Academic Writing at the GSD
You will have many kinds of writing assignments to complete while at the GSD. The file below provides insight into GSD-specific expectations, and the links provide more general support in understanding the skills and strategies needed for academic writing.
- Forms of Writing at the GSDThis resource, created by fellow GSD students, can help you identify key features and expectations of the most common forms of writing that you will encounter here. Remember to ask your instructor if you have questions and come to Writing Services for writing support.
- What is "Academic" Writing?This essay is useful for understanding style and method in academic writing.
- Harvard Faculty Explain Analytical WritingFaculty from Harvard College explain analytical writing in this project from the Harvard College Writing Center.
- Advice on Academic WritingThis catalog of advice from the University of Toronto was created by writing instructors.
- Scholarly Pursuits (GSAS)This searchable booklet from Harvard GSAS is a comprehensive guide to writing dissertations, dissertation-fellowship applications, academic journal articles, and academic job documents.
- Strategies for Essay WritingThis resource from Harvard College Writing Center offers strategies to begin a writing project.
- Anatomy of a Journal ArticleAn infographic of all the main sections of a scientific journal article and what should be in them (from APA but applicable beyond APA).
Decoding the assignment
Successful academic writing starts with identifying the explicit and implicit expectations of the assignment. If you don't understand the assignment, you may not only have trouble starting to write but might put effort into the wrong things. If you are still unsure how to proceed after following these steps, ask your instructor. And if you want support at any point in the writing process, including reading through the assignment, make an appointment with GSD's Writing Services at Frances Loeb Library.
Stated Expectations
Look for these elements in the assignment prompt:
- Is it asking for outside research?
- Are there course texts or materials you will need to include?
- Is there an approximate length requirement?
- Which skills does it want you to demonstrate? Look for the verbs
- Describe
- Analyze
- Interpret
- Critique
- Argue
- Evaluate
- Compare or contrast
Unstated Expectations
Some expectations of the assignment may not be mentioned in the prompt, so give some thought to the context of the assignment to figure these out.
- What kind of theoretical, practical, or disciplinary frameworks or procedures has the professor been modeling in class and assigning for homework? This writing assignment is probably in some way asking you to demonstrate understanding and proficiency in applying them.
- Who is your audience and what is the situation? You will adjust your use of industry terminology and the density of your writing depending on whether you are writing for your instructors or for a broader community. The assignment might not tell you that your writing will be persuasive or evaluative, but if you know your relationship to your audience, you can determine if you need to persuade them with evidence and analysis, help them make their own decision by providing pros and cons for a project, or energize them by helping them imagine the benefits and practicality of a design.
- Understanding AssignmentsUNC's Writing Center provides a detailed process for decoding assignments, including definitions of many key terms to watch for.
- Tips for Reading Assignment PromptsHarvard College Writing Center's brief overview of steps to take in understanding an assignment.
- Understanding AssignmentsPurdue OWL's succinct step-by-step guide for understanding assignment prompts.
- How to Read an AssignmentHarvard College Writing Center's brief advice on what to do and avoid with examples.