PREPARING FOR

AN ESSAY EXAM

How to write an effective essay exam: Read through all the questions carefully.

Budget your time and decide which question (s) you will answer first.

Underline the key word (s) which tell you what to do for each question.

Choose an organizational pattern appropriate for each key word and plan your answers on scratch paper or in the margins. (See Specific Organizational Patterns below)

Begin each answer with a thesis which summarizes your answer. If possible, phrase the statement so that it rephrases the question's essential terms into a statement.

Write your answers as quickly and as legibly as you can the first time so that you do not waste time to recopy later.

Support your thesis with specific references to the material you have studied.

Proofread your answer and correct errors in spelling and mechanics.

1. Analyze the question:

Subject matter or topic. Aspect or focus.

Instruction or comment.

To analyze a question, follow the following steps:

a. Identify the topic.

b. If the topic has a restriction or expansion, identify it.

c. Search for the aspect. This is the angle or point of view on the subject matter. Often, the aspect is a phrase ending in 'of', e.g. 'the importance of', 'the contribution of'.

d. Identify the instruction (which often comes at the beginning) and decide what it means and what it requires you to do.

Analyze the changes in US policy towards Iraq during the 1990’s. instruction aspect topic restriction

2. Plan out your answer before you start writing

Before you begin writing, spend five minutes making a brief outline to organize your thoughts.

Then rephrase the question into a thesis as in the following example:

Instruction: Explain three effects that the war in Iraq had on Turkey.

Topic Sentence : “The Iraq War had three major effects on Turkey.”

3. Convey your ideas in an organized manner.

-State the key points to your answer clearly,

-Do not write anything irrelevant.

4. Support your answer with examples from class lectures and reading.

Some instructors and styles of tests require detailed descriptions of examples that were discussed in class.

SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS

There are six most common organizational patterns for essay exams:

1. Definition,

2. Classification,

3. Cause and effect,

4. Comparison and contrast,

5. Process analysis,

6. Argumentation.

1. DEFINITION Typical questions “Define ….” “What is a (n) …?” “What does … mean?” “What is meant by …?” “How does … define …?” Example Q: “What is a termite?” A: A termite is an antlike social insect that feeds on wood. term broad category distinguishing

feature(s)

2. DIVISION AND CLASSIFICATION

Typical questions “Analyze …..” “What are the components of …?” “What are the five different kinds of …?” “Discuss the different types of ….” “What types of/kinds of …?” “Classify …” “Discuss the most important features of …”

Example: Q: “Discuss the different services a junior college offers a

community.” A: TS: A junior college offers the community at least three main

types of educational services: vocational education for young people, continuing education for older people, and personal development for all individuals.

Outline for supporting details and examples:-Vocational education-Continuing education-Personal development

3. CAUSE AND EFFECTTypical questions: “What led to …?” “Why did … occur?” “Why does … happen?” “What are/were the causes of …?” “What are/were the effects of …?” “What factors contributed to …?” “What is the effect of …?” “What have been the results/consequences of …?” “What are the implications of …?” “Discuss the reasons for…” “To what extent is … true?” (This type of question requires an

answer that discusses and explains in what ways … is true and in what ways … is not true.)

Example 1 Q: “Define recession and discuss the probable effects a recession

would have on today's society.”A: Thesis: A recession, which is a nationwide lull in business activity,

would be detrimental to society in the following ways: it would .......A......., it would .......B......., and it would .......C........

The rest of the answer would explain, in some detail, the three effects: A, B, and C.

Example 2Q: What are the effects of being the only child?A: Being the only child of a family results in ….A…., …B…., and …C…

4. COMPARE AND CONTRASTTypical questions:

“How does X differ from Y?”“Compare X and Y.”“What are the advantages and disadvantages of X and Y?”“Compare … to …”“Contrast … with …”“Discuss the advantages of … over …”“What are the advantages/disadvantages of …?” “What are the major differences/similarities between … and …?”

Example:

Q: “Which would you rather own--a compact car or a full-sized car?”

A: Thesis: I would own a compact car rather than a full-sized car for the following reasons: .......A..., B..., C......., and .......D........

5. PROCESS ANALYSIS

Typical questions

“How does …X… work?”

“Explain the process by which … X…”

“Trace the developments of … X…”

“Describe how … X… is accomplished.”

“List the steps involved in … X….”

“Explain what happened in … X….”

“What is the procedure involved in …X…?”

This type of essay involves giving directions or telling the reader how to do something. It may involve discussing some complex procedure as a series of clear steps. The organization is almost always chronological.

Example Q: “What is the best procedure for finding a job according to Richard Bolles'

book called ‘What Color Is Your Parachute?’”

A: In ‘What Color Is Your Parachute?’, Richard Bolles lists seven steps that all job-hunters should follow: .....A....., .....B....., .....C....., .....D....., .....E....., .....F....., and .....G..... .

The remainder of the answer should discuss each of these seven steps.

6. ARGUMENTATIONTypical questions:

“Discuss ….” “A noted authority has said …. Do you agree or disagree?” “Defend or refute ….”“Do you think that … is valid? Defend your position.” Thesis and support involves stating a clearly worded opinion or

interpretation and then defending it with data, examples, facts etc. which you can draw from the material you have studied.

6. ARGUMENTATIONExample: Q: Defend or refute the following statement: “Television is useful because it helps in the socializing process of

our children.” A: Television hinders rather than helps in the socializing process of

our children because .......A..., B......., and .......C........ The rest of the answer is devoted to developing arguments A, B,

and C.

A MINI-DICTIONARY of ESSAY EXAM INSTRUCTIONS

ACCOUNT FOR: When you are asked to account for something, you need to give an answer that gives the reasons for the subject of the question.

ANALYZE: When you are asked to analyze, you must separate a thing or idea into its parts to explain their relationship to each other.

CLARIFY/ELUCIDATE: This requires an answer that explains what

something means, makes it clear (lucid).

COMMENT: When you're asked to comment, you should explore the importance and meaning of something, or write a note of explanation, or write a criticism or example of something written or said. You may also write a remark or make a critical observation or express your opinion.

COMPARE: Here, you must look for similarities. The term compare is usually stated as compare with, and it means that you are to emphasize similarities, although differences may be mentioned.

CONSIDER: This requires an answer in which you describe and give your thoughts on the subject.

CONTRAST: Show the differences between two or more topics.

CRITIQUE/CRITICIZE: This requires an answer that points out mistakes or weaknesses, and that also indicates any favorable aspects of the subject of the question. Express your opinion with respect to the correctness or merits of the factors under consideration. Give the results of your own analysis and discuss the limitations and good points or contributions of the plan or work in question.

DEFINE: When asked to define something, your definition must contain concise, clear, and authoritative meanings. Details are not required, but boundaries or limitations of the definition should be given. Keep in mind the group/class/category to which a thing belongs and whatever differentiates the particular object from all others in the group/class/category.

DIAGRAM: You must draw a chart, a plan or a graphic representation in your answer. You may be expected to label the diagram or add a brief explanation or description.

DISCUSS: Examine the topic, analyze it carefully and then present detailed considerations pro and con regarding the problems or items involved. This type of essay question is very common.

EVALUATE/ASSESS: Present a careful analysis of the problem, and stress both the advantages and limitations. Evaluation means an authoritative and personal appraisal of both contributions and limitations. Give an answer that decides and explains how great, valuable or important something is. The judgment should be backed by a discussion of the evidence or reasoning involved.

EXPLAIN: This requires an answer that offers an explanation of an idea, a principle, or a set of reasons for a situation or an attitude. State the “how” or “why,” explain differences of opinion or results.

EXPLORE: This requires an answer that examines the subject thoroughly and considers it from a variety of viewpoints.

ILLUSTRATE/EXEMPLIFY: This requires an answer that consists mainly of examples to demonstrate or prove the subject of the

question. It is often added to another instruction.

INTERPRET: Comment on a subject, giving your judgment about it.

LIST, ENUMERATE: Write an itemized list, series or tabulation. Be concise.

JUSTIFY: This requires an answer that gives only the reasons for a position or argument. Answer the main objections likely to be made of them. Note, however, that the proposition to be argued may be a negative one (e.g. Justify the abolition of the death penalty.)

OUTLINE: Give the main points and essential supplementary materials. Leave out the minor details and present the information in a clear systematic arrangement or classification.

PROVE/DISPROVE: Both of these require answers that demonstrate the logical arguments and/or evidence connected with a proposition: prove requires the 'pro' points, and disprove requires the 'con' points.

RELATE: Show the connection between the things mentioned in the question. Note that this does not mean to compare, so if you are asked to relate the American and French revolutions, you are not to compare them but to show how one influenced the other.

REVIEW: Provide a summary, usually a critical one. A review usually implies commenting on important aspects of the question.

STATE: It requires an answer that expresses the relevant points briefly and clearly without lengthy discussion or minor details.

SUMMARIZE: Give the main points or facts in condensed form.

Brief examples can help make your summary more specific.

TRACE: It requires the statement and brief description in logical or chronological order of the stages (steps) in the development of e.g. a theory, a person's life, a process, etc.

Describe the progress of some historical event or, where appropriate,

describe the causes of an event.

Other Important Vocabulary Items That May Be Used in Questions

concept: an important idea concise: short, brief in the context of: referring to, inside the subject of criteria: what standards you would expect; what questions you

would expect to be answered

deduction: the conclusion or generalization you come to after looking carefully at all the facts

factor(s): the circumstances bringing about a result

function: what something does, its purpose or activities

implications: results that are not obvious, long term, suggested results, consequences

limitations/boundaries/shortcomings (of something): explain where something is not useful or not relevant

with/by reference to: make sure you write about the following subject

in relation to: only a certain part of the first topic is needed

role: what part something plays, how it works, especially in co-operation with others

scope: the area where something acts or has influence

significance: meaning and importance

valid/validity: is there evidence and are there facts to prove the statement?

TO SUM UP, a well written answer to an essay question is:

Well Focused

Well Organized

Well Supported

Task 1/1Analyze the following questions: (i.e. What are the topic, instruction, aspect, and restriction/expansion?)

1. Discuss economies of scale.

2. Discuss the implications of the Milgram and Zimbardo experiments for understanding people's behavior in situations involving authority.

3. Analyze the process of transition from a command economy to a market economy, drawing upon the many recent examples.

4. Define Administrative Law indicating its general scope and function.

5. To what extent does the Turkish public participate in the political process?

Task 1/2Analyze the following questions: (i.e. What are the topic, instruction, aspect, and restriction/expansion?)

6. Some men seem unwilling to do what they consider women’s work. Explain possible reasons for this unwillingness.

7. Explain each of the four key social and economic roles that businesses serve.

8. Compare and contrast a joint venture to a strategic alliance.

9. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of trading blocs.

10. Explain the factors which make international business a challenge.

Task 2 Look at the example below. Do the same for the following

questions. Example:

Q: “How did Freud divide the human psyche?”a. Write a thesis statement. TS: Freud divided human psyche into three parts: the id, the ego, and

the superego.

b. What do you think the student should write next? Explain the id, the ego, and the superego in separate body paragraphs.

c. What organizational pattern should this essay follow? Classification

1. What are the three basic types of franchises? (They are product, manufacturing, and business-format franchises)

2. What is market segmentation? (It is the process of dividing a market into homogenous groups in order to identify potential customers and to devise marketing approaches geared to their needs and interests)

3. What are the six steps of the strategic planning process? (1.develop a clear vision, 2.create a mission statement, 3. develop forecasts, 4. analyze competition, 5. establish goals and objectives, 6. develop action plans)

4. What are the different types of departmentalization? (Functional, matrix, division, virtual)

5. What are the key tasks involved in designing a production process? (Prepare production forecasts, plan for capacity, determine facility location, design facility layout, and develop a master production schedule)

6. What seems to be the source of aggression in human beings?

7. What is meant by the term nonverbal communication? Give some examples of different types of nonverbal communication.

8. Should life be sustained artificially?

9. What types of problems is Turkey facing right now? (Social, political, and economic) Which one is the most difficult to solve? Why?

10. Do arranged marriages have any place in modern societies?