The Essay Exam

Working against the clock is difficult for everyone, but particularly so for the international student who is writing in a second language. Hence, preparing for essay examinations is extremely important to you. To be successful on an essay examination

1. You must be able to understand the question and what it asks for.

2. You must know the material you are being tested on.

3. You must be able to show your professor that you understand the material by writing clear, thoughtful answers.

How to Write for an Essay Exam

1. Study the material, paying special attention to the large topics in the course: ideas, trends, and terms that the instructor has frequently mentioned. Try to relate details, events, names of people, and dates to these larger topics. As you read through the material a second time, make a list of questions you might ask if you were the instructor. Then try to answer these questions. Know how to spell the most important words in the text.

2. Find out if the test is going to be open- or closed-book. You must be equally well-prepared for either type of test. If it is an open-book exam, be sure that you know the organization of the book well and have highlighted important ideas. You may even wish to stick tabs on the edges of particularly important pages to save you time.

3. Wear a watch to the exam. Put it on the desk in front of you so you can easily check the time. Try to relax and sleep well the night before the test. Essay questions require a clear head and alertness.

4. When you get your copy of the test, read it through to the end. Be certain you understand what is expected. Essay questions usually contain key terms that tell you what approach you should take.

Discuss Give details about the topic. Details should lead to a conclusion.

Review Summarize, usually in chronological order.

Agree/Disagree State your position on one side and support it

Analyze Break the topic into parts and explain how they work together.

Describe Give descriptive details and organize spatially or chronologically.

Interpret Explain the significance or meaning of something. A definition may be needed before you tell why it is or is not important.

Summarize List main ideas or major events.

Define Give a precise meaning and explain with synonyms, examples, or words that show opposite meanings.

Illustrate or Explain Give examples and show their relationship.

Comment or Evaluate State your position and support it with facts.You may need to discuss both sides of an issue for this question.

Prove or Defend Demonstrate the truth in an opinion that you are already given on the test.

Compare Show similarities.

Contrast Show differences.

Circle the key terms in the question to remind yourself to write to the question.

5. Plan your strategy. How much time can you give to each question? If you have a choice, which questions do you know the most about? If you have to answer all, which ones are easiest? Set aside a few minutes at the end to read over your answers.

6. Begin with the easiest question. This will get you started and build confidence for the harder ones. On the test sheet or scratch paper, quickly jot down the points you want to make. An elaborate introduction and conclusion are not necessary. Form a thesis statement to begin your answer. Use your notes for support, choosing the points that are best. Taking time for this step will help you to have an organized, logical answer.

7. Be brief, clear, and correct. Length isn’t important but putting the facts together in an organized fashion is. Use specific terms that compose the "language" of the class. Give examples and details to support your basic answer.

8. Make your answer easy for the instructor to grade. Number it to correspond with the exam question. Underline or number specific sections; for example, if the question asks for three examples, number them 1, 2, 3.

9. Proofread. Read the answer in the last five minutes to catch left-out words, misspellings, and so on. Check the questions to see if you actually wrote on the right topic.

The Timed Composition

In English classes you are often asked to write a composition in class during a thirty- or fifty-minute time span. As an international student, you may also be required to take a Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency, which sometimes includes a thirty-minute composition, or as part of your entrance exams to a college or university, you will be asked to write a sample composition.

For the timed composition you can successfully use some of the tips for writing essay exams. You should wear a watch, plan strategy, and, particularly important, save time to proofread. In addition, you can use the following hints:

1. Read the assigned topic carefully. Think about it. Follow the steps in the process of writing, even though the time is limited.

2. Generate ideas on scratch paper. Don’t stop to decide which are good and which are useless. Just write.

3. Look at the list of ideas. Circle the good ones. Add any others you think of.

4. Focus. Review your list and formulate a thesis statement.

5. Number the ideas on your list that fit your thesis. You might number them in order from least to most important, most to least, or chronologically— whatever best suits your topic. If ideas are related to each other, give them the same number. If any ideas don’t fit, cross them out.

6. Begin to write. Do not write a rough draft and expect to have time to copy it over. The draft you write should be the one you plan to hand in. If you make mistakes, erase or cross out words neatly. Leave space between lines.

7. Revise. Go back over the composition. Check clarity and organization. If you need to add details, use the space between lines and indicate additions with an arrow. Indicate a new paragraph with a proofreader’s symbol. When you’re writing against the clock, instructors won’t expect perfect papers.

8. Proofread. This is a very important part of the process. More mistakes happen when you are hurrying to meet a time limit. Correct spelling of words, add punctuation, check agreement of subject and verbs, and insert left-out words.

Part V

Reference Unit

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