Learning log outside classroom

• Answers will come to mind immediately for some questions

Before attempting to answer a question, put it in your own words

• Now compare your version with the original.

• Do they mean the same thing? If they don't, you've misread the question. You'll be surprised how often they don't agree.

Think before you write:Make a brief outline for each questionNumber the items in the order you will discuss them

• Get right to the point

• State your main point in the first sentence

• Use your first paragraph to provide an overview of your essay.

• Use the rest of your essay to discuss these points in more detail.

• Back up your points with specific information, examples, or quotations from your readings and notes

• Teachers are influenced by compactness,

• completeness and clarity of an organized answer

• Writing in the hope

• that the right answer will somehow turn up is time-consuming and usually futile

• To know a little and to present that little well is,

• by and large, superior to knowing much and presenting it poorly--when judged by the grade received.

Writing & answering:Begin with a strong first sentencethat states the main idea of your essay.Continue this first paragraph by presenting key pointsDevelop your argument

• Begin each paragraph

• with a key point from the introduction

• Develop each pointin a complete paragraph

• Use transitions,or enumerate, to connect your points

• Hold to your timeallocation and organization

• Avoid very definite statements

• when possible; a qualified statement connotes a philosophic attitude, the mark of an educated person

• Qualify answers when in doubt.

• It is better to say "toward the end of the 19th century" than to say "in 1894" when you can't remember, whether it's 1884 or 1894. In many cases, the approximate time is all that is wanted; unfortunately 1894, though approximate, may be incorrect, and will usually be marked accordingly.

Summarize in your last paragraphRestate your central idea and indicate why it is important.Review:Complete questions left incomplete,but allow time to review all questionsReview, edit, correctmisspellings, incomplete words and sentences, miswritten dates and numbers.Not enough time?Outline your answers See also: Essay terms and directivesFor teachers: Writing essay exams