Understanding the assignment. Sounds obvious. But more often than not, students approach the reference desk for help without fully understanding the assignment. 

The checklist below helps students to take the time to understand the assignment COMPLETELY.

1.  When is the assignment due? 

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2.  How long is it supposed to be?

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3.  How many sources must you use?*

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4.  What types of sources? (scholarly database, peer-reviewed, print, etc.)

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5.  Do you need primary source materials? 

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6.  What style is the paper formatted in? (APA, MLA, etc.)

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7.  Is your professor expecting in-text citations and a bibliography? 

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8.  Does the paper require images? _______________

9.  Do you understand the topic question/assignment clearly? _____________________\

*NOTE: If the number of sources aren't mentioned, use the following rule of thumb: for a shorter paper, use 5-8 sources; for a longer paper, provide 8-10 sources.

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