mary ellen haley center for academic development

Mary Ellen HaleyCenter for Academic Development

SIMILARITIES TO A TAKE-HOME ESSAYDecide on your audience and your purposeStart with a solid thesis statementProvide relevant support for your thesisWrite a scratch outline Include transitional words and expressions

for cohesion and clear organizationProofread and edit

DIFFERENCES FROM A TAKE-HOME ESSAY

More important to budget your time and watch the clock

Leave time (at least 10 minutes) to editConcentrate on getting down information

Preparation for the Essay Exam List common themes of course readings,

discussions and other materialsWith common themes in mind, predict and

list possible essay questions and topicsPractice writing some of these essays

AT THE ESSAY EXAM ITSELF:STEP ONE:Make a plan to budget your time. Stick to it!

STEP TWORead the directions, the questions and topics

carefully. Be sure you know EXACTLY what is being asked!

STEP THREELook for key words that will tell you what to write about

and how to organize the essay:Compare: Write about similaritiesContrast: Write about differencesSummarize/Sum up/Outline: Write about the main

ideas Evaluate/Critique: Write your opinion, giving the

arguments for and against the issue and why your position is stronger

Classify: Write an explanation of into which category your topic falls

Define: Write a definition- what does the topic mean?Describe: Write about the characteristics of the topic

STEP FOUREstablish your thesis statement.

STEP FIVEWrite a scratch outline.

STEP SIXWrite the essay, following the outline. Do not worry about grammar and

mechanics--- just get your ideas on paper. Use all your resources (the readings,

lectures, discussion ideas) to develop the essay.

Write one paragraph per supporting idea. Focus each paragraph with a very clear topic sentence to express the main idea of the paragraph and to focus you on the point.

STEP SEVENGo back and revise:delete ideasadd ideasmove ideas to more logical paragraphs add transitions where needed

STEP EIGHTProofread and edit for: GrammarSpellingPunctuationWord choice

This is NOT RECOMMENDED! BUDGET YOUR TIME! BUT, if you run out of time…

Take the last minute or two to outline or list the points you planned to cover. Not all professors will give you credit for this attempt, but some will.

PRACTICE PROMPTSMany people look to the famous as heroes. Think of a

famous individual who deserves this kind of idolization and one who does not. Contrast the two figures.

Define “hero.” Compare two celebrities who both deserve our

respect.Summarize the ways technology has changed your

life.Describe the most beautiful place you have ever seen.Evaluate the quality of a film you have recently seen.