Summary

Poorly worded questions for writing assignments cause problems for both the writer and the teacher/ audience. A writing question such has "Describe the top of your desk" is a poor question to ask. The question lacks important information needed to properly begin writing. Information like who is the audience, what information is needed about the desk. This question along with many others like "pretend your an animal" then become nothing more then a meaningless writing exercises for a grade. Some questions like "my hometown" are so vague that it causes problems for writing. On the opposite end a question like "comment on the following statement and do you agree or disagree with the statement," are so exact that that they restrict the writing process. Other questions like "assume you have wrecked the family car" does not tell you were to go with the work. A good question would include; the students interest in the subject, purpose of writing to the audience, the role the student takes in regards to the subject and audience, the form of discourse, and criteria for success. Without these points the question will become hard to answer due to the lack of guidance for the writer, and for the case of writing criteria, lack of guidance for the grader.