Unpacking the topic

Start by rewriting your question in your own words beginning with: 'This task asks me to...'

Some assessment pieces can be quite complex and you may have to perform more than one task in the one question. Make the question easier to understand by breaking the tasks down into chunks first.

Glance at your rewritten version regularly while researching and writing your assignment to ensure you are staying on task.

Task words let you know exactly how to go about answering the question. Common university task words include discuss, identify, explain, evaluate, analyse.

The structure you need to use for your assignment may also be found within the question. For example, ‘Write an essay…’ or ‘Write a report…’.

Be aware that your lecturer may provide meanings for task words and the assignment structure in your course materials. Use this advice to understand exactly what your lecturer is looking for.

If no advice is provided, use generic guidelines and advice on task words and how to develop these assignment structures appropriately.

Simple question analysis

Here's a sample assignment topic: ‘Describe Maslow's hierarchy of needs’.

• Begin your analysis by rewriting the question – ‘This task asks me to describe Maslow’s hierarchy of needs’.
• Next, focus on the key parts of the question – the task words, content words and limiting words.

Task words tell you how to answer the question. In this case, the task is ‘describe’. This means you will need to describe the most important points related to the topic.

Content words tell you what topic area/s to focus on. In the example this would be ‘hierarchy of needs’. You now know to focus your research on this topic.

Limiting words allow you to define what parts of the topic area you should focus on. In the example ‘Maslow's’ is the limiting word. You need to make sure that your writing only focuses on the theorist Maslow and his hierarchy of needs.

Complex question analysis

Here's a sample assignment topic: ‘Define loneliness. Describe the potential effects of a long period of loneliness on a person's health and well-being.’.

First chunk: Define loneliness

• Read the chunk with the purpose of understanding ‘define loneliness’.
• Think about what you already know on the topic and ask yourself a question to explore the topic thoroughly.

For example, a definition of this term could be written in sociological terms or medical terms. What are the significant differences?

Second chunk: Describe the potential effects of a long period of loneliness on a person's health and well-being

• Read the chunk with the purpose of understanding ‘describe the potential effects of a long period of loneliness on a person's health and well-being’.
• Think about what you already know on the topic and ask yourself a question to explore the topic thoroughly.
• For example, there are many possible physical results of a person being alone and feeling lonely over a long time. How could you describe the features and characteristics of a person whose health is being affected?
• Use what you have come up with to begin your research.