Comments on: How to Take an Essay Exam

on 8/15/2007 If you run out of time on one question, leave it and get on with the others. But leave yourself a blank page or two so that you come come back to it if you have time. At the end of your time limit, rule a line through any pages that are still blank so that the examiner doesn't see a blank page and think you haven't answered any of the rest!

on 2/10/2006 The first step in the writing process would be to read the question. Not skim, but fully read it. Make sure you understand exactly what you have to include in your essay.

Before you begin the essay, make an outline! Even if space isn't specifically provided to make an outline, at least find room to make bullets or something. Outlines help you organize your ideas into specific paragraphs. That way, you don't forget to put in something, your ideas go together, and your essay is most likely smooth and coherent.

When writing the essay, follow your outline. Make new paragraphs noticeable, your essay shouldn't be one long paragraph.

Take deep breaths occasionally if you are overwhelmed.

When you finish your essay, proofread it for any typos or anything you want to change. Try to utilize all the time given to you.

When the time is up, instead of worrying about how you did on your essay or if you left anything out of it, think about something else. There's nothing more that can be done about the essay, so it is best to relax and maybe congratulate yourself on getting through the essay.

on 1/6/2006 Pay attention to the teacher, professor, or any other person that teaches your class. Tape record lectures and take notes all the time.

on 11/22/2005 Don't waffle. For most exams, get straight to the point and stick to the question! When you sit down, give yourself time limits (normally about a mark a minute, although this does vary), allow two minutes per question for a quick plan. That way, if you don't have time to finish writing a question, you still get a few marks for the plan. Often, writing a plan and a short, focused conclusion, can get you the same marks as several pages of waffle.
Focus, range, judgment.
Point, explain, example.

on 11/22/2005 For great sounding essays, I have memorized words such as "manifest" and "inherently" to "beef up" even the most pathetic composition. Instead of "Their names said a lot about them." try "The characters' expressive appellations reavealed some of the most profound facets of their personalities."