Writing for

Essay Tests

Increasing your

Testing Success

Topics• Preparing• Step-by-Step Process–Getting Started• Figuring out the Question• Planning

–Implementing the Plan–Revising and Editing

Preparing• Do you already know the

topic? –Create and Study an

Outline–Address the Question–Write a Practice Essay–Get Feedback

• Do you not know the topic? –Pick Several Likely Topics–Create and Study

Outlines for Each–Write a Practice Essay on

the Most Likely–Get Feedback

Preparing

Getting Started• Figure Out the Question…–Carefully Read the

Question/Prompt–Underline Each Part of the

Question/Prompt–Underline Key Words–Decide What Is Being Asked

• Once you know the Question(s) … Plan. –Create an Outline in the

margin or on extra paper–Develop a Thesis–Include the Key Terms–Address the Question(s)

Getting Started

Implementing the Plan

• In your Thesis, Address the Question Directly• State the Thesis Up Front• Follow your Outline• Don’t Worry About

Perfection, Just Finishing• Include Key Terms

• Time Management … –More Points = More Time–Harder = More Time–Leave Time for Revising

and Editing

Implementing the Plan

Revising & Editing• #1 Priority: Your Answer–Do you address the Question

in your Thesis & Supporting ¶s?

• #2 Priority: Your Answer–Do you include Key Terms and

Concepts in Supporting ¶s?

Revising & Editing• #3 Priority: Clarity–Is the essay organized and

easy to follow?

• #4 Priority: Style –Are the sentences not only

clear but also grammatically correct?

Revising & Editing• Priority #1: Strategy–Can you identify the

Question from reading your Thesis?

• Priority #2: Strategy–Can you identify Definitions

or Concepts from reading your body ¶s?

Revising & Editing• Priority #3: Strategy–Does your essay follow your

outline? Can you easily see how one point leads to the next? Does each sentence make sense?

• Priority #4: Strategy–Read the Essay at least Once

Questions?