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Goals of Essay Questions:
A.
To reveal one's ability to make valid generalizations and to support them
with sound evidence.
B. To apply broad principles to a series of instances.
C. Short essay questions test one's ability to produce accurate explanations
supported by facts. These usually consist of one or two well organized
paragraphs.
Preparing for an Essay Test:
Get
a sense of the type of questions the teacher usually gives.
2. Try to get an idea of the general area that will be covered. For example,
study the major concepts, issues, and ideas discussed in class.
3. Mentally test yourself. What major concepts and relationships were
covered? Now what details support these?
4. Be able to write a concise outline, covering
the material.
5. Be familiar with the vocabulary used in the class. Be able to understand
concepts and use appropriate terms.
6. Read the question carefully and be sure you know what it is asking you.
Is the teacher asking you to:
Compare: You should be examining
characteristics in order to demonstrate similarities between two
things.
Contrast: You should be stressing the differences or unlikeness
of associated things.
Criticize: You should express your judgment with respect to
the merit of the factors under consideration. You should discuss both
limitations and good points.
Define: Definitions call for concise, clear, meanings. Details
are seldom required.
Discuss: Directs you to examine, analyze, and present consideration, pro
and con, regarding the problem
involved. This type pf questions requires a complete and
detailed answer.
Illustrate: A question which asks you to illustrate usually requires
that you explain or clarify your answer by
presenting a diagram, drawing, or a concrete example.
Evaluate: You are expected to present a clear appraisal,
stressing both advantages and disadvantages. Evaluation
implies personal opinion/appraisal.
Checklist for Essay Tests:
1.
Do I really understand what the question asks me to do?
2. Does the first sentence of my answer repeat the question and forcefully
show the reader how I will develop my answer?
3. Have I done a preliminary planning of my major points (such as an
outline)?
4. Do major points stand out?
5. Are my major points supported with examples and facts?
6. Are there clear transitions between my major points?
7. Would someone who had not taken this class be able to understand the
concept I am discussing?
8. Have I completely covered all major points needed to answer the question?
9. Did I stick to the question?
10. Have I concluded with a summary statement?
11. Did I proofread for misspelled words, sentence fragments, run-on
sentences, and other errors?
12. Is my handwriting legible?
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