1. Reread the question carefully and underline all key direction words (i.e., list, describe, enumerate, compare) and the designated topic. Example: Compare the causes of the Vietnam War with the causes of the Korean War.

2. List in the margins or on the back of the essay test paper your key ideas or thoughts which you want to stress in your answer.

3. Begin your answer by rephrasing the essay question in sentence form. This gives you an easy way to start and forces you to read the question one more time in order to prevent your misunderstanding of the essay question.

Example of essay question: Contrast the economic situation in the South versus after the War Between the States.

Example of sentence beginning essay: The South had a different economy after the War Between the States than it did before.

4. After rephrasing the essay question, in the next sentence announce what you will be saying in the rest of your answer. This will help focus your writing and help the professor follow your organization. The more you organize, the easier your answer is to read. this organization makes a difference in the final grading!

Example of the First and Second Sentences of an Essay: Memory can be helpful for studying. Three principles of memory that are helpful are: 1) selectivity, 2) recitation, and 3) consolidation.

5. Devote a paragraph or more to each of the main points or key ideas you will make. Make sure you explain, prove, or support with facts each main point you state. A frequent criticism by professors is that students fail to fully explain or support their answers.

6. Save time so that you can reread all your answers to check for the following concerns:

a) completeness and clarity

b) punctuation, capitalization, usage

c) spelling

d) neatness

e) DID YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION?

General Suggestions to Increase Your Effectiveness:

1. Use a pen or a well sharpened pencil

2. Number your pages and put your name on each sheet.

3. Leave plenty of space between questions and an adequate margin at each side.

4. Underline key points so they stand out.

5. If you run out of time, list the key ideas you planned to discuss in more detail.