How do I make sure I answer the
essay question?
Cath Senker
Writer, editor, teacher
1 Initial brainstorm
• Check you understand all the key terms.
• Work out what you’re being asked to do –
what is the argument about?
• You could write the question in your own
words.
• Think about how it fits with your module –
why are you being asked this question?
If question is ambiguous, check with tutor.
(See www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=150)
2 Check the keywords
• Directive words – words that tell you what to
do
• Topic area – the topic/s or theme/s in the
question
• Limiting/focus words – words that provide
boundaries and focus for the essay
Identify the keywords
Critically discuss the effect that entry into the
European Union has had on the sovereignty of
the UK Parliament.
Critically discuss [directive words] the effect that
entry into the European Union has had on the
sovereignty [topic words] of the UK Parliament
[limiting/focus words].
Another keywords example
Critically evaluate [directive words], in relation to the common
law duty of care [limiting/focus words] , the liability of employers
for psychiatric illnesses suffered by employees and arising as the
result of employees being made to work under stressful
conditions [topic words].
Source: http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk/writing-for-university/academic-writing/approaching-thequestion/
3 Structuring an essay: example
With reference to an urban or rural landscape
known to you, assess the extent to which it
reflects past and present socio-cultural and
economic relations.
Ideas for structure
• Look at themes about the landscape – eg
buildings/roads/topography (natural and artificial
physical features) and the extent to which each
reflects past and present.
• Or look at the extent to which the landscape
reflects past and then how it reflects present
socio-cultural and economic relations.
• Or you could tackle essay through themes of
socio-cultural and economic relations.
Further help
• Sussex University S3 website: Writing well:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=26
• The Royal Literary Fund: Writing
http://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowshipscheme/writi
ng/essayguide.cfm
• Book a one-to-one writing tutorial with the
RLF:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/tldu/studentskills/rlf