Disciplinary Approaches

Humanities (e.g., English literature, classical studies, fine arts):

Are you being asked to consider a primary text, such as a novel, poem or play and to construct an interpretation or argument based upon some feature of the work or the context in which the work was produced? If so, what evidence do you need to provide to support your interpretation or argument (e.g., direct quotations from the text, other scholarly criticism, etc.)?

All types of assignments will require more than simply restating the findings of your readings. Generally, you will be making a claim or presenting a viewpoint, which you will need to support with evidence. For more information about how to develop an argument, see the Writing Strategies module.

Are you being asked to consider a historical event and its importance, causes, or effects? If so, what will strengthen your assignment: documents from the time of the event (e.g., newspapers, government documents, letters, diaries, etc.), later scholarly interpretations, a particular theoretical lens?

Social Sciences (e.g., sociology, criminology, political science):

What existing scholarly work informs your approach and understanding of this topic (e.g., scholarly journal articles, empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, etc.)? Will you be expected to consult resources that provide data on a particular aspect of society pertinent to your topic (e.g., census data, government documents, or primary sources such as newspapers, etc.)?