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Instead of "homework"...?

by marciayudkin
9 replies
Hi everyone,

I'm working on the writeup for a class I'll be offering in 2015, and it includes homework assignments between class meetings.

That is, they have a task and need to complete the task and send it to me prior to the next class. I make sure they are on track and redirect them if needed.

However, I am not sure I want to use the word "homework" as it has negative connotations for people who didn't like school.

I haven't taken that many courses myself in recent years, and maybe those of you who have have run across a more pleasant word in common use to replace "homework."

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Marcia Yudkin
#homework
  • Profile picture of the author Jack Sarlo
    Maybe:

    training assignments
    practice assignments
    course assignments

    You can play around a bit with a thesaurus http://www.thesaurus.com
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  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    Exercises?
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      I use the word "assignment" in sales copy for my training.

      That said, if your target group is made up of people who enjoy learning and aren't afraid of work, the actual word you use doesn't make a difference. In fact, the word "homework" is thought of as cute or folksy by some.

      Alex
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    • Profile picture of the author perryny
      I think "homework" is the correct word to use.

      I hated school and rarely did my homework.

      So now, many years later if I decided to voluntarily throw myself back into that environment (and now I'm paying real money for it), I would do so with the intention of being a better student and would plan to do the homework I expect will be required.

      I'd specifically expect doing the homework will keep me on track and help me to be a better student - and therefore I'd welcome it. It definitely has a negative connotation for me, but I'd welcome it.
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      • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
        More important than "homework" Marcia,
        I think pre-framing it with the alternatives
        as being negative, therefore "homework"
        or another word for it, becomes the only choice.

        Best,
        Doctor E.Vile
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  • Profile picture of the author CopyMonster
    Or just plain "task"?
    Or "practicum" if you want to sound serious.

    If you want to "sex" it up a little, you can always pull from other disciplines eg. sparring, drill, kata (Kata - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) - Word-Sparring, Headline Drill, Curiosity Kata

    Or to get away from the whole "work", "effort" frame, work in the words like "play", "game", "puzzle" or similar. Either create your own or pick one that fits eg. Weekly Word-Plays, Headline Play, Bullet Puzzle

    Or you can bring a challenge, competitive element to it (it doesn't necessarily mean participants compete against each other). Word-Off, Weekly Word Challenge

    So many ways.
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    Scary good...
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
    If the classes are ways for people to excel in their career (or life,) go the "invest in yourself; never stop learning or discovering new skills" route.

    And yeah...

    Learning isn't a bad word - if you want to position yourself in front of people willing to put in the hard work to transform themselves... and their lives... in some way, shape or form.

    You also want to make sure the people who DO sign up are you ideal student, which means, they need to have a healthy relationship with the work or tasks you give them.

    mark
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    If the participants are serious about the "course" they probably won't mind too much which word you use.

    But…

    Homework, Assignments, Exercises...

    All carry a potential "sting" ("dammit... she means "work" - is what they might be thinking).

    So use a softening word beforehand.

    Enjoyable, Fun, Easy but so Effective, Entertaining, Enlightening, Empowering…

    With the big benefit they'll get by doing it.


    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      Thank you, everyone, for the helpful input. I am definitely clearer now.

      It's a naming course, and for those taking the course to come up with their perfect name and tag line combination, the benefit of the assignments is that each takes them step by step closer to their goal, while saving them money from not having to hire an expensive consultant.

      For those taking the course to learn how to generate names/tag lines for clients, they can view the assignments as learning exercises that give them supervised practice they can't get anywhere outside of an ad agency or naming consultancy.

      Either way, I think the words "homework" and "weekly assignments" are fine for the target audiences as long as it's clear what the benefit is.

      Marcia Yudkin
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