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In-Class Essay Examinations . Key Words Criteria for Grading Interesting and significant questions in history do not have single, correct answers. It is a waste of time to look for “the right answer” or to second-guess the instructor. The answers you need will result from your own informed and reflective thinking. Essay examinations test your ability to interpret the meaning of historical facts and your skill at using facts to take convincing positions on significant questions. Here are a few suggestions for writing effective essay answers. 1. Answer only the question asked. If you do not understand the question, ask for a clarification before you begin writing. Stick to the issues at hand. Look for the key words in essay questions. Do not wander off into irrelevant tangents. An essay that does not answer the question, no matter how brilliant in other ways, cannot receive a passing grade. 2. Construct a brief outline of your essay. Include the main points and the historical facts needed to support your contentions. (You can use a page in the examination book for this purpose, but your notes and outlines will not be considered part of the essay.) 3. Organize the essay logically. A simple but effective organizing scheme has three parts. Begin with an introductory paragraph that briefly states your general answer to the question and the main points of your argument. Use the points made in the introductory paragraph to structure the main body of the essay. Each paragraph in the main body should argue persuasively one of the points made in the introduction and include supporting facts and examples. Finally, a concluding paragraph summarizes why your arguments and evidence supports your general answer. 4. Write clearly and directly. Come to the point as quickly and succinctly as possible. Avoid repetition, superfluous words, and inflated language. Do explain everything fully and carefully. Write in complete sentences using the best spelling and grammar you can muster. While good handwriting, spelling, and grammar make the best impression, these things are not considered in grading unless they are so poor that they make the essay difficult to read or to understand. 5.
Budget
your time. You should be able to write a six-page essay in an
examination bluebook in no more than 25 minutes. You will not have time
to write everything you know about the question. Choose only the
most important and relevant points. Plan and write your essay
with
the time constraint in mind. define: provide an exact meaning . state: present something with confidence (usually requires support with facts and examples) . identify: define or describe something so it cannot be confused with anything else . describe: show what something looks like (including physical features) . trace: provide an outline, chronology, or high points in a sequence of events . review: reexamine the main points or arguments . summarize: provide a brief restatement of main points . compare: discuss similarities (and differences) . contrast: discuss differences (and similarities) . discuss: explore something from several points of view . explain: provide reasons for why something exits or happens . analyze: break down into smaller parts in order to account for the meaning, function, and relationships among the parts prove: demonstrate the correctness of something by logic and facts . . 1. Does the essay answer the question asked? 2. Are the arguments logical, persuasive, and convincing? 3. Are appropriate facts used to support each point? 4. Is the essay clearly organized and well written?
The best
essays usually provide well thought-out, original, and even creative
approaches
that may not have come directly from the text, readings, lectures, or
class
discussions. They show evidence of independent thinking.
More
conventional answers may also make first-rate essays when they are well
presented and well argued. |