Writing for Essay Tests

1. Writing for Essay Tests Increasing your Testing Success

2. Topics • Preparing • Step-by-Step Process • Getting Started • Figuring out the Question • Planning • Implementing the Plan • Revising and Editing

3. Preparing • Do you already know the topic? • Create and Study an Outline • Address the Question • Write a Practice Essay • Get Feedback

4. Preparing • Do you notknow the topic? • Pick Several Likely Topics • Create and Study Outlines for Each • Write a Practice Essay on the Most Likely • Get Feedback

5. 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

6. Getting Started • 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)

7. 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

8. Implementing the Plan • Time Management … • More Points = More Time • Harder = More Time • Leave Time for Revising and Editing

9. Revising & Editing • #1 Priority: Your Answer • Do you address the Question inyourThesis & Supporting¶s? • #2 Priority: Your Answer • Do you include Key Terms and Concepts in Supporting ¶s?

10. 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?

11. 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?

12. Revising & Editing • Priority #3: Strategy • Does your essay follow your outline? Can you easily see how one point leads to the next? Doeseachsentencemakesense? • Priority #4: Strategy • Read the Essay at least Once

13. Questions?