14  R.A.D. C.A.T.

Read All Directions, Complete All Tasks

This is the CIS department’s guide to following instructions for any assignment.

For your course, be aware of the various places that you might find information about expectations for completing and submitting assignments:

14.1 Let’s get started

  1. Before beginning, when planning your work, have you…
  • outlined the complete set of tasks and any intermediate deadlines for those tasks as well as any task dependencies—items you need to complete and possibly have approved before you can start or complete other tasks?
  • created any accounts you will need at external systems and confirmed that you can log into those accounts?
  • determined where you will save your files and developed a plan for accessing those files from whatever computer(s) you’ll be using?
  • noted any explanations, justifications, or documentation that must be provided?
  • reviewed expectations for citing sources, collaboration, or use of generative AI?
  • identified any instructions about specific techniques you should be using?
  • identified any instructions about specific techniques you should not be using?
  • developed a personal schedule for doing the work which accounts for potentially getting stuck and needing help from your professor or PAL?
  1. Before completing your work, have you…
  • reviewed it to ensure it meets all of the assignment expectations you identified?
  • tested any code in multiple contexts/on multiple inputs?
  • reflected on your design choices?
  • proofread any written content for spelling, grammar, and clarity?
  • considered visiting the Writing Center for help revising your text?
  1. Before submitting your work, have you checked for details about…
  • where to include your name?
  • what filename(s) to use?
  • what file type(s) to use?
  • length or size expectations for the assignment?
  • where/how to submit your assignment?
  • the assignment deadline and any late policies?

[Image credit: Vinayakvel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]