When you are tasked with writing assignments in college, you will encounter a variety of styles and formats. Below are some common types of assignments you might be asked to complete.
Before writing a paper, you will often start with assignments that help you organize your thoughts and structure your work.
Once you have organized your thoughts, whether formally or informally, you will move on to assignments that require you to create a complete written or spoken work based on your responses, research, and analysis.
Some writing assignments combine these styles. For example, you might be asked to identify a problem, propose a solution, and persuade your audience to consider the solution.
Instructors often distribute writing assignments that build upon one another over the semester. For instance, you might start by writing a proposal, then develop an annotated bibliography, and finally submit a comprehensive research paper. Alternatively, you might write a personal reflection essay, then locate and use sources to develop a research paper on the same topic.
The above discussion and list of writing assignments is not meant to be comprehensive, but representative of observed assignments at McLennan Community College. For additional types of assignments, look at Duke University Writing Studio's Genres of Writing or Excelsior Online Writing Lab's Rhetorical Styles.
To wrap things up, knowing the different types of assignments you’ll face in college can really help you make the most of your sources and organize your work better. Each assignment has its own purpose, so understanding what’s expected can make a big difference in how you approach your research and writing. By getting familiar with these styles, you’ll be better prepared to meet your instructors' expectations and succeed in your classes at MCC. And remember, the resources in this guide, along with support from Library Services and the Learning Commons support, are here to help you tackle any assignment that comes your way.
The Types of Research and Writing Assignments map is courtesy of Kristen Cook, created in Canva.
