A strong component of academic writing that all writers must understand is the difference between subject, topic, and thesis. Knowing the difference between these three terms will help you create a strong argument for your paper. This handout is designed to help inform you about these three distinct introductory elements, and it will also help you transition from deciding on a subject you are writing about, to the essay’s topic, and finally to your overall thesis.
When reviewing an assignment sheet or a prompt for a class, many students can feel overwhelmed by the amount of information or misinterpret the instructor’s expectations. This handout is designed to help you navigate some of the finer points of reviewing a prompt to ensure you are understanding all the expectations for that assignment. Below is an example of an annotated prompt by a student who identified important points of the prompt. On the next page, we have also included a sample checklist developed from the prompt, which can help you keep track of the assignment expectations.
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Faculty are encouraged to add the following description of The Learning Hub into course syllabi. If your syllabus currently contains information about The Hub, please make sure it is accurate per the information below (Note: This replaces any descriptions using our former name, the Center for Teaching and Learning [CTL]).
We have prepared answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions from students, faculty and parents. We hope you find these answers helpful. If you need more information, contact us at (217) 206-7471 or advising@uis.edu.