One of the biggest challenges facing high school and college students is how to write essays that earn the highest grades possible. Learning how to deal with an essay test and learning how to write clear and intelligent essays is perhaps one of the most important academic skills that you can acquire. I would like to share a few tips that I hope will help you to "ace" your next essay test.
1. Take a careful look at the exam and plan your response accordingly. Don't start writing immediately. Go through all of the questions carefully and find out how many questions you have to do and see if there are any choices that you can make. If you start writing without a careful look at the entire exam there is even the chance that you may leave out a question, and this could cost you dearly.
2. Budget your time and make an outline of your essay. Once you know how many questions there are and which ones you have to answer, then it is crucial that you allocate your available time for each part of the test. Carry a watch with you because you may not get a seat with a good view of the clock. Besides time budgeting it is also a good practice to plan what you are going to write by creating an outline of the points that you are going to cover. When your outline is ready, then start writing and stay within the allotted time for each question.
3. Start off with a good introductory paragraph. Your first few sentences can influence the whole essay, either positively or negatively. So start it right by restating the question and then give a sketch of how you are going to tackle the question. This introductory paragraph will prepare the teacher for what is coming next and it will also help guide you through the next part of the essay.
4. Demonstrate your knowledge of the course material. In the main body of the essay, following the opening and before the conclusion, you have to show that you are familiar with what was taught in the classes and what was covered in the reading assignments. If you express any opinions on the subject, then it is important to back your ideas up with references to other authors, books and authorities in your field. Don't try to cover up your deficiencies with flowery language. Rather it is better to concentrate on what you remember and what you really know about the topic.
5. Write clearly and concisely. Besides preparing well for the test by knowing the material, expressing yourself intelligently and clearly is the most important part. Short easy to read sentences are better than rambling, run-on sentences. Don't try to impress your instructor with terms that you are not sure how to use correctly. Simplicity and clarity will help you as well as helping the examiners to get through the pile of essays!
6. Conclude clearly and strongly. Your closing paragraph should restate what you set out to do in the opening paragraph and it should summarize what you have said in the body of your essay. Conclude your essay with clarity and with confidence.
If you follow these tips, and work on developing your writing skills you will not only do well on your essays in school, but will have acquired a valuable skill that will help you throughout your entire life.
1. Take a careful look at the exam and plan your response accordingly. Don't start writing immediately. Go through all of the questions carefully and find out how many questions you have to do and see if there are any choices that you can make. If you start writing without a careful look at the entire exam there is even the chance that you may leave out a question, and this could cost you dearly.
2. Budget your time and make an outline of your essay. Once you know how many questions there are and which ones you have to answer, then it is crucial that you allocate your available time for each part of the test. Carry a watch with you because you may not get a seat with a good view of the clock. Besides time budgeting it is also a good practice to plan what you are going to write by creating an outline of the points that you are going to cover. When your outline is ready, then start writing and stay within the allotted time for each question.
3. Start off with a good introductory paragraph. Your first few sentences can influence the whole essay, either positively or negatively. So start it right by restating the question and then give a sketch of how you are going to tackle the question. This introductory paragraph will prepare the teacher for what is coming next and it will also help guide you through the next part of the essay.
4. Demonstrate your knowledge of the course material. In the main body of the essay, following the opening and before the conclusion, you have to show that you are familiar with what was taught in the classes and what was covered in the reading assignments. If you express any opinions on the subject, then it is important to back your ideas up with references to other authors, books and authorities in your field. Don't try to cover up your deficiencies with flowery language. Rather it is better to concentrate on what you remember and what you really know about the topic.
5. Write clearly and concisely. Besides preparing well for the test by knowing the material, expressing yourself intelligently and clearly is the most important part. Short easy to read sentences are better than rambling, run-on sentences. Don't try to impress your instructor with terms that you are not sure how to use correctly. Simplicity and clarity will help you as well as helping the examiners to get through the pile of essays!
6. Conclude clearly and strongly. Your closing paragraph should restate what you set out to do in the opening paragraph and it should summarize what you have said in the body of your essay. Conclude your essay with clarity and with confidence.
If you follow these tips, and work on developing your writing skills you will not only do well on your essays in school, but will have acquired a valuable skill that will help you throughout your entire life.
About the Author:
Andrew Carson is a newspaper columnist who produces articles on scholarships, online colleges, financial aid, school search tips, and adult education.
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