Essay Exam Coming Up? (Don't panic)

"I don't mind multiple choice tests," a student told me the other day, "for at least you know the answer is somewhere in front of you.  But essay exams are another story.  You have to know the topic really well, be organized, write fast, and hope it all makes sense when you're done.  It's tough."

He's right.  Writing a good essay, especially under test conditions, IS tough.

But not impossible.

Preparing for essay exams is in most ways like getting ready for any other test.  If you've done all of the right things--paid attention in class, kept up with readings and assignments, reviewed your notes, stayed interested in (and thought about) what you're learning, and anticipated test questions--you're already more than halfway there.

But since writing about a topic is different from answering short answer questions, knowing some essay test strategies also can't hurt.

Here are some quick tips to keep in mind for your next essay exam:

• Read the question carefully.  Essay questions call for different kinds of information.  They may ask you to focus on similarities and differences; explain the how or why of something;   discuss a sequence of steps or events; argue a point; or summarize something you've learned.  A good way to determine a question's intent is to look at its action verb (words like compare, contrast, evaluate, explain, describe, summarize, trace, and so on).  Each communicates a specific "request." Paying attention to these words can help you understand the question and begin planning a response.

• Answer only the question that's been asked.  If an essay question asks you to compare two short stories, discuss the symptoms of a disease, evaluate the effectiveness of a law, or examine the causes of a social problem, answer that question and that question alone.  Don't feel you have to provide tons of background information or anything else that's secondary to the question at hand.

• Plan your answer before you begin writing.  Taking a few minutes to outline your answer can help you see your essay's content and direction.  Your outline doesn't have to be fancy: a simple list of the points or pieces of information you wish to include (maybe in the order you want to discuss them) should work just fine.  Once you've sketched out your answer, you can use the outline to guide your writing.

• Introduce your main idea early in your essay.  Most essays have a thesis or main idea: a statement that responds directly to the question and that sets the stage for the rest of the discussion.  It's a good practice to state that idea early on, preferably in your first paragraph.  Whether you're telling your reader that film X is better than film Y; that four factors contributed to a revolution; or that being a vegetarian has many health benefits, make sure you share your thesis early in your discussion. 

• Make sure your essay has enough content.  A good essay has not only a clear thesis but good content to support it.  Content may include facts, reasons, examples, research, data, definitions, and even personal experiences--all aimed at expanding and elaborating on the discussion's  main idea.  When answering an essay question, don't skimp on substance.  If a piece of information helps to advance your thesis, chances are it belongs in your discussion.

Essay exams can be challenging, but they can also be good confidence builders.  They give you opportunities to stretch yourself academically and to practice organizing information into a thoughtful discussion.  That's an important skill--and one that will pay off not only in your classes but in most careers, where your ability to make and support a point effectively will surely get you noticed.