When
answering an essay question it is important that before you start writing
you
know exactly what the question is asking, so as to be able to answer it
appropriately. I read a lot of essays that are either: too descriptive,
answer another question, start by answering the question and then move off
target, provide a thorough background to all the issues raised by the
question but never actually answer it. This is always difficult for me to see
because their authors have spent a lot of time and effort in the research and
writing, being let down only by the failure to fully understand the question.
There
are a number of methods for analysing questions that I will recommend to you
here. Some of them only work for certain question types (or certain students)
but most of them have been useful to me at one time or another:
1.
Rewrite the question: Begin “This question is
asking me to . . .”, use your own words to complete (translate into your own
language if you prefer) and then use this for writing your plan (Planning) and as a check as you write the essay.
2.
Write out the question and: highlight ‘topic’ words to help you recognise the
content required in the essay – list the sources you might use to answer and
summarise your existing knowledge (briefly); highlight ‘restricting’
words so you know where the limits lie in relation to the topic – this should
insure against going off on a tangent; highlight/underline the instruction
words (discuss (Discuss), identify, examine, evaluate, explain, analyse,
compare, contrast, criticise etc.) – check you know what
each of these requires you to do (see future posts on this blogspot) and
be aware that questions that are not specific may: imply the need for a
comparison and /or contrast; ask for cause and/or effect relationships to be
exposed; imply that an opinion needs to be given; imply the need for
evaluation;
3.
Be aware that questions may involve more than one
task, meaning that you will need to separate the question into sections and
respond to each one;
4.
When you have time, visit the library and look at
questions on past exam papers to practice your analytical abilities.
Once
you have analysed your question to your satisfaction this forms the basis of
your plan and introduction (and eventually your conclusion). The notes you have
made for point 1. combined with your restricted topic summary point
2. will need minimal rewriting and becomes your introduction – it will
be an introduction to an essay that answers the question!
Nice sharing
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