example sentence with assignment

ASSIGNMENT in a Sentence Examples: 21 Ways to Use Assignment

Are you struggling to understand the concept of an assignment? An assignment is a task or piece of work that has been assigned to someone as part of their job or studies. It requires them to complete a specific set of actions or deliverables within a defined timeframe.

Table of Contents

7 Examples Of Assignment Used In a Sentence For Kids

14 sentences with assignment examples, how to use assignment in sentences.

Assignment is a task or piece of work that someone is given to do. It can also refer to the allocation of a particular task or job to someone. To use the word assignment in a sentence, simply place it in the context of giving or receiving a task. For example, “The teacher handed out the math assignment to the students” or “I have a new assignment at work that I need to complete by Friday.”

When using assignment in a sentence, it is important to ensure that it fits naturally within the sentence structure. Make sure the context in which you use the word is appropriate and clear for the reader to understand.

You can also use assignment in a broader sense, such as “The assignment of duties within the team was well-organized.” In this case, assignment refers to the distribution of tasks among team members.

Remember that assignment can be used in various contexts, not just limited to academic settings. It can be applied to work projects, volunteer tasks, or even household chores. By understanding the versatility of the word assignment , you can effectively communicate tasks and responsibilities in different situations.

In conclusion, the examples of sentences with the keyword “assignment” demonstrate its role in conveying the idea of a task or duty that needs to be completed. Whether referring to a school assignment, work task, or project, the keyword is versatile in indicating a specific job that requires attention and effort. These sentences show how assignments can vary in complexity and nature, from academic exercises to professional responsibilities.

By examining the usage of the keyword “assignment” in different contexts, it is clear that assignments play a crucial role in education, work, and daily life. They serve as a way to allocate tasks, assess knowledge or skills, and facilitate learning and growth. Understanding the significance of assignments can help individuals prioritize and manage their responsibilities effectively, leading to successful completion of tasks and achievements of goals.

Related Posts

In front or infront: which is the correct spelling, targeted vs. targetted: correct spelling explained in english (us) usage.

Are you unsure about whether to use “targetted” or “targeted”?…  Read More » Targeted vs. Targetted: Correct Spelling Explained in English (US) Usage

As per Request or As per Requested: Understanding the Correct Usage

Questions about example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "Assignment"

• Meanings of words and phrases
• Example sentences
• Similar words
• Translations
• Other types of questions

The meaning of "Assignment" in various phrases and sentences

Example sentences using "assignment", synonyms of "assignment" and their differences, translations of "assignment", other questions about "assignment", meanings and usages of similar words and phrases, latest words.

HiNative is a platform for users to exchange their knowledge about different languages and cultures.

• What is the difference between company and accompany ?
• Does this sound natural? August flipped away.
• Is her pronunciation perfect as if she were a native? https://youtu.be/f6-T1Kp5mBQ?si=iWwUimielQ...
• Complete the sentence with the correct form of the words in brackets. ..........(Never) tell the...
• Is this grammatical and natural? "I like that kind of jokes."
• Hi, can I ask if the following sentences sound natural? 🤔 (1) A heavy burden is on his shoulder....
• Please show me example sentences with "to the best of my efforts".
• "as well as" can both mean "and" and "as good as" "I speak English as well as French" has two me...
• How do you say this in English (US)? イケてる
• この表現の意味は何ですか?　「英語のシャワー」なのです。 http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/simgad/9392844342911721103
• whats the difference between "다른 것" "다른 거" "다른 걸" and "다른 건"
• How do you say this in Korean? i love you
• How do you say this in Korean? I love you
• What does ㅊㅁ) mean?

Assign In A Sentence: A Great Word For School Or Work!

If you are an English student or someone looking to improve your communication skills, then these examples of assign in a sentence can help! We will also check out the past tense, and noun variants, too! In all, there are over 34 examples to practice today!

Assign in a sentence

Here are 10 examples of assign in a sentence . To help you remember them, read and repeat them all!

• The teacher will assign homework at the end of the lesson.
• Our boss decided to assign the new project to Jake’s team.
• Where should we assign the new hire?
• During the cleanup, we will assign volunteers to different areas of the park.
• At home, my parents assign weekly chores to my siblings and me.
• The head lifeguard will assign specific zones to watch over at the beach.
• Sarah will assign seat for everyone for the dinner party.
• At the camp this weekend, I want to assign Pete the role of setting up the tent. He’s really good at it.
• The coach will assign positions to the soccer players before the match.
• I want to assign you to this department, Dave.

Assign in a sentence: shorter ones

Here are some shorter examples of assign in a sentence:

• I will assign you to class A.
• He doesn’t assign people, I do.
• Mark is going to assign me to accounting.
• Where should we assign Mr. Smith?

Related: Articulate In A Sentence: 30 Examples For Concise English

Assigned in a sentence

Now let’s look at some examples of the past tense assigned in a sentence:

• The teacher assigned us a book report, so I spent my weekend reading.
• For the class project, they assigned me to research climate change.
• He assigned a portion of his savings to invest in stocks.
• The company assigned me to the Berlin office for three months! I’m thrilled to go!
• My parents assigned me the task of walking the dog every morning.
• The hockey coach assigned positions right before the game started.
• We were assigned to different groups and had to present separately.
• The event planner assigned seating for the guests to avoid confusion.
• She assigned meaningful quotes to each chapter of her novel.
• The manager assigned the new waiter his own section on his first day.

Related: Assess In A Sentence: 30 Fantastic Examples

Sentences with assignment

We shall now check out a closely related word – assignment. This is a noun . Read and repeat these sentences with assignment to get more comfortable with them!

• For history class, our assignment is to choose a significant event and explain its impact on the world.
• At the culinary club, this week’s assignment involves creating a dish inspired by traditional French cuisine.
• The latest assignment at the office required compiling a progress report for the quarterly meeting.
• Due to the unexpected snowstorm, the science teacher posted our assignment online so we could work from home.
• In photography class, our assignment is to capture the essence of autumn in a series of five pictures.
• Before adopting a pet, the shelter gives potential owners an assignment to ensure they understand the responsibilities involved.
• As a part of my exercise routine, my trainer gave me the assignment of tracking my daily steps for a month.
• This month, our book club’s assignment is to read a novel by a Nobel Prize-winning author and discuss its themes.
• The coach’s assignment for the soccer team was to watch and analyze a professional game ahead of the championship.
• Everyone’s excited about the school’s art show, where the assignment is to create artwork reflecting our hometown’s culture.

Assign meaning

What does assign mean? How do we use it in a sentence?

It’s a verb that means to allocate or give a particular job or piece of work to someone, or to designate a particular purpose for something. It is often used in a variety of contexts, such as in professional settings, schools, and in everyday organizational tasks. When you assign something, you are essentially directing it to a person, place, team, or category.

In English, the basic word order for sentences is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). When using the verb “assign” in a sentence, this structure is followed to create a clear and grammatically correct statement. Here’s how “assign” fits into the SVO structure:

• Subject (S) : This is the person or thing that is performing the action of the verb. In the case of “assign,” the subject is the entity that is giving out an assignment or a task.
• Verb (V) : This is the action word in the sentence. “Assign” is the verb that denotes the action of allocating or designating a task or responsibility to someone or something.
• Object (O) : This is the person or thing that is receiving the action of the verb. With “assign,” the object is the entity that is being given the task or responsibility.
• Mr. Johnson (S) will assign (V) math homework (O) at the end of our class.

In sentences with an indirect object, “assign” may take on the structure of Subject-Verb-Indirect Object-Direct Object, where the indirect object is the recipient of the direct object (the task or responsibility). For example:

• Mary (S) will assign (V) seats (O, direct object) for everyone (IO, indirect object) for the meeting.

Understanding this word order is vital to formulating sentences that are clear, precisely communicating who is giving out tasks and to whom or what those tasks are being given.

Assign in a sentence: FAQs

Assign is a very common, albeit quite formal English verb. Now that we have practiced it and its other forms (past tense, noun), it would be a good time to go over some general questions about this word:

What does it mean to be on assignment?

Being on assignment means that you have been given a specific task or duty to perform, often for a fixed period of time. This phrase is commonly used in contexts such as journalism, where a reporter might be on assignment in another country, or in a professional setting where an employee is given a particular project. The focus is usually on completing a designated job or responsibility. For example,

• Lucy’s on assignment in Europe, reporting on the latest developments in sustainable energy.

What is an assigned task?

An assigned task is a particular piece of work that has been allocated to someone by a superior, teacher, or team leader. It is a defined obligation or duty one is expected to execute. This could range from daily chores to complex professional projects. For instance, “The assigned task for the students was to create a poster about the water cycle.”

Is “I was assigned” correct?

Yes, “I was assigned” is grammatically correct and is the past tense form of stating that someone had given you a particular task or responsibility. It’s used to explain that you were the recipient of an assignment at a previous time. Take a look at this example:

• I was assigned the lead role in the school play last semester.

What is the meaning of “I have been assigned”?

“I have been assigned” means that you have recently been given a specific task or responsibility and that the assignment is usually current or ongoing. It’s a form of the present perfect tense in English and suggests a connection between the past action and the present moment. It goes like this:

• I have been assigned to lead the new marketing initiative.

What is another word for “assigned by”?

Another word for “assigned by” is “designated by.” It carries the same meaning as having tasks, responsibilities, or roles designated or appointed by someone in authority. For instance, “The project was designated by the committee to a team of experienced researchers.” Other synonyms might include “allocated by” or “appointed by,” depending on the context.

Assign in a sentence: a great word for academia or business!

I hope you have enjoyed reading through all of today’s examples of assign in a sentence , as well as the sentences with assignment! The word in general is a really handy one to know – especially for English students. Why? Let’s summarize the reasons:

As English language learners, we often encounter terms that are essential in academic and professional contexts. The word “assign” is one such term that is incredibly useful for both school and work environments. By incorporating ‘assign’ into our vocabulary, we can effectively communicate about distributing tasks, responsibilities, and roles. For instance, in a classroom setting, a teacher might say, “I will assign the chapters for reading tonight,” making it clear which specific sections of the material we need to focus on. Similarly, in the workplace, a supervisor could announce, “I have assigned John to oversee the new marketing campaign,” providing clarity on team roles and expectations. Mastering the use of ‘assign’ in sentences not only enhances our English language proficiency but also enables us to participate more fully in our educational pursuits and professional endeavors.

• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Definition of assignment

task , duty , job , chore , stint , assignment mean a piece of work to be done.

task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

Examples of assignment in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assignment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

see assign entry 1

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing assignment

• self - assignment

Dictionary Entries Near assignment

Cite this entry.

“Assignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assignment. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.

Legal Definition

Legal definition of assignment, more from merriam-webster on assignment.

Nglish: Translation of assignment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of assignment for Arabic Speakers

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day, propinquity.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Plural and possessive names: a guide, 31 useful rhetorical devices, more commonly misspelled words, why does english have so many silent letters, your vs. you're: how to use them correctly, popular in wordplay, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, it's a scorcher words for the summer heat, 7 shakespearean insults to make life more interesting, birds say the darndest things, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), games & quizzes.

Use "assignment" in a sentence

Assignment example sentences.

1. Now, moving on, your assignment will be to infiltrate the structure

2. He had had the opportunity to have several made recently on assignment in Hong Kong

3. "Thanks for the update, I thank you for the lovely assignment

4. For today’s assignment have a look at the table below

5. "And you didn't mind this assignment ?"

6. "What makes you think it isn't Luray who's off on assignment ?" Their legs had wrapped around each other's by now

7. She was able to find her administrative records, of which her locker assignment was a part, but the laughter in her eyes spilled over into her voice when she saw the dates involved

8. talked about his assignment to the Guides

9. He had finished his assignment twice as fast as the others

10. I actually like the guy, not a lot, but enough that this assignment has been fairly pleasant

11. Harry plowed through the Summer Term receiving marks of Distinction for his every assignment , and the preliminary term of his Sixth Form years was passed

12. “That’s the script for the fourth assignment in Kaha’s movie club

13. on the assignment that he scheduled

14. He is here in Hong Kong for his Far East assignment

15. anymore without an assignment in front of him

16. But he already the next assignment didn’t he? One that he was not

17. His first assignment was to investigate Lao Airlines Flight 301, an ATR-72, that crashed shortly before landing at Pakse International Airport in Loas under adverse weather conditions, killing all 44 passengers and 5 crew on board

18. assignment such as this didn’t bother him

19. I have an assignment for you in Beijing to report on the war against pollution conference and then continue on to Kyiv to cover the invasion of Crimea

20. "That was my assignment

21. “Well, if you’re so sure, then take a look,” Dobber replied, disinterested with Pete’s fears and anything else that remotely related to his assignment

22. Klowa knew someone else would do a background assignment on Luray

23. "The assignment you gave us sir, to get him up and out of there before his memories could be read

24. "This is big time quarters up here," Kuthra told them once the assignment was made and they were on their way to it, "This is where they put visiting professors and research planners, or managers of large factories that the Kassikan owns, once in awhile a media person

25. Just like in this life, the best students will have a better chance of getting the best jobs in their next assignment

26. On the contrary, the whole expense of this borrowing, of employing agents to look out for people who had money to lend, of negotiating with those people, and of drawing the proper bond or assignment , must have fallen upon them, and have been so much clear loss upon the balance of their accounts

27. “Her parents were an assignment ? You mean the Hellhounds went on a wild hunt to catch them? I thought the coven killed them

28. When one of the sisters was given an assignment it was serious business, but the sisters only went on a wild hunt for the worst cases

29. Even in the monied interest, however, the money is, as it were, but the deed of assignment , which conveys from one hand to another those capitals which the owners do not care to employ themselves

30. A capital lent at interest may, in this manner, be considered as an assignment , from the lender to the borrower, of a certain considerable portion of the annual produce, upon condition that the burrower in return shall, during the continuance of the loan, annually assign to the lender a small portion, called the interest ; and, at the end of it, a portion equally considerable with that which had originally been assigned to him, called the repayment

31. Though money, either coin or paper, serves generally as the deed of assignment , both to the smaller and to the more considerable portion, it is itself altogether different from what is assigned by it

32. The deeds of assignment , like the conveyances of a verbose attorney, would be more cumbersome; but the thing assigned would be precisely the same as before, and could produce only the same effects

33. And they cherished every moment they had with him right until to the end, when he would leave on his final assignment

34. to begin the assignment

35. After Rikke dismissed her with a promise of a new assignment within a few days, she first stopped to pick up her new Legionnaire-issue armor and then made her way back to the Winking Skeever for a good night’s rest

36. The plan was to accommodate the exiles in tents here on the plain of Dura while they awaited their assignment to work as slaves with Babylonian households in the city

37. “It may be a wild goose chase but I want answers and all we're getting now is an ever-burgeoning volume of questions!” Mim and Yula were out of their depth on that assignment ; they seemed to realize it and so remained close to the Captain

38. “Ready for assignment my Captain,” she breathed in a tone devoid of any hint of doubt or uncertainty

39. But you were captured by the Naud on that very planet---Tenrith---you won't have remembered that was where you were at the time; so caught up in your surveying assignment and all

40. It’s the other half of Maro’s assignment here

41. Anyway, that was part of his assignment

42. There were a few basic facts about the first assignment on Eludi-4; nothing revealing

43. And then an instant later admonishing him for taking this assignment , when really he didn’t need the money

44. If there was one tangibly positive thing Roidon had gained from this assignment it had to be this car

45. This was his first assignment as an officer on board a whaleship, and his lay was

46. Following this short assignment , Midshipman Waddell was then

47. write much about this assignment but writes that from the Naval

48. During this assignment , he became very proficient in seamanship

49. He began that assignment as a “passed

50. Hawes was ready for his next assignment

51. ordered from his assignment at the Naval Academy to report to

52. Sometimes it has made this assignment or mortgage for a short period of time only, a year, or a few years, for example; and sometimes for perpetuity

53. They’re going on an assignment , they leave in four hours, at nine

54. By the time the CSS Georgia arrived in Cherbourg, Waddell was still waiting for news of a new assignment

55. waiting for an assignment to a fighting ship so they could enter the fight with the Yankees

56. wanted to get on with his assignment

57. 1864 of his new assignment

58. This was a massive assignment for such a rather young naval officer at forty years of age

59. They took as their doctrine a strict set of rules and guidelines know as the Temporal Directive, devising rules for minimal intervention and interference, which then had to be adapted for each assignment

60. This group put forward their intentions, theories and ideas as a serious alternative to the reformists – otherwise thought of as moderates – who were still to commence with that first assignment

61. It would be my reward for the completion of this assignment

62. The assignment had not just been designated to a select few, they all had their part to play in one way or another

63. Being couriered directly to an assignment in the Unity was much

64. He decided to haul me all over the satrapy to help with his assignment

65. With the capacity of each transport, and the roster of each regiment before him, the youngest officer could have made effective assignment and saved such dire confusion, which took two days to untangle, and entailed much sun-exposure and hardship on the soldiers

66. Spying on Sicarius? Could that be secret assignment Hollowcrest had given Amaranthe? The reason she had been in the Barracks to start with?

67. As expected his next assignment was to tie up any loose ends and get out

68. ‘You okay to go on an assignment in Pretoria for a few days?’ Rodger interrupted my thoughts as if on cue

69. After the meeting I went home alone as I had an assignment that had to be handed in by the following Tuesday

70. However, even without Egan there, the prospect of games at the camp was enough of a distraction, so much so that I could not finish the assignment

71. ‘If you want me to go over your assignment before you send it off, I’ll be finished with this in about an hour then I can do it for you

72. Her comments and suggestions were in all honesty fantastic and I amended my assignment accordingly

73. I had so hoped those few hours we had spent together with my assignment had been a turning point in our relationship and in her life

74. “My assignment had come through while I was still in the US and, yes, I suspected that some of the rumors of torture must be true, exaggerated but true

75. If he would but assure him of that same level, the assignment would be his

76. Assignment to the Caribbean coast and promotion to Comandante immediately followed

77. As it turned out, his assignment to the division came at a most opportune time: Costa Rica had recently succumbed to US pressure insisting that it expand its efforts against cocaine

78. At the time, cocaine passed through virtually unnoticed, a problem of little consequence for law enforcement, and that was perhaps the main reason he received the assignment

79. He was given an assignment unwanted by fellow detectives: partnership with the highly independent little Indian, which left him free to serve as the OIJ’s ambassador of corruption to the power brokers

80. That’s enough of an assignment for you

81. Frazer departed Costa Rica surreptitiously on official assignment before the date of the murder, and the OIJ’s cooperation in not drawing attention to his movements would be appreciated

82. He wondered whose idea of a joke had been that particular assignment

83. "Yes, I was reprogrammed to be a deathbot infiltrator and given an assignment , to locate and assist in the termination of one Kazuki Shimatani, location, the Badlands

84. At first he resented his assignment but the two had formed an unlikely bond

85. She received instead an assignment to England

86. Angry at his late night assignment , he was still half asleep

87. He explained his new assignment as a medic and asked her if, in the future, he could pick her up at 08:30 rather than 07:00, and she agreed

88. He asked, “Any chance you can get another assignment where you would need me to drive?”

89. " Joseph stepped forward wondering what his assignment would be

90. You know, if you’re interested, you could put in for a commission and an assignment to our outfit

91. There was also a typewritten list of names and addresses that Quarles suggested he memorize if he were to explain his temporary duty assignment in Paris

92. The temporary duty assignment is open-ended, ‘Until further notice

93. Colling asked to what job he would be assigned, now that he had returned, and Ferguson told him that he did not know, but that Vincent had indicated that he would personally decide Colling’s assignment within the battalion

94. I think this will be an excellent assignment for you

95. By the time Colling returned to his quarters, he felt he knew almost everything he would have to know about his new assignment

96. because you are on assignment for his brother The

97. The Polish lieutenant said something to Hermann before he rolled up his window, and as they drove past the barrier of sawhorses that the soldiers had moved aside for them, he said, “He told me I was lucky to have such an assignment , driving rich Americans around

98. The final report stated, ”Our assignment has been to look for mis-or-mal administration in the oil for

99. But she relished this assignment as driver

100. role in his assignment to Niger

Synonyms for "assignment"

"assignment" definitions.

a duty that you are assigned to perform (especially in the armed forces)

the instrument by which a claim or right or interest or property is transferred from one person to another

the act of distributing something to designated places or persons

(law) a transfer of property by deed of conveyance

an undertaking that you have been assigned to do (as by an instructor)

the act of putting a person into a non-elective position

• Top1000 word
• Top5000 word
• Conjunction
• Sentence into pic

Assignment in a sentence

• 某某   2016-01-13 联网相关的政策
• characteristic  (273+4)
• reject  (233+5)
• accuse  (158+5)
• fishing  (202+25)
• legislation  (216+25)
• hat  (296+54)
• typically  (224+14)
• solid  (258+36)
• gate  (155+30)
• secretary  (252+60)
• narrow  (224+43)
• Jew  (118+1)
• AIDS  (269+16)
• rural  (243+16)
• expose  (212+11)
• cable  (176+20)
• invest  (217+18)
• decline  (299+17)
• engineer  (192+18)
• massive  (279+40)

Assignment in a Sentence  🔊

Definition of Assignment

a particular task or duty that one is expected to complete

Examples of Assignment in a sentence

On assignment for the Washington Post, the reporter combed the city in search of information.  🔊

The student’s math assignment was too difficult, so he asked his teacher for help completing it.  🔊

Each worker in the building is giving a different assignment that he or she is expected to complete by the end of the work day.  🔊

Although Laura didn’t enjoy her latest post assignment, she didn’t regret her decision to join the military.  🔊

The state attorney was recently given the assignment of prosecuting a West Virginian serial killer.  🔊

Other words in the Active category:

Most Searched Words (with Video)

Voracious: In a Sentence

Verbose: In a Sentence

Vainglorious: In a Sentence

Pseudonym: In a Sentence

Propinquity: In a Sentence

Orotund: In a Sentence

Magnanimous: In a Sentence

Inquisitive: In a Sentence

Epoch: In a Sentence

Aberrant: In a Sentence

Apprehensive: In a Sentence

Obdurate: In a Sentence

Heresy: In a Sentence

Gambit: In a Sentence

Pneumonia: In a Sentence

Otiose: In a Sentence

Understanding Assignments

What this handout is about.

The first step in any successful college writing venture is reading the assignment. While this sounds like a simple task, it can be a tough one. This handout will help you unravel your assignment and begin to craft an effective response. Much of the following advice will involve translating typical assignment terms and practices into meaningful clues to the type of writing your instructor expects. See our short video for more tips.

Basic beginnings

Regardless of the assignment, department, or instructor, adopting these two habits will serve you well :

• Read the assignment carefully as soon as you receive it. Do not put this task off—reading the assignment at the beginning will save you time, stress, and problems later. An assignment can look pretty straightforward at first, particularly if the instructor has provided lots of information. That does not mean it will not take time and effort to complete; you may even have to learn a new skill to complete the assignment.
• Ask the instructor about anything you do not understand. Do not hesitate to approach your instructor. Instructors would prefer to set you straight before you hand the paper in. That’s also when you will find their feedback most useful.

Assignment formats

Many assignments follow a basic format. Assignments often begin with an overview of the topic, include a central verb or verbs that describe the task, and offer some additional suggestions, questions, or prompts to get you started.

An Overview of Some Kind

The instructor might set the stage with some general discussion of the subject of the assignment, introduce the topic, or remind you of something pertinent that you have discussed in class. For example:

“Throughout history, gerbils have played a key role in politics,” or “In the last few weeks of class, we have focused on the evening wear of the housefly …”

The Task of the Assignment

Pay attention; this part tells you what to do when you write the paper. Look for the key verb or verbs in the sentence. Words like analyze, summarize, or compare direct you to think about your topic in a certain way. Also pay attention to words such as how, what, when, where, and why; these words guide your attention toward specific information. (See the section in this handout titled “Key Terms” for more information.)

“Analyze the effect that gerbils had on the Russian Revolution”, or “Suggest an interpretation of housefly undergarments that differs from Darwin’s.”

Additional Material to Think about

Here you will find some questions to use as springboards as you begin to think about the topic. Instructors usually include these questions as suggestions rather than requirements. Do not feel compelled to answer every question unless the instructor asks you to do so. Pay attention to the order of the questions. Sometimes they suggest the thinking process your instructor imagines you will need to follow to begin thinking about the topic.

“You may wish to consider the differing views held by Communist gerbils vs. Monarchist gerbils, or Can there be such a thing as ‘the housefly garment industry’ or is it just a home-based craft?”

These are the instructor’s comments about writing expectations:

“Be concise”, “Write effectively”, or “Argue furiously.”

Technical Details

These instructions usually indicate format rules or guidelines.

“Your paper must be typed in Palatino font on gray paper and must not exceed 600 pages. It is due on the anniversary of Mao Tse-tung’s death.”

The assignment’s parts may not appear in exactly this order, and each part may be very long or really short. Nonetheless, being aware of this standard pattern can help you understand what your instructor wants you to do.

Interpreting the assignment

Ask yourself a few basic questions as you read and jot down the answers on the assignment sheet:

Why did your instructor ask you to do this particular task?

Who is your audience.

• What kind of evidence do you need to support your ideas?

What kind of writing style is acceptable?

• What are the absolute rules of the paper?

Try to look at the question from the point of view of the instructor. Recognize that your instructor has a reason for giving you this assignment and for giving it to you at a particular point in the semester. In every assignment, the instructor has a challenge for you. This challenge could be anything from demonstrating an ability to think clearly to demonstrating an ability to use the library. See the assignment not as a vague suggestion of what to do but as an opportunity to show that you can handle the course material as directed. Paper assignments give you more than a topic to discuss—they ask you to do something with the topic. Keep reminding yourself of that. Be careful to avoid the other extreme as well: do not read more into the assignment than what is there.

Of course, your instructor has given you an assignment so that they will be able to assess your understanding of the course material and give you an appropriate grade. But there is more to it than that. Your instructor has tried to design a learning experience of some kind. Your instructor wants you to think about something in a particular way for a particular reason. If you read the course description at the beginning of your syllabus, review the assigned readings, and consider the assignment itself, you may begin to see the plan, purpose, or approach to the subject matter that your instructor has created for you. If you still aren’t sure of the assignment’s goals, try asking the instructor. For help with this, see our handout on getting feedback .

Given your instructor’s efforts, it helps to answer the question: What is my purpose in completing this assignment? Is it to gather research from a variety of outside sources and present a coherent picture? Is it to take material I have been learning in class and apply it to a new situation? Is it to prove a point one way or another? Key words from the assignment can help you figure this out. Look for key terms in the form of active verbs that tell you what to do.

Key Terms: Finding Those Active Verbs

Here are some common key words and definitions to help you think about assignment terms:

Information words Ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why.

• define —give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning
• describe —provide details about the subject by answering question words (such as who, what, when, where, how, and why); you might also give details related to the five senses (what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell)
• explain —give reasons why or examples of how something happened
• illustrate —give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject
• summarize —briefly list the important ideas you learned about the subject
• trace —outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form
• research —gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you have found

Relation words Ask you to demonstrate how things are connected.

• compare —show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different)
• contrast —show how two or more things are dissimilar
• apply —use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation
• cause —show how one event or series of events made something else happen
• relate —show or describe the connections between things

Interpretation words Ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Do not see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation.

• assess —summarize your opinion of the subject and measure it against something
• prove, justify —give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth
• evaluate, respond —state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons
• support —give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe)
• synthesize —put two or more things together that have not been put together in class or in your readings before; do not just summarize one and then the other and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together that runs all the way through the paper
• analyze —determine how individual parts create or relate to the whole, figure out how something works, what it might mean, or why it is important
• argue —take a side and defend it with evidence against the other side

More Clues to Your Purpose As you read the assignment, think about what the teacher does in class:

• What kinds of textbooks or coursepack did your instructor choose for the course—ones that provide background information, explain theories or perspectives, or argue a point of view?
• In lecture, does your instructor ask your opinion, try to prove their point of view, or use keywords that show up again in the assignment?
• What kinds of assignments are typical in this discipline? Social science classes often expect more research. Humanities classes thrive on interpretation and analysis.
• How do the assignments, readings, and lectures work together in the course? Instructors spend time designing courses, sometimes even arguing with their peers about the most effective course materials. Figuring out the overall design to the course will help you understand what each assignment is meant to achieve.

Now, what about your reader? Most undergraduates think of their audience as the instructor. True, your instructor is a good person to keep in mind as you write. But for the purposes of a good paper, think of your audience as someone like your roommate: smart enough to understand a clear, logical argument, but not someone who already knows exactly what is going on in your particular paper. Remember, even if the instructor knows everything there is to know about your paper topic, they still have to read your paper and assess your understanding. In other words, teach the material to your reader.

Aiming a paper at your audience happens in two ways: you make decisions about the tone and the level of information you want to convey.

• Tone means the “voice” of your paper. Should you be chatty, formal, or objective? Usually you will find some happy medium—you do not want to alienate your reader by sounding condescending or superior, but you do not want to, um, like, totally wig on the man, you know? Eschew ostentatious erudition: some students think the way to sound academic is to use big words. Be careful—you can sound ridiculous, especially if you use the wrong big words.
• The level of information you use depends on who you think your audience is. If you imagine your audience as your instructor and they already know everything you have to say, you may find yourself leaving out key information that can cause your argument to be unconvincing and illogical. But you do not have to explain every single word or issue. If you are telling your roommate what happened on your favorite science fiction TV show last night, you do not say, “First a dark-haired white man of average height, wearing a suit and carrying a flashlight, walked into the room. Then a purple alien with fifteen arms and at least three eyes turned around. Then the man smiled slightly. In the background, you could hear a clock ticking. The room was fairly dark and had at least two windows that I saw.” You also do not say, “This guy found some aliens. The end.” Find some balance of useful details that support your main point.

You’ll find a much more detailed discussion of these concepts in our handout on audience .

The Grim Truth

With a few exceptions (including some lab and ethnography reports), you are probably being asked to make an argument. You must convince your audience. It is easy to forget this aim when you are researching and writing; as you become involved in your subject matter, you may become enmeshed in the details and focus on learning or simply telling the information you have found. You need to do more than just repeat what you have read. Your writing should have a point, and you should be able to say it in a sentence. Sometimes instructors call this sentence a “thesis” or a “claim.”

So, if your instructor tells you to write about some aspect of oral hygiene, you do not want to just list: “First, you brush your teeth with a soft brush and some peanut butter. Then, you floss with unwaxed, bologna-flavored string. Finally, gargle with bourbon.” Instead, you could say, “Of all the oral cleaning methods, sandblasting removes the most plaque. Therefore it should be recommended by the American Dental Association.” Or, “From an aesthetic perspective, moldy teeth can be quite charming. However, their joys are short-lived.”

Convincing the reader of your argument is the goal of academic writing. It doesn’t have to say “argument” anywhere in the assignment for you to need one. Look at the assignment and think about what kind of argument you could make about it instead of just seeing it as a checklist of information you have to present. For help with understanding the role of argument in academic writing, see our handout on argument .

What kind of evidence do you need?

There are many kinds of evidence, and what type of evidence will work for your assignment can depend on several factors–the discipline, the parameters of the assignment, and your instructor’s preference. Should you use statistics? Historical examples? Do you need to conduct your own experiment? Can you rely on personal experience? See our handout on evidence for suggestions on how to use evidence appropriately.

Make sure you are clear about this part of the assignment, because your use of evidence will be crucial in writing a successful paper. You are not just learning how to argue; you are learning how to argue with specific types of materials and ideas. Ask your instructor what counts as acceptable evidence. You can also ask a librarian for help. No matter what kind of evidence you use, be sure to cite it correctly—see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial .

You cannot always tell from the assignment just what sort of writing style your instructor expects. The instructor may be really laid back in class but still expect you to sound formal in writing. Or the instructor may be fairly formal in class and ask you to write a reflection paper where you need to use “I” and speak from your own experience.

Try to avoid false associations of a particular field with a style (“art historians like wacky creativity,” or “political scientists are boring and just give facts”) and look instead to the types of readings you have been given in class. No one expects you to write like Plato—just use the readings as a guide for what is standard or preferable to your instructor. When in doubt, ask your instructor about the level of formality they expect.

No matter what field you are writing for or what facts you are including, if you do not write so that your reader can understand your main idea, you have wasted your time. So make clarity your main goal. For specific help with style, see our handout on style .

Technical details about the assignment

The technical information you are given in an assignment always seems like the easy part. This section can actually give you lots of little hints about approaching the task. Find out if elements such as page length and citation format (see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial ) are negotiable. Some professors do not have strong preferences as long as you are consistent and fully answer the assignment. Some professors are very specific and will deduct big points for deviations.

Usually, the page length tells you something important: The instructor thinks the size of the paper is appropriate to the assignment’s parameters. In plain English, your instructor is telling you how many pages it should take for you to answer the question as fully as you are expected to. So if an assignment is two pages long, you cannot pad your paper with examples or reword your main idea several times. Hit your one point early, defend it with the clearest example, and finish quickly. If an assignment is ten pages long, you can be more complex in your main points and examples—and if you can only produce five pages for that assignment, you need to see someone for help—as soon as possible.

Tricks that don’t work

Your instructors are not fooled when you:

• spend more time on the cover page than the essay —graphics, cool binders, and cute titles are no replacement for a well-written paper.
• use huge fonts, wide margins, or extra spacing to pad the page length —these tricks are immediately obvious to the eye. Most instructors use the same word processor you do. They know what’s possible. Such tactics are especially damning when the instructor has a stack of 60 papers to grade and yours is the only one that low-flying airplane pilots could read.
• use a paper from another class that covered “sort of similar” material . Again, the instructor has a particular task for you to fulfill in the assignment that usually relates to course material and lectures. Your other paper may not cover this material, and turning in the same paper for more than one course may constitute an Honor Code violation . Ask the instructor—it can’t hurt.
• get all wacky and “creative” before you answer the question . Showing that you are able to think beyond the boundaries of a simple assignment can be good, but you must do what the assignment calls for first. Again, check with your instructor. A humorous tone can be refreshing for someone grading a stack of papers, but it will not get you a good grade if you have not fulfilled the task.

Critical reading of assignments leads to skills in other types of reading and writing. If you get good at figuring out what the real goals of assignments are, you are going to be better at understanding the goals of all of your classes and fields of study.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Make a Gift

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

writing assignment

Meanings of writing and assignment.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

(Definition of writing and assignment from the Cambridge English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

• Examples of writing assignment

Word of the Day

a very short holiday

Trial, judge, and jury: talking about what happens when a criminal is caught

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists

{{message}}

There was a problem sending your report.

• Definition of writing
• Definition of assignment
• Other collocations with assignment

How to Write a Topic Sentence? (Examples & Tips)

A topic sentence is an  important component of every well-structured paragraph . It introduces the main idea and sets the tone for the rest of the paragraph that follows.

Additionally, it is mandatory to structure introductory and supporting paragraphs for every kind of nonfiction writing, including ; essays, theses, blogs, articles, etc. So, perfecting the skill of writing strong topic sentences can be helpful to uplift your writing to the next level.

In this comprehensive blog post, we’re going to discuss useful tips and examples for writing a topic sentence.

What is a Topic Sentence?

A topic sentence refers to the first sentence of a paragraph that reflects its main points . The purpose of this sentence is to tell the readers about what information they are going to read in the rest of the paragraph. It usually comes at the start of a paragraph, though it can also be placed elsewhere.

A topic sentence is also known as;

• Introductory sentence.
• Focus sentence.
• Opening sentence.

Tips to Write a Strong Topic Sentence

Here are some useful tips to help you craft compelling topic/introductory sentences;

1. Determine the Main Idea

As aforementioned a topic sentence is solely focused on the main idea or key point of the paragraph. So, before you begin to write the focus sentence, there’s a need to identify the main idea first.

Useful Tips:

Below are some tips to help you determine the main idea of a paragraph;

• You should brainstorm the key points of a paragraph for which you’re going to craft the opening sentence. To do so, it would be helpful to jot down all the key details.
• Now, we suggest creating an outline to logically organize these points.
• Finally, narrow down to the specific idea that you think could enclose the essence of your paragraph.

2. Start With a Hook

Let’s make your topic sentence compelling. For this, the next tip is to begin the opening sentence with a hook. By hook , we refer to the compelling/interesting statement that grabs the attention of readers.

Types of Hooks that You Can Include in A Topic Sentence:

Some commonly used hook types are lisG

ed below with examples for each;

• A hook line can be a surprising fact or impressive data , like; "Did you know that just 6 minutes of reading a day can cut your stress levels by up to 68%?”
• You can use a stimulating question as a hook statement, such as; " How can a simple , regular practice elevate your creative writing to the next level?”
• You can address a solved mystery in the hook line; for example; “ What ultimately convinced the senator to change their mind?”
• Also, you can use an anecdote or quote in the hook line, for instance; " Author Stephen King once said, 'Books are a uniquely portable magic.'"

3 . Write Something New and Interesting

Include something interesting and attention-grabbing in the introductory sentence. Avoid using statements that are obvious that everyone knows. So, to craft a topic sentence, write information in a new and unique way.

Tip: Avoid casual and unnecessary words or phrases, but you are required to use compelling, interesting, powerful, and trendy terms to draw readers in.

4. Balance Between Specific & General

Ensure that your main sentence strikes a good balance between the specific/narrow and the general/broad. Don’t write the topic sentence around too broad or vague an idea that is impossible to cover in a single paragraph.

Similarly, you shouldn’t write a too narrow statement that has nothing much to say in the supporting sentences.

Instead , you should maintain a good balance and write an idea that is neither too generic nor too specific. Below is an example of such a topic sentence;

✔️ “Incorporating technology into classroom learning can enhance student engagement and understanding without overwhelming traditional teaching methods.”

Pro Tip: Also, choose a particular writing style/tone of your paragraph in the sentence; Persuasive, Informative, Descriptive, Formal, etc . You should choose this according to the overall writing style of your content.

5. Write Concise and Clear

Another effective tip that can help you write a good topic sentence is to use concise and clear wording. You should write a sentence that is succinct and to the point. Also, it should convey the main idea clearly without any jargon, complexity, or unnecessary details.

All in all, you should aim for brevity and maintain a smooth flow in your paragraph.

For Examples:

Error-free and Innovative Way to Write a Topic Sentence

Following all the above tips are sufficient to help you write a good topic sentence. However, it may consume a lot of your time and effort, especially when you’re compiling them for long-form content with several paragraphs.

Also, there is a chance that you sometimes can’t come up with an accurate, relevant, and top-notch opening sentence. In this scenario, let me introduce an efficient, automatic, and perfectly precise way of sentence writing i.e., using AI sentence-generating tools. Here, we’ve come up with a handy solution: Editpad’s AI Sentence Generator .

It works on sophisticated AI, NLP, and Large Language models to promptly generate excellent sentences. You just need to provide the main idea or keyword, select the numbers, set the writing tone, and run the tool.

The AI Sentence Generator by Editpad will take no time to come up with well-structured and relevant sentences. You can “Copy” the suitable one from the output box, and use it as a topic sentence.

A Real-time Showcase:

We provided our main keyword; “Role of Mental Health”, and below are the sentences that we got from Editpad's AI sentence generator.

Output of Editpad AI Sentence Generator:

Demonstration:

Examples of Topic Sentences for Different Paragraphs

Let’s generate topic sentences for different types of paragraphs such as; persuasive, informative, Declarative, and others;

Example1: Persuasive Topic Sentence

We provided the below main idea of a persuasive paragraph into the sentence generator, selected the “Persuasive Tone”, and operated the tool .

“The Need for Comprehensive Health Education in Schools”

Results We Got:

Pictorial Demo of the Output:

Example2: Informal Topic Sentence

“Now, let’s create the focus sentence for an informal paragraph, with the help of the AI sentence generator of Editpad.”

Here’s the Main Idea of the Paragraph;

“How Exercise Can Boost Your Mood”

Focus Sentence We Got:

Image Showing the Output:

Example3: Academic Topic Sentence

In the third example, we gave the central idea of an academic paragraph, and ran the tool after selecting “Academic Tone”.

The Central Idea:

“The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity”

Academic Focus Sentences:

Output Image:

Example4: Topic Sentence for Professional Paragraph

For the last example, we’ll create a focus sentence for a professional paragraph. For this, we provided the below given main idea, chose the Professional Tone, and operated the tool. The Editpad’s sentence generator AI tool did real-time work and provided multiple results for the professional topic sentence.

The Key Idea:

“The Importance of Effective Leadership in Organizational Success”

Output by the Sentence Generator:

Image of the Output:

A strong topic sentence is an important component for crafting well-structured paragraphs in any non-fiction writing. It introduces the main idea, sets the tone, and guides the reader. In this blog post, we comprehensively explained the manual and automatic way to write a good topic sentence. with tips and examples that will help you write. We discussed the tips and examples along the way, for your better understanding.

Related Blogs

 Aug 26, 2024

How to write a topic sentence (examples & tips)....

 Jul 24, 2024

How to write a paragraph....

 Jun 20, 2024

Chatgpt-4o vs. meta ai: who generates the best sto....

 Jun 03, 2024

Difference between chatgpt-3.5 vs chatgpt-4 vs cha....

 May 16, 2023

Difference between summarizing and paraphrasing....

 Apr 06, 2023

Mastering the art of writing with editpad & chatgp....

 Jan 31, 2023

What is paraphrasing....

 Dec 19, 2022

What is plagiarism....

• Plagiarism Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Refund Policy

Adblock Detected!

Editpad offers free tools by showing ads to visitors. Support us by disabling your ad blocker and refreshing the page or you can purchase our Premium Plan to enjoy an ad-free experience.