Strategies for Assignment Design

Effective assignments are designed with plagiarism prevention in mind.

• Specify or vary voice, audience, and purpose
• Create problem-based not just topic-based assignments
• Empower students to choose from a list of specific problems OR use wording that is specific with an unusual twist
• Require an argument not just a report
• Limit sources to those published within the last (xx) months/years, if appropriate to the problem
• Design for the appropriate course level (100-400)

Example: Assignment Dos and Don’ts

Effective assignments are scaffolded.

Break down major assignments into manageable mini-assignments

• Make elements of one major assignment due at reasonable intervals
• Build in review (either by faculty or in peer groups)

Example of a Scaffolded Research Paper:

• Class Discussion: “How to find and develop research questions”
• Annotated bibliography, summary, or abstract assignment
• Thesis and outline development in-class workshop OR self-guided writing center visit
• Work with librarians to provide a workshop or resources on effective source integration and/or citation guidelines appropriate to the discipline
• First draft peer review
• Final draft due

Effective assignments are embedded in course themes and materials.

• Tie assignments directly to course readings, overarching themes, or specific learning outcomes
• Prescribe the use of one or more particular sources, datasets, etc. (especially those that have been used or demonstrated in class)
• Create low-stakes writing assignment(s) in which students put two sources in conversation with one another
• Allow students to define specific questions about course theme or problem

Examples:
Swarthmore
UC-Berkeley

Effective assignments are modeled.

• Model movement from source notes to integration, with appropriate citation methods
• model of: source to patchwriting, model of: summary, paraphrase, and integration into text
• Provide opportunities to practice (e.g. using peer groups/peer tutors)
• Provide samples and suggested resources for each step of the writing and research process
• Show students how to evaluate their sources

Effective assignments require source documentation.

• Require copies of source material
• Require process notes on group/individual activities
• Require an annotated bibliography ahead of time–complete with call numbers for books, URLs for web resources, and DOIs for journal articles
• Require “low stakes” response papers or research logs
• Use Turnitin to review assignment drafts