Before you write an assignment, your instructor will likely give you a writing prompt. This might include the requirements, the format, page, count, due date, sources, the topics, the style, such as cause and effect, compare and contrast, description, persuasion, and instructor preference. Disecting the prompt means that you will go through a process of disassembling or taking apart and examining what the instructor has given you. There are some important steps in dissecting writing prompts. First, you want to read the prompt carefully. Do not skim. Consider each sentence as important. Many instructors have spent great time in writing what they want and don't want. In other words, you don't have to read their minds. It's in the prompt. Next, look up any unknown words. Write their definitions or synonyms on the prompt. Third, circle keywords to remind you of what must be included in the written assignment. Research any words that are unfamiliar. Next, highlight verbs. These verbs tell you exactly what you need to do. And next, reflect on your understanding of the assignment and give your instructor questions if you are not sure what is being asked of you. Here is an example of a prompt for a group project in an accounting class. It focuses on a financial statement analysis. Part of the prompt reads, the group must be made as a team consisting of three to four students. The project must be original works created by the students, with citations noted for sources used. The project made using textbook publisher slides or materials in whole or with minor adjustments are not acceptable and will be considered plagiarism. Notice that there are several signal words to show requirements. These words include must and not acceptable. In the same prompt, the instructor said, select two companies to compare and contrast. Both companies should be in the same line of business and should be traded on a national stock exchange. For example, you could choose Nabisco or General Mills or General Motors and Ford. Sign-in sheet for the selection of companies and names of team members will be circulated in class. Obtain the annual report information for each of the companies for the same or similar time period. If the two companies have different year ends, choose the ones that are the closest to each other. If you cannot get the most current financial statements, then use the most current available to you. The best source of financial data is on the websites of the companies themselves. Notice that the paragraphs begin with a verb which tells the student what to do and then in the paragraph the instructor explains how to do the verb. In other words, the instructor guides the students on how to do that step by explaining the criteria and giving examples. In the next example from an introduction to engineering class, the complete prompt says, an emerging technology, choose an emerging technology in which engineers are working, show the technology and its application. How does it work? Include diagrams. What are the advantages to adopting this new technology? What are the obstacles that stand in the way? Some examples from which to choose? Fuel sales, nanotechnology, robotics, superconductivity, artificial intelligence. This prompt is very brief. The instructor asked questions to guide students on what to write and provided some examples. However, students might have several questions after reading this prompt. What are questions you would ask this instructor? Some questions might be related to the requirements. Are sources required? If so, how many? Where should students look for sources? How many pages should be written in this assignment? When is it due? How should it be submitted? These are some example questions to ask your instructor when an assignment is given. The last prompt is from an English composition course. It is a lengthy prompt that has subheadings and underlined and bold text to add emphasis. Pause the video if you would like to read the prompt in detail. One point in showing the three example prompts is that every instructor has a different style of writing prompts. So that leaves me with two final tips in dissecting writing prompts. Always have the prompt available. This is important in case you see a tutor or you can use the prompt as a checklist once you've completed the assignment. The last tip is to ask questions. The assignment will be difficult to complete if you do not fully understand what is being asked of you or you might complete the assignment incorrectly. Both of these situations can be avoided if you ask questions or ask for clarification. Good luck and happy writing!