THE ESSAY-TYPE EXAMINATION

1. Set up a time schedule. If six questions are to be answered in sixty minutes, allow yourself only seven minutes for each. When the time is up for one questions, stop writing and begin the next one. There will be 15 to 18 minutes remaining when the last question is completed. The incomplete answers can be completed during that time. Six incomplete answers, by the way, will usually receive more credit than three complete ones.
   

2. Read through the questions once. Answers will come to mind immediately for some questions. Write down key words, listings, etc., now when they’re fresh in mind. Otherwise these ideas may be blocked (or be unavailable) when the time comes to write the later questions. This will reduce "clutching" or panic, an anxiety, or fear which disrupts thoughts.
   

3. Before attempting to answer a question, put it in your own words. Now compare your version with the original. Do they mean the same thing? If they don’t, you have misread the question.

4. Outline the answers before writing. Whether the teacher realizes it or not, he is greatly influenced by the compactness, completeness, and clarity of an organized answer. To begin writing in the hope that the right answer will somehow turn up is time-consuming and usually futile. To know a little and to present it well, is, by and large, superior to knowing much and presenting it poorly.

5. Take time to write an introduction and summary. The introduction will consist of the main point to be made: the summary is simply a paraphrasing of the material you’ve presented. A neat bundle with a beginning and ending is very satisfying to the reader.

6. Take time at the end to reread the paper. When writing in haste we tend to:

1. Misspell words
2. Omit words and parts of words
3. Omit parts of questions
4. Miswrite dates and figures (1353 written as 1953).

7. Qualify answers when in doubt. It is better to say "Toward the end of the 19^th century" than to say "In 1894" when you can’t remember whether it’s 1864 or 1894. In many cases, the approximate time is all that is wanted; unfortunately 1894, though approximate, may be incorrect and will usually be marked accordingly.

8. Support generalizations with details and examples.

The well organized, neat-appearing paper will usually get a higher grade over a paper that is a disorganized and careless in appearance.  Examination writing is a skill and can be improved with instruction.  These steps will help in writing your next essay exam. 

KEY WORDS FOR UNDERSTANDING
ESSAY QUESTIONS

Remember to answer the question that was asked--not your own question.

ANALYZE Means to find the main ideas and show how they are related and why they are important

COMMENT ON Means to discuss, criticize, or explain its meaning as completely as possible. 

COMPARE Emphasize similarities, but differences may be mentioned.  

CONTRAST Stress differences. 

CRITICIZE Express your judgment as to the correctness or merit of the matters under consideration. 

DEFINE Make a clear statement, including all items which belong within the category you are defining but excluding all items which do not belong. 

DESCRIBE Characterize the item from several points of view. (Sometimes this question may begin with the word, "What.") 

DIAGRAM Means to make a graph, chart, or drawing. Be sure you label it and add a brief explanation if it is needed. 

DISCUSS Outline the item completely, paying special attention to organization. Present pros and cons and illustrative details. Outline the item completely, paying special attention to organization. Present pros and cons and illustrative details.

ENUMERATE Means to list. Name and list the main ideas one by one. Number items. 

EVALUATE Means to give your opinion or some expert’s opinion of the truth or importance of the concept. Tell the advantages and disadvantages.

ILLUSTRATE Means to explain or make clear by concrete examples, comparisons, or analogies. 

INTERPRET Means to give the meaning using examples and personal comments. 

JUSTIFY Prove or show the grounds for your conclusions. Try to present your evidence in a convincing form. (Sometimes, this appears as a "Why" or a "Prove" question.) 

LIST Name the items briefly, one after the other. Name the items briefly, one after the other.

OUTLINE Summarize in the form of a series of headings and subheading.