I am spending the weekend grading my students’ essay exams. I reminded them last week that their goal
is to demonstrate how well they read and understood the assignment and that they
should make my job easy. Here are some
ideas:
* Read the ENTIRE question.
* Pause and think about the answer.
* Mark up the questions. Number
the parts, underline important words.
* Consider making a brief outline before starting to write.
* If it is a multiple part question, answer each part in order.
* Restate the question in your first sentence to keep your answer directed and on topic.
* Use signal words to help the professor follow along. If there are three parts, use words like
“first, second, third.” If they ask for
examples to prove your point, start the sentence with “For example.”
* If you have time, reread your answer.
Be sure that it makes sense. Put
yourself in the place of the professor and see if it is clear.
* Keep in mind that you are the writer and your job is to be clear for
the reader. Don’t assume the
reader/professor will “know what you mean” because they obviously know the
material. Your job is to clearly explain
the information and to demonstrate how well you do know the material.
There is no substitute for knowing the correct answer, but you still
have to communicate that answer to your professor so that they know that you
know!!!
*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at wordassociation.com, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com
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