Writing Assignments =

                invitations to engage (a.k.a. "brainstorming")

“It’s the instructor’s primary task to design assignments as intelligently as possible. 

At Rutgers, framing the actual assignments was seen by faculty and TA’s alike

as engaging to the fullest one’s best intellectual abilities.”

                                    -- John Brenton writing program administrator (WPA) at Brandeis University

When assigning writing, it is very important to think about how you design and then present an assignment to students.

Questions to consider:

• What is the purpose of the writing assignment? to think? to communicate?
• What is the role of the student in writing this piece?
• Who is the intended audience?
• What content do you want to be addressed?

 Consider using RAFT organizational strategies -- (Role Audience Format Task)

See also ... How do I write an effective assignment sheet?  guiding questions, resources & samples