Mary Ellen Haley Center for Academic Development.
Post on 23-Dec-2015
217 Views
Preview:
Transcript
Mary Ellen HaleyCenter for Academic Development
SIMILARITIES TO A TAKE-HOME ESSAYDecide on your audience and your purposeStart with a solid thesis statementProvide relevant support for your thesisWrite a scratch outline Include transitional words and expressions
for cohesion and clear organizationProofread and edit
DIFFERENCES FROM A TAKE-HOME ESSAY
More important to budget your time and watch the clock
Leave time (at least 10 minutes) to editConcentrate on getting down information
Preparation for the Essay Exam List common themes of course readings,
discussions and other materialsWith common themes in mind, predict and
list possible essay questions and topicsPractice writing some of these essays
AT THE ESSAY EXAM ITSELF:STEP ONE:Make a plan to budget your time. Stick to it!
STEP TWORead the directions, the questions and topics
carefully. Be sure you know EXACTLY what is being asked!
STEP THREELook for key words that will tell you what to write about
and how to organize the essay:Compare: Write about similaritiesContrast: Write about differencesSummarize/Sum up/Outline: Write about the main
ideas Evaluate/Critique: Write your opinion, giving the
arguments for and against the issue and why your position is stronger
Classify: Write an explanation of into which category your topic falls
Define: Write a definition- what does the topic mean?Describe: Write about the characteristics of the topic
STEP FOUREstablish your thesis statement.
STEP FIVEWrite a scratch outline.
STEP SIXWrite the essay, following the outline. Do not worry about grammar and
mechanics--- just get your ideas on paper. Use all your resources (the readings,
lectures, discussion ideas) to develop the essay.
Write one paragraph per supporting idea. Focus each paragraph with a very clear topic sentence to express the main idea of the paragraph and to focus you on the point.
STEP SEVENGo back and revise:delete ideasadd ideasmove ideas to more logical paragraphs add transitions where needed
STEP EIGHTProofread and edit for: GrammarSpellingPunctuationWord choice
This is NOT RECOMMENDED! BUDGET YOUR TIME! BUT, if you run out of time…
Take the last minute or two to outline or list the points you planned to cover. Not all professors will give you credit for this attempt, but some will.
PRACTICE PROMPTSMany people look to the famous as heroes. Think of a
famous individual who deserves this kind of idolization and one who does not. Contrast the two figures.
Define “hero.” Compare two celebrities who both deserve our
respect.Summarize the ways technology has changed your
life.Describe the most beautiful place you have ever seen.Evaluate the quality of a film you have recently seen.
top related