Before you begin your assignment, clearly understand what your instructor expects from you. To do that:

• read the assignment description carefully.
• determine the "audience" of your paper: Who will be reading your paper or watching your presentation besides your instructor? Will Classmates, other students, and community members be part of your audience?
• What information sources can you use? Some instructors only want journal article sources. Others may limit the number of Web sites you can use (if you're allowed to use Web sites at all).

Ask questions if you're unsure about anything. Your instructor will be glad to go over the assignment with you. Do this as soon as the assignment is given to you.