When starting to write an assignment, the first thing that comes to mind is how to write it because there are many ways in which you can complete your assignment, but if you choose the wrong one, chances are that the teacher would not like it because the teacher might be expecting something else. Some teachers specify clearly the type of assignment they want, but others don't because they expect college students to know it already. Spoon feeding the answer that teachers want is the practice prevalent in High Schools whereas college teachers don't because the students would soon be working in companies where the boss does not specify anything.
There are five custom assignment writing styles, informational, argumentative, analytical, reflective and expressive. You have to go through the following steps to determine which type of style is required for your assignment.
Firstly, make sure you understand the teacher's instructions and what you are required to do. If the teacher wants you to write the summary of the chapter, or an informational assignment, you are not required to search anything from the internet or other sources, because only a short form of the chapter is required. If the teacher wants you to give your opinion on a point discussed in class, you might have to develop a thesis and take a stance in order to prove your opinion correct, implying the argumentative type should be used in the assignment.
Secondly, always see if further research or citation is required or not. Writing a summary would include citation of the author of the book/article, whereas, giving your viewpoint or researching on a topic would always include references. If further research is required and you do not do it, the point of doing the assignment would be useless.
Third, remember that do not include in your stance if not asked for. Some assignments require only further description of the author's viewpoint. For example, writing on a piece of poetry would not ask for your opinion, but further explanation of what the poet is trying to say and the flip side, include your point of view if required.
Although doing your assignment correctly and fulfilling the teacher's expectations is very difficult for freshmen, however, through time students learn to interpret the teacher's expectations. Not telling everything word by word is also important because in the corporate world, people have to make their own decisions on what they think is best. They analyze the situation and act accordingly.
