Regardless of any writer's personal skill level, neither eloquent vocabulary nor impeccable grammarian style can save a paper that doesn't know what it's supposed to be doing. Writing a good paper that doesn't address its prompt is like hopping on a one-way cruise-liner headed to the middle of the ocean: it's a nice ride, going nowhere.

This section is for those of us who find ourselves sitting down with a professor's prompts and quite literally not knowing where to begin.  Here are a few helpful hints that'll make those first hours less painful (and the last ones more rewarding!).

Prompt-reading is a skill

It's a skill that grows stronger with experience.  Don't be discouraged when you see a new type of prompt.  There are typically a few main points any professor could be asking you to address in any given prompt (but don't tell them that!). 

Two main types of prompt:

1. Some prompts introduce new information and ask you to evaluate it in light of previously discussed concepts.

2. Other (arguably more difficult) prompts ask you to tactfully and creatively discuss old material in a new way. 

3. Okay, I lied. There's a third one.  It's also fairly common.  Often professors will present prompts that BOTH introduce new information (or ask you to research new information) AND ask you to discuss this information in relation to old material!  Pretty sneaky.

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Steps to addressing a prompt

Each of the aforementioned prompts can be approached using these steps or your own variation of them. 

1-    Read the prompt.  Ask yourself: Am I familiar with all of the vocabulary used?  Did my first read give me a general sense of what kind of prompt this is (i.e. analytic, compare/contrast, research, creative, etc.)?

Ex. Analyze both the positive and negative effects of di-hydride monoxide on human health, and discuss how these effects may have influenced Mr. Q's relationship to Mrs. P in 17^th century Beijing. 

2-    Read again and underline key words that can direct you toward specific questions you need to answer in your essay. 

Ex. Analyze both the negative and positive effects of di-hydride monoxide on human health, and discuss how these effects may have influenced Mr. Q's relationship to Mrs. P in 17^th century Beijing. 

3-    Look at course specific content.  Determine what kind of old material (texts, ideas) you will need to address in this paper. 

Ex.  Analyze both the negative and positive effects of di-hydride monoxide on human health, and discuss how these effects may have influenced Mr. Q's relationship to Mrs. P in 17^th century Beijing. 

 4-    Beware of multi-faceted prompts.  Notice in the above example that you must both Analyze AND Explain.  Failure to address both parts of the prompt can result in a significant penalty to your grade. 

5-    Look for ways to make your essay unique other than printing it on fragrant pink paper.  This is a dangerous step.  If taken carelessly, you'll miss the step completely and fall on your face.  If taken too delicately, you'll never make it up the stairs.  The previous steps should be able to direct you toward answering the general question of the prompt i.e. clearly understanding and formulating new and old information.  However, almost all (and you may want to check with your professor to see if he/she falls into this category) professors are looking for papers that address these things in interesting ways. To make sure that you don't lose sight of the prompt while trying to do this, work from the prompt!  Look for words like "why" or "analyze" that can give you room to do your thing. 

Ex.  Analyze both the negative and positive effects of di-hydride monoxide on human health, and discuss how these effects may have influenced Mr. Q's relationship to Mrs. P in 17^th century Beijing.

Remember: even if you write a Pulitzer Prize-worthy essay, you professor will have little choice but to fail you if you do not address the prompt!

When in doubt, ask your professor!!

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