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Back to Assignments or Home . Updated 13 March 2024 .

13 Websites To Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online (Free And Paid)

Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Calligraphy is the art of writing text with some of the highly complexed and intriguing forms. It does not only look enticing, but has a whole lot of other aspects like art, culture and much more embedded to it.

Calligraphy was considered a modern art and many civilizations saw it as one of the most advanced forms of art. You can evidently find a lot of cultures and civilizations that endorsed calligraphy.

It can be considered one of the most diverse and unified form of art that was equally popular among the different times. Not only that, you can find calligraphy in different religions, regions, cultures and much more.

No matter what font, language or writing style was followed, doing it the most beautiful way has always been the priority of people.You can find evident pieces of calligraphy in ancient artifacts, sculptures, important buildings, documents and literally anywhere possible.

Most of the important religious and political buildings can be found filled with calligraphy. From red Indians to Europeans, Muslims, Buddhists or Asian, you can find calligraphy in all forms.

There were ancient techniques, that are evolved to be the much better version of themselves but there is still a long way to relive the boom of calligraphy.

With computers making everything possible and you can get those perfect fancy fonts by clicking the keys on your keyboard, one might ask if why would you be needing calligraphy.

Well, its all about keeping the art alive and the satisfaction of doing things with your hand. Not to mention, calligraphy makes your writing style look a lot better.

If you are into calligraphy and want to learn some of the expert tricks and tips to step up your game, you can get help from these amazing websites including:

13 Websites To Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online Review

Udemy might be your first choice if you are familiar with the concept of online learning. They are undoubtedly one of the top websites over the internet that are offering online learning facilities.

Thanks to their significantly huge library, you can find courses on almost every imaginable topic in the world on this website. The website is home to millions of courses on employable skills, educational subjects, technical courses, arts & crafts and much more.

All you have to do is sign-up for a free membership on the website that will open the doors for you to get access to all these enticing courses. The website also has some unique filters that allow you to search for the right courses that will be best fit for your learning needs.

You can find a handful of courses and that is too in hundreds keeping the library of Udemy in mind on calligraphy listed on the website. These courses range from some exciting courses to beginner’s calligraphy that are for modern calligraphy techniques to some ancient Arabic calligraphy.

These courses are the right help for you to learn all you need about calligraphy and making your writings pop-out.

2) LinkedIn

LinkedIn the social media for corporates. This is an essential part of every one’s life who is in the corporate field and wants to stay up-to-date with what’s going on around them.

This uniquely interactive platforms allow you to meet the right people around the world to have the corporate connection you need, get access directly to top organizations and much more. However, that is not all.

They have a dedicated section for online learning with hundreds and thousands of courses to help you learn the employable skills that will come handing in your professional career.

Of course, calligraphy might look as an outdated subject but it is actually not out entirely. In fact, modern times and the enthusiasts for art, culture and history have innovated the subtle art of calligraphy and make it more appealing with the help of technology.

So, if you are looking to learn traditional calligraphy on pen or paper, or looking for some high-end course with cutting edge technology to get the right insight on digital calligraphy, this might be the perfect website for you.

You can find some exciting courses on digital calligraphy listed on this website. They are also offering you with an option to get a free trial for a month to understand the courses and see if narrative suits you.

Lynda.com is a platform powered by LinkedIn. It follows a unique approach of making online courses available for all who are into learning. You can find a wide range of professional and employable courses on this website that can help you land your dream job conveniently.

The website is focused on cutting the geographical boundaries and help people in the most remote areas to have their chance of learning the skills that are in-demand and can get you employed.

The website is good for everyone and has solutions for Businesses, Higher education platforms and governments to help everyone get the right edge of online learning.

The website follows a straight forward approach towards online learning and all their courses are compiled on the basis of useful information that can help you learn the right skills you want online.

There are certain courses on calligraphy listed on the website that range from digital to traditional calligraphy.

You can easily find beginner, intermediate and advanced level courses on the website to choose from according to your skill level and make it count.

4) SkillShare

This highly popular and enticing platform is another popular website for learning any skill online. The website is filled with multiple online courses that can help you get the right edge of learning and choose the best course for you.

They have an engaging subscription option that allows you to not pay for each course individually but have access to a premium membership that will unlock all the content that is listed on the website for you easily.

The feature makes it easier for you to switch between courses if you think a certain course is not working for you. This will also allow you to have your hands-on multiple courses at once if you like to learn things online.

You can find hundreds of courses listed on the website that can help you with learning calligraphy. These courses are the best way you can get to learn the fundamentals of calligraphy and making your words count.

You can get some original exclusive courses that can help you with learning calligraphy basics in as low as 10 days to some highly extensive courses with deeper insight on modern and ancient calligraphic techniques.

You are wrong if you are thinking that calligraphy is a lost art and it has no scope in the current world. Today, it has grown its value exponentially as one of the scarce arts that are being practiced in the modern times.

Reed.co.uk is keeping the tradition alive to provide the most authentic content with some of the best features online. They are well known for offering these authentic courses that are going to help you learn literally anything online.

But these courses are a great help for your career as most of the courses listed on Reed.co come with CPD points to help you grow your profile and excel in your career significantly.

The website also provides you access to dedicated portals to find jobs or for those seeking the career advice.Reed.co is offering a limited number of courses, but they are worth each penny and moment you are going to spend trying to learn from these courses.

You can find Calligraphy for beginners’ course that is for enthusiasts who are looking to get their hands in the field and want to learn calligraphy as a hobby.

There is also calligraphy diploma course listed on the website that comes with 150 CPD points and you will get the diploma upon completion as well to help you with the professional career.

6) LearnDirect

Learn Direct is the platform that might not be for you if you are into multiple courses. But this is one of the most authentic platforms when it comes to online learning.

The website is all about convenience of learning brought to your desk. It provides you with all the opportunity to learn anything at the highest academic levels at the comfort of your home.

This website has an easy to follow process to enroll with the courses. All you have to do is meet the requirements for a certain course that you want to join and you can get enrolled with most elaborative and authentic courses online.

LearnDirect is offering a 225 hours course on calligraphy that has 15 modules. This course will allow you to learn all there is out there about calligraphy.

This course contains the information from basic paper calligraphy to some highly advanced techniques of digital calligraphy that you can get your hands on. The website also offers you certification upon completion.

This is a complete online learning program for you if you are not looking for something just as a hobby. The best thing is, you can choose to either pay in full or have some installments for your learning course.

This unique website is anything like the other online learning platforms out there. It is a combination of traditional studies embedded with the interactive online learning modules.

The website is bridging the gap between traditional studies and online learning by making it possible for all to get their hands on the right information and educational value they require.

It started off as a website to help students with their academic career but has grown to be one of the biggest online learning platforms. In addition to thousands of online courses that you can find on this website, this website houses numerous micro and nano degrees as well.

They are partnered with various renowned educational institutes across the world and offering their curriculum online for students to learn efficiently. This provides everyone with an opportunity to learn from their favorite institute online and not have to worry about the geographical boundaries.

You can find some courses that can help you with the basics of wester calligraphic arts to some highly advanced courses that will also help you with getting a degree. You can find effective plans, courses, credit hours for your school on the website as well.

8) Calligraphy

This is a dedicated website devoted to help all the aspirants to learn calligraphy online. The website is in existence since 2009 and has helped thousands of students learn calligraphy ever since.

They have an engaging interface that can catch the attention of anyone and keeps you interested in the learning process. Their learning methods are most suitable for beginners and intermediates that want to learn calligraphy online.

The best part is, all of this is for free and you don’t have to pay for the learning material on website. They can also assist you getting your hands-on top-quality gear and tools that will make your calligraphy learning journey much more convenient.

The website offers you access to interactive lessons that are going to be the right help for you if you are looking to learn basics of calligraphy for personal satisfaction of that art craving.

You can learn easily how to create your personal alphabets, headers, have the liberty to play with some exciting fonts and much more.

The fun doesn’t end here and if you have signed up for a membership on this website, you can get guidance and feedback on your work for indefinite time.

9) Calligrascape

This is another dedicated website that offers learning online for free. If you want to learn calligraphy from the experts and don’t want to put a dent on your wallet, this might be the best opportunity for you.

This website offers an interesting one-page interface that has all that you need to learn about calligraphy. You can have access to videos with calligraphy lessons that pretty much cover everything from the basic to advanced calligraphic lessons.

You can also get your hands on the top insight from the expert in the form of words that will make the whole learning process even more comprehensive.

Along with all those videos and guidance on the website that is available to access for all, you can also find some resources on the website listed that will be an additional help to your learning journey.

These resources include the insight on tools used by the top experts.You can also get your hands on the best paper you can use for calligraphy and also some of the nibs that are suitable for different styles of calligraphy you are looking to learn.

The website also has a store from where you can source all these products and add value to not only your learning but have the right dedication and tools reflect in your work as well.

10) LHCalligraphy

This website is a complete package of help for anyone who is looking to get their hands on a complete online learning platform that can be their guidance for the best calligraphic lessons.

Well, you don’t need to tire yourself more over it. This website got all you looking for. You can sign for their newsletter as well that will allow you to receive regular updates about the calligraphic world.

Not only that, the website also has a store dedicated to calligraphic supplies that are of top-quality and will help you getting the cherry on top of your talent.

Coming to the lessons, the website is a combination of teal pink with white that makes your artistic senses feel alive and you know that you are at the right place if you are looking for something creative, artistic that is out of the box.

You can find a number of courses to choose from that includes flourishing foundations to help you with the basics, calligraphy practice plans to help you keep your fluids going and much more.

There is a wedding calligraphy section on the website that can help you learn the art of handwritten calligraphy for exquisite luxury looking invitations and much more.

11) LearnBrit

This is another website that is focused on home made arts & crafts. The website is your right dose of artistic ventures as it allows you to learn multiple courses at once place.

There is a long list of courses being offered on the website that include Home, food, beauty, fashion and more. You can also get some cool courses on illustration, lettering, photography, design fiber arts and other classes with the relevant topics.

Not to mention, they have some great calligraphic courses listed for you as well.Calligraphy has a scope fare wider than a pen and paper and it has been evident across the human history.

Calligraphy has been used on utensils, monuments, buildings and many other places of significance throughout the known history of developed civilizations.

Although, modern times have changed and it feels outdated to have calligraphy over a building but it opens a whole range off new doors of possibilities for you.

This might be the perfect place for you if you are looking to learn calligraphy and a whole lot of non-traditional applications like calligraphy on cakes, dressing, or creating hand-made cards for your loved ones.

12) TakeLessons

We have been looking at and reviewing the most websites so far with pre-recorded video lessons and written resources that can help you learn calligraphy.

These courses generally target a wide range of students that have different goals set for their learning journey. If you take your learning seriously and want to have better guidance, insight and knowledge of calligraphy, those might not be the most perfect options for you.

Take Lessons is the next leap in the world of online learning as it allows you to get the guidance from some of the highly expert and experienced teachers online.

This way, you don’t have to feel stuck if you cannot grab a particular concept with those pre-recorded videos. Take Lessons have multiple online teachers listed that can help you learn calligraphy with one-on-one sessions.

This is worth each penny being paid for as you will be paying for the time you will spend with these teachers learning the calligraphy.

These teachers can guide you with the basics, help you improve your skills and rectify your mistakes that you might be making in the real time and that too online.

13) CenterOfExcellence

Center of excellence is a UK based website and looks royal by the first impression of their website. They are rated highly over multiple online rating platforms for their over the edge learning programs and a wide range of non-traditional courses that are not being offered by any other website.

The website allows you to get yourself enrolled with any course you might want and get access to it right away. The best part is they focus on dedicating their resources and knowledge to one course and have singular courses on any topic you might want.

You can get the right calligraphy diploma course on this website that has 150 hours of study and 10 modules. This way, you can learn calligraphy at your own preferred pace and the most perfect way.

With each course description, you can find a detailed insight on what you will learn with each module and who can benefit from these courses. You can also get an elaborative insight on the possibilities that this course is going to unlock for you.

The website offers you with choice to pay once, or have the courses financed for you as well. Each course on the website is accredited with CPD and you will earn 150 CPD on completion of calligraphy course with them.

Choosing The Best Calligraphy Lesson Online

Calligraphy has left imprints on our world that are not easy to neglect. You can find calligraphy’s impacts over most civilizations that hit their boom and had a thing for arts. Calligraphy is still believed to be an advanced form of arts that is not easy to master.

However, if you are willing to learn calligraphy online, no matter what your goals are, these websites can help you. Whether you are looking to improve your hand writing, create exciting hand-made cards or learn digital calligraphy to land your next job, these websites can help you do that.

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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 he or she 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 her 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, he or she still has 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 she already knows 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 she or he expects.

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

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