How to Answer Essay
Questions
As you consider the question, remember that your goal is not to exhaust your knowledge on the subject (spill your guts) but rather to select the proper facts to answer it, arranging them in a coherent essay. We grade mostly on content, but we also give some consideration to organization and mechanics. Besides, if your answer is disorganized and ungrammatical, then you will not communicate your content effectively. The essay requirements for this course are modest, but important. Although most quizzes are multiple-choice, some are composed of a single essay question. You are required to respond with a short essay—just a paragraph. Steps in
Writing the Essay
To construct the best possible answer, I suggest you follow these steps. 1. Read the question and be sure you know just what it asks. 2. Assemble the pertinent facts in rough notes. 3. Write a good topic sentence that answers the question in a nutshell and indicates the direction your essay is going to take, including reference to the key idea from Tocqueville. 4. Arrange the supporting facts in good order, the sentences in your paragraph developing and supporting your topic sentence. 5. Read the essay over to see that it makes sense and to make revisions in style. More
Advice About Essays
Important tip: read the secret code page
about marking exams. Look at the rubric.
One more admonition. Show respect for my advancing age by writing your essay legibly with a blue or black pen, not a pencil. |