In this section

Long Answer

Here are some things to consider when responding to long answer or essay questions.

Time

  • Managing your time here is important
  • Be aware of how many questions you need to answer and how long you have to answer them
  • Writing shorter, less complete answers for each question will likely yield better results (mark wise) than leaving a question blank


Know What is Being Asked of You

  • Comparing the ideas of Nietzsche and Descartes is different than explaining them
  • Understand the question you’re meant to answer
  • These are the “mental action” verbs in the question
  • They point to the type of thinking your instructor wants from you
  • Don’t lose marks for comparing when you should have been explaining
  • Look at the WORDS TO WATCH FOR handout for definitions on the types of “mental actions” you might be asked on a test or exam

 

Make an Outline

  • This is no different than an outline you’d make for any other essay
  • You are less likely to forget important points
  • And it allows you to organize these points into a sequence that flows
  • Being organized also reduces the stress of trying to figure out what you will write about
  • It’s there, all you need to do is expand
  • And if you run out of time, you may get marks for your outline as it shows your instructor how you planned to answer the question


Be to the Point

  • Don’t waste time on fluffy introductions
  • Begin your essay by answering the question
  • Your instructor should know your views after the first sentence
  • Do not waste time with filler sentences
  • You only have so much time to write
  • Every sentence should help you answer the question


Support Your Arguments

  • An essay question on a test or exam is no different than one you would write to hand into your instructor
  • You still need evidence and examples to support the arguments you are trying to make


Be Detailed

  • Do not assume your instructor knows what you’re talking about
  • Assume they know nothing
  • It is better to over-explain, than under-explain an answer


Keep that Answer Tidy

  • Make things easy on your instructor
  • Write neatly
  • Double-space your answer
  • And write only on one side of the paper (your writing can bleed through the other side, making it harder to read)
  • Marking your answer is a subjective process, and you don’t want to lose marks because your instructor could not read your answer
  • And by leaving space, you can go back and add information you missed
  • You could also use the margins, but this can get messy


Proofread

  • If you have time, read over your answer and fix any spelling, grammar or punctuation errors
  • Look out for poorly supported key points and poorly phrased sentences
  • You put the work in, polish it off!

 

Sources:
Carter, Carol, Joyce Bishop, Sarah Lyman Kravits. Keys to Effective Learning. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 1998.
Cuseo, Joseph B, Aaron Thompson, Michele Campagna, Viki Sox Fecas. Thriving in College and Beyond: Research-Based Strategies for Academic Success and Personal Development. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2016.
Ellis, Dave. Becoming a Master Student. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006