-profit organizations to develop fundraising strategies, to plan events, and to conduct research. Volunteers may be assigned to work on a specific project or to help with a particular task.

Purpose of Assignment

The purpose of an assignment varies depending on the context in which it is given. However, some common purposes of assignments include:

• Assessing learning: Assignments are often used to assess a student’s understanding of a particular topic or concept. This allows educators to determine if a student has mastered the material or if they need additional support.
• Developing skills: Assignments can be used to develop a wide range of skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, research, and communication. Assignments that require students to analyze and synthesize information can help to build these skills.
• Encouraging creativity: Assignments can be designed to encourage students to be creative and think outside the box. This can help to foster innovation and original thinking.
• Providing feedback : Assignments provide an opportunity for teachers to provide feedback to students on their progress and performance. Feedback can help students to understand where they need to improve and to develop a growth mindset.
• Meeting learning objectives : Assignments can be designed to help students meet specific learning objectives or outcomes. For example, a writing assignment may be designed to help students improve their writing skills, while a research assignment may be designed to help students develop their research skills.

When to write Assignment

Assignments are typically given by instructors or professors as part of a course or academic program. The timing of when to write an assignment will depend on the specific requirements of the course or program, but in general, assignments should be completed within the timeframe specified by the instructor or program guidelines.

It is important to begin working on assignments as soon as possible to ensure enough time for research, writing, and revisions. Waiting until the last minute can result in rushed work and lower quality output.

It is also important to prioritize assignments based on their due dates and the amount of work required. This will help to manage time effectively and ensure that all assignments are completed on time.

In addition to assignments given by instructors or professors, there may be other situations where writing an assignment is necessary. For example, in the workplace, assignments may be given to complete a specific project or task. In these situations, it is important to establish clear deadlines and expectations to ensure that the assignment is completed on time and to a high standard.

Characteristics of Assignment

Here are some common characteristics of assignments:

• Purpose : Assignments have a specific purpose, such as assessing knowledge or developing skills. They are designed to help students learn and achieve specific learning objectives.
• Requirements: Assignments have specific requirements that must be met, such as a word count, format, or specific content. These requirements are usually provided by the instructor or professor.
• Deadline: Assignments have a specific deadline for completion, which is usually set by the instructor or professor. It is important to meet the deadline to avoid penalties or lower grades.
• Individual or group work: Assignments can be completed individually or as part of a group. Group assignments may require collaboration and communication with other group members.
• Feedback : Assignments provide an opportunity for feedback from the instructor or professor. This feedback can help students to identify areas of improvement and to develop their skills.
• Academic integrity: Assignments require academic integrity, which means that students must submit original work and avoid plagiarism. This includes citing sources properly and following ethical guidelines.
• Learning outcomes : Assignments are designed to help students achieve specific learning outcomes. These outcomes are usually related to the course objectives and may include developing critical thinking skills, writing abilities, or subject-specific knowledge.

Advantages of Assignment

There are several advantages of assignment, including:

• Helps in learning: Assignments help students to reinforce their learning and understanding of a particular topic. By completing assignments, students get to apply the concepts learned in class, which helps them to better understand and retain the information.
• Develops critical thinking skills: Assignments often require students to think critically and analyze information in order to come up with a solution or answer. This helps to develop their critical thinking skills, which are important for success in many areas of life.
• Encourages creativity: Assignments that require students to create something, such as a piece of writing or a project, can encourage creativity and innovation. This can help students to develop new ideas and perspectives, which can be beneficial in many areas of life.
• Builds time-management skills: Assignments often come with deadlines, which can help students to develop time-management skills. Learning how to manage time effectively is an important skill that can help students to succeed in many areas of life.
• Provides feedback: Assignments provide an opportunity for students to receive feedback on their work. This feedback can help students to identify areas where they need to improve and can help them to grow and develop.

Limitations of Assignment

There are also some limitations of assignments that should be considered, including:

• Limited scope: Assignments are often limited in scope, and may not provide a comprehensive understanding of a particular topic. They may only cover a specific aspect of a topic, and may not provide a full picture of the subject matter.
• Lack of engagement: Some assignments may not engage students in the learning process, particularly if they are repetitive or not challenging enough. This can lead to a lack of motivation and interest in the subject matter.
• Time-consuming: Assignments can be time-consuming, particularly if they require a lot of research or writing. This can be a disadvantage for students who have other commitments, such as work or extracurricular activities.
• Unreliable assessment: The assessment of assignments can be subjective and may not always accurately reflect a student’s understanding or abilities. The grading may be influenced by factors such as the instructor’s personal biases or the student’s writing style.
• Lack of feedback : Although assignments can provide feedback, this feedback may not always be detailed or useful. Instructors may not have the time or resources to provide detailed feedback on every assignment, which can limit the value of the feedback that students receive.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

You may also like

Data Collection – Methods Types and Examples

Delimitations in Research – Types, Examples and...

Research Process – Steps, Examples and Tips

Research Design – Types, Methods and Examples

Institutional Review Board – Application Sample...

Evaluating Research – Process, Examples and...

Understanding Assignments

What this handout is about.

The first step in any successful college writing venture is reading the assignment. While this sounds like a simple task, it can be a tough one. This handout will help you unravel your assignment and begin to craft an effective response. Much of the following advice will involve translating typical assignment terms and practices into meaningful clues to the type of writing your instructor expects. See our short video for more tips.

Basic beginnings

Regardless of the assignment, department, or instructor, adopting these two habits will serve you well :

• Read the assignment carefully as soon as you receive it. Do not put this task off—reading the assignment at the beginning will save you time, stress, and problems later. An assignment can look pretty straightforward at first, particularly if the instructor has provided lots of information. That does not mean it will not take time and effort to complete; you may even have to learn a new skill to complete the assignment.
• Ask the instructor about anything you do not understand. Do not hesitate to approach your instructor. Instructors would prefer to set you straight before you hand the paper in. That’s also when you will find their feedback most useful.

Assignment formats

Many assignments follow a basic format. Assignments often begin with an overview of the topic, include a central verb or verbs that describe the task, and offer some additional suggestions, questions, or prompts to get you started.

An Overview of Some Kind

The instructor might set the stage with some general discussion of the subject of the assignment, introduce the topic, or remind you of something pertinent that you have discussed in class. For example:

“Throughout history, gerbils have played a key role in politics,” or “In the last few weeks of class, we have focused on the evening wear of the housefly …”

The Task of the Assignment

Pay attention; this part tells you what to do when you write the paper. Look for the key verb or verbs in the sentence. Words like analyze, summarize, or compare direct you to think about your topic in a certain way. Also pay attention to words such as how, what, when, where, and why; these words guide your attention toward specific information. (See the section in this handout titled “Key Terms” for more information.)

“Analyze the effect that gerbils had on the Russian Revolution”, or “Suggest an interpretation of housefly undergarments that differs from Darwin’s.”

Additional Material to Think about

Here you will find some questions to use as springboards as you begin to think about the topic. Instructors usually include these questions as suggestions rather than requirements. Do not feel compelled to answer every question unless the instructor asks you to do so. Pay attention to the order of the questions. Sometimes they suggest the thinking process your instructor imagines you will need to follow to begin thinking about the topic.

“You may wish to consider the differing views held by Communist gerbils vs. Monarchist gerbils, or Can there be such a thing as ‘the housefly garment industry’ or is it just a home-based craft?”

These are the instructor’s comments about writing expectations:

“Be concise”, “Write effectively”, or “Argue furiously.”

Technical Details

These instructions usually indicate format rules or guidelines.

“Your paper must be typed in Palatino font on gray paper and must not exceed 600 pages. It is due on the anniversary of Mao Tse-tung’s death.”

The assignment’s parts may not appear in exactly this order, and each part may be very long or really short. Nonetheless, being aware of this standard pattern can help you understand what your instructor wants you to do.

Interpreting the assignment

Ask yourself a few basic questions as you read and jot down the answers on the assignment sheet:

Why did your instructor ask you to do this particular task?

Who is your audience.

• What kind of evidence do you need to support your ideas?

What kind of writing style is acceptable?

• What are the absolute rules of the paper?

Try to look at the question from the point of view of the instructor. Recognize that your instructor has a reason for giving you this assignment and for giving it to you at a particular point in the semester. In every assignment, the instructor has a challenge for you. This challenge could be anything from demonstrating an ability to think clearly to demonstrating an ability to use the library. See the assignment not as a vague suggestion of what to do but as an opportunity to show that you can handle the course material as directed. Paper assignments give you more than a topic to discuss—they ask you to do something with the topic. Keep reminding yourself of that. Be careful to avoid the other extreme as well: do not read more into the assignment than what is there.

Of course, your instructor has given you an assignment so that he or she will be able to assess your understanding of the course material and give you an appropriate grade. But there is more to it than that. Your instructor has tried to design a learning experience of some kind. Your instructor wants you to think about something in a particular way for a particular reason. If you read the course description at the beginning of your syllabus, review the assigned readings, and consider the assignment itself, you may begin to see the plan, purpose, or approach to the subject matter that your instructor has created for you. If you still aren’t sure of the assignment’s goals, try asking the instructor. For help with this, see our handout on getting feedback .

Given your instructor’s efforts, it helps to answer the question: What is my purpose in completing this assignment? Is it to gather research from a variety of outside sources and present a coherent picture? Is it to take material I have been learning in class and apply it to a new situation? Is it to prove a point one way or another? Key words from the assignment can help you figure this out. Look for key terms in the form of active verbs that tell you what to do.

Key Terms: Finding Those Active Verbs

Here are some common key words and definitions to help you think about assignment terms:

Information words Ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why.

• define —give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning
• describe —provide details about the subject by answering question words (such as who, what, when, where, how, and why); you might also give details related to the five senses (what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell)
• explain —give reasons why or examples of how something happened
• illustrate —give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject
• summarize —briefly list the important ideas you learned about the subject
• trace —outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form
• research —gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you have found

Relation words Ask you to demonstrate how things are connected.

• compare —show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different)
• contrast —show how two or more things are dissimilar
• apply—use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation
• cause —show how one event or series of events made something else happen
• relate —show or describe the connections between things

Interpretation words Ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Do not see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation.

• assess —summarize your opinion of the subject and measure it against something
• prove, justify —give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth
• evaluate, respond —state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons
• support —give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe)
• synthesize —put two or more things together that have not been put together in class or in your readings before; do not just summarize one and then the other and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together that runs all the way through the paper
• analyze —determine how individual parts create or relate to the whole, figure out how something works, what it might mean, or why it is important
• argue —take a side and defend it with evidence against the other side

More Clues to Your Purpose As you read the assignment, think about what the teacher does in class:

• What kinds of textbooks or coursepack did your instructor choose for the course—ones that provide background information, explain theories or perspectives, or argue a point of view?
• In lecture, does your instructor ask your opinion, try to prove her point of view, or use keywords that show up again in the assignment?
• What kinds of assignments are typical in this discipline? Social science classes often expect more research. Humanities classes thrive on interpretation and analysis.
• How do the assignments, readings, and lectures work together in the course? Instructors spend time designing courses, sometimes even arguing with their peers about the most effective course materials. Figuring out the overall design to the course will help you understand what each assignment is meant to achieve.

Now, what about your reader? Most undergraduates think of their audience as the instructor. True, your instructor is a good person to keep in mind as you write. But for the purposes of a good paper, think of your audience as someone like your roommate: smart enough to understand a clear, logical argument, but not someone who already knows exactly what is going on in your particular paper. Remember, even if the instructor knows everything there is to know about your paper topic, he or she still has to read your paper and assess your understanding. In other words, teach the material to your reader.

Aiming a paper at your audience happens in two ways: you make decisions about the tone and the level of information you want to convey.

• Tone means the “voice” of your paper. Should you be chatty, formal, or objective? Usually you will find some happy medium—you do not want to alienate your reader by sounding condescending or superior, but you do not want to, um, like, totally wig on the man, you know? Eschew ostentatious erudition: some students think the way to sound academic is to use big words. Be careful—you can sound ridiculous, especially if you use the wrong big words.
• The level of information you use depends on who you think your audience is. If you imagine your audience as your instructor and she already knows everything you have to say, you may find yourself leaving out key information that can cause your argument to be unconvincing and illogical. But you do not have to explain every single word or issue. If you are telling your roommate what happened on your favorite science fiction TV show last night, you do not say, “First a dark-haired white man of average height, wearing a suit and carrying a flashlight, walked into the room. Then a purple alien with fifteen arms and at least three eyes turned around. Then the man smiled slightly. In the background, you could hear a clock ticking. The room was fairly dark and had at least two windows that I saw.” You also do not say, “This guy found some aliens. The end.” Find some balance of useful details that support your main point.

You’ll find a much more detailed discussion of these concepts in our handout on audience .

The Grim Truth

With a few exceptions (including some lab and ethnography reports), you are probably being asked to make an argument. You must convince your audience. It is easy to forget this aim when you are researching and writing; as you become involved in your subject matter, you may become enmeshed in the details and focus on learning or simply telling the information you have found. You need to do more than just repeat what you have read. Your writing should have a point, and you should be able to say it in a sentence. Sometimes instructors call this sentence a “thesis” or a “claim.”

So, if your instructor tells you to write about some aspect of oral hygiene, you do not want to just list: “First, you brush your teeth with a soft brush and some peanut butter. Then, you floss with unwaxed, bologna-flavored string. Finally, gargle with bourbon.” Instead, you could say, “Of all the oral cleaning methods, sandblasting removes the most plaque. Therefore it should be recommended by the American Dental Association.” Or, “From an aesthetic perspective, moldy teeth can be quite charming. However, their joys are short-lived.”

Convincing the reader of your argument is the goal of academic writing. It doesn’t have to say “argument” anywhere in the assignment for you to need one. Look at the assignment and think about what kind of argument you could make about it instead of just seeing it as a checklist of information you have to present. For help with understanding the role of argument in academic writing, see our handout on argument .

What kind of evidence do you need?

There are many kinds of evidence, and what type of evidence will work for your assignment can depend on several factors–the discipline, the parameters of the assignment, and your instructor’s preference. Should you use statistics? Historical examples? Do you need to conduct your own experiment? Can you rely on personal experience? See our handout on evidence for suggestions on how to use evidence appropriately.

Make sure you are clear about this part of the assignment, because your use of evidence will be crucial in writing a successful paper. You are not just learning how to argue; you are learning how to argue with specific types of materials and ideas. Ask your instructor what counts as acceptable evidence. You can also ask a librarian for help. No matter what kind of evidence you use, be sure to cite it correctly—see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial .

You cannot always tell from the assignment just what sort of writing style your instructor expects. The instructor may be really laid back in class but still expect you to sound formal in writing. Or the instructor may be fairly formal in class and ask you to write a reflection paper where you need to use “I” and speak from your own experience.

Try to avoid false associations of a particular field with a style (“art historians like wacky creativity,” or “political scientists are boring and just give facts”) and look instead to the types of readings you have been given in class. No one expects you to write like Plato—just use the readings as a guide for what is standard or preferable to your instructor. When in doubt, ask your instructor about the level of formality she or he expects.

No matter what field you are writing for or what facts you are including, if you do not write so that your reader can understand your main idea, you have wasted your time. So make clarity your main goal. For specific help with style, see our handout on style .

Technical details about the assignment

The technical information you are given in an assignment always seems like the easy part. This section can actually give you lots of little hints about approaching the task. Find out if elements such as page length and citation format (see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial ) are negotiable. Some professors do not have strong preferences as long as you are consistent and fully answer the assignment. Some professors are very specific and will deduct big points for deviations.

Usually, the page length tells you something important: The instructor thinks the size of the paper is appropriate to the assignment’s parameters. In plain English, your instructor is telling you how many pages it should take for you to answer the question as fully as you are expected to. So if an assignment is two pages long, you cannot pad your paper with examples or reword your main idea several times. Hit your one point early, defend it with the clearest example, and finish quickly. If an assignment is ten pages long, you can be more complex in your main points and examples—and if you can only produce five pages for that assignment, you need to see someone for help—as soon as possible.

Tricks that don’t work

Your instructors are not fooled when you:

• spend more time on the cover page than the essay —graphics, cool binders, and cute titles are no replacement for a well-written paper.
• use huge fonts, wide margins, or extra spacing to pad the page length —these tricks are immediately obvious to the eye. Most instructors use the same word processor you do. They know what’s possible. Such tactics are especially damning when the instructor has a stack of 60 papers to grade and yours is the only one that low-flying airplane pilots could read.
• use a paper from another class that covered “sort of similar” material . Again, the instructor has a particular task for you to fulfill in the assignment that usually relates to course material and lectures. Your other paper may not cover this material, and turning in the same paper for more than one course may constitute an Honor Code violation . Ask the instructor—it can’t hurt.
• get all wacky and “creative” before you answer the question . Showing that you are able to think beyond the boundaries of a simple assignment can be good, but you must do what the assignment calls for first. Again, check with your instructor. A humorous tone can be refreshing for someone grading a stack of papers, but it will not get you a good grade if you have not fulfilled the task.

Critical reading of assignments leads to skills in other types of reading and writing. If you get good at figuring out what the real goals of assignments are, you are going to be better at understanding the goals of all of your classes and fields of study.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Make a Gift