Breaking Down a Research Prompt: Research Prompts

Understanding the research prompt is the first step in the research process.

First, read the prompt once, all the way through.

Next, ask yourself the following questions as you read through it a second time, also noting when the assignment is due and how you might have to turn it in. You can highlight or underline words and phrases that alert you to what you're supposed to do.

1. What kind of research essay/assignment do you need to write? Or, what is/are the goal/s of the assignment?
2. What kinds of sources do you need to use?
3. What kind of citation format do you need to use?

In your assigned small group, read over and annotate the sample research prompt, and answer the following questions.

1. What kind of research essay/assignment do you need to write? What is the goal of the assignment?
2. What kinds of sources do you need to use?
3. What kind of citation format do you need to use?