1.      In answering essay questions, spend more time in thinking and less in writing.  Accuracy in answering the question is far more important than quantity of words. 

2.      Plan your time well!  Keep in mind how much time is allotted for the exam; make sure you answer all of the questions, and leave time to look over your responses. 

3.      In essay questions, much depends on the way you organize your answers.  Answers presented in a muddled (disorganized) manner may indicate muddled thinking.  Jot down the points you wish to make in a pre-write, then present them in a systematic way as you write a rough draft. 

4.      When possible, start your answer to a question by restating the question or a part of it, and write a strong thesis.  This will serve to keep you on the right track.   

5.      Support your main points with pertinent details and examples. 

6.      When concluding, summarize your main points and reword your thesis. 

7.      When you have finished writing your rough draft, reread your paper. 

a.       Look to make sure you have answered all parts of the question; add any needed additional information. 

b.      Make sure that your answer is logically organized.

c.       Look for spelling and/or grammatical errors – use whatever resources are available!

d.      Rewrite your essay, incorporating the corrections you made. 

8.  Your ability to write good answers to essay questions depends in part on your exact understanding of important words used in the questions and directions.  It is not enough that you give answers showing knowledge of the subject matter; you must give precise knowledge which directly answers the question being asked.  For example, if you are asked to criticize a paper, you are not answering the question if you only describe it. 

The words below are often found in essay questions.  Learning their meanings can help you give better answers in essay examinations (or just in writing an essay). 

Analyze - suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships <analyzed the problem of the trade deficit>. 

Compare – Bring out points which are similar or alike, and points which are different. 

Contrast – Point out differences. 

Critical Thinking - exercising or involving careful judgment or evaluation; may also imply an effort to see a thing clearly and truly in order to judge it fairly <a critical essay>. 

Criticize – Give approval or disapproval of points or ideas according to your opinion. 

Define – Give meaning of ; make meaning clear, distinct, and precise 

Describe – Give a word picture using describing words such as adjectives and adverbs; give an account of; tell about 

Discuss – Give different points of view; consider from various angles 

Enumerate – List; name each, tell about one after another 

Evaluate – Give opinion regarding the value of; give good and bad points; appraise 

Explain – Make clear; tell “how” to do; give the meaning of; make plain 

Illustrate – Make clear by use of examples, chart, diagram, or word picture 

Interpret – Tell the meaning of; translate; make plain by giving your thoughts on a particular point or idea 

Justify – Give good reasons for; present evidence or facts to support your opinion or judgment 

Organize – give LOGICAL order to your thoughts, words, or sentences;  to form into a coherent unity or functioning whole : <trying to organize her thoughts> 

Organization – the form used; the condition or manner of being organized           

Ways of Organizing Content 

Chronological – Discusses events in time order.

Ex. When attempting to persuade your boss to implement a new process at work, you could list events or problems (in the order that they occurred) that show why a new process is necessary. 

Known to Unknown or Simple to Complex – Leads readers from what is familiar to them or easy to understand, to what might not already be known or understood. 

Ex.  When trying to persuade a friend that the “theater of the absurd” not only makes sense, but that it follows rigid rules, it might be best to first identify the rules of regular theater and then to relate the rules for the theater of the absurd. 

Comparison and Contrast – Identifies the similarities and differences between two groups or ideas.  There are two ways of organizing within this type:  point by point or item by item order. 

Point by point deals with one aspect of the topic at a time, showing comparison and contrast before moving on to another element of similarity or difference.  This method is a great way to show the reader the relationships within your topic.

Ex.  If you are trying to persuade your parents to let you go away on Spring Break (without them) you might tell them all the good things about the place you want to go versus the bad thins about staying home, then you might discuss (if you were really creative) all the things you would learn while you were on Spring Break if they let you go versus learning nothing by staying at home….   

Item by item  - lists or presents all the material about one subject before moving on to all of the material about the second subject.

Ex.  Same situation, but you tell your parents all the bad things about staying home and then all the good things about going away. 

General to Particular – Begins with a fairly broad idea and then arranges the remaining information as a series of specific supporting points. 

Particular to General – Presents a series of specific pieces of information which bring the reader to a generalization. 

Problem to Solution – Presents a problem (or identifies it), explains the various aspects of it, and then suggests solutions to it. 

Cause to Effect or Effect to Cause – Begins with a situation and identifies its causes or its effects. 

Prove – Show or demonstrate reasons for; give facts to establish proof 

Reflect -  to explore your thoughts and to consider an occasion or piece of writing from different angles. 

Summarize – Tell the main points briefly 

Trace – Follow the course or trail of; give development or description of, step by step