The Call to Write,
Third Edition
Chapter 22, Essay Exams
Test anxiety
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Many people get
nervous just thinking
about taking an essay
exam.
However, essay exams
are a part of college
life!
Let’s look at how to be
successful.
Chapter overview
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Preparing for essay exams
Analyzing the format and questions on the exam
Planning an answer
Writing the essay exam
How to prepare for an exam
Different kinds of essay test formats
Using the rule of three, outlines and maps
Typical types of exam questions
How are essay tests different?
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Most tests focus on whether you have learned
specific facts, terms, or formulas.
Essay tests require you to demonstrate your
understanding of applying concepts by writing
anywhere from several sentences to a page or
more.
Objective vs. subjective
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Test question formats such as true/false,
multiple choice, and matching are examples
of objective questions. There is a correct
answer.
Essay test questions often include both an
objective and subjective aspect, if you are
asked your opinion.
Preparing for essay exams
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Ask about format and scope (how many
chapters will be covered).
Read over your notes, and review chapter
summaries in your text.
Write sample questions and plan answers.
Overall approach for preparation
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Don’t try to memorize big chunks of
information.
Focus instead on the big picture, “the main
ideas, terminology, controversies,
explanations, and conceptual frameworks”
(655).
Consider working with a study group.
Types of essay test formats
What are the three
different types of essay
tests?
 Identification items
 Short answer
 Long answer
Identification items
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Short statements used to
define a term or identify
a researcher
Typical for introductory
courses
Write one to two
sentences, as needed.
Short-answer questions
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Instructions may say to
answer in a few sentences to
several paragraphs.
It’s safest to develop a short
thesis statement and write an
organized mini-essay of
several paragraphs.
Long-answer essay questions
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Use more complex
questions that require a
more complex answer
Explore bigger concepts
A clue may be a question at
the top of the page, and then
rest of the page is blank!
Use time wisely
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Identification items should be given the least
amount of time.
Short-answer questions should be given a few
more minutes, but probably no more than 10
minutes.
Essay questions, or long answer questions,
may take from 20 minutes to an hour to
complete.
Planning is essential
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Take a few moments to think about the
question; note key words.
Jot down a scratch outline of ideas to
discover a three-part thesis statement.
Use a simple outline to organize ideas.
Add details, examples.
Example of an informal outline
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Introduction (simple thesis with three
points)
Body: first point and examples
Body: second point and examples
Body: third point and examples
Conclusion
The thesis
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The main idea of your essay
Gives your reader a sense of organization
Builds in a mini-outline to essay
Three works well: for example, three
reasons, three ways, three arguments, three
views.
Drafting your answer
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Realize you can only write a good rough
draft; there is no time to do a major revision.
First impressions count.
Use the ideas in the question itself to frame
the opening statement.
Provide supporting evidence, and tie in ideas
from the course.
Drafting your answer, cont.
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Write an ending, even if short on time.
Write legibly, and proofread.
Watch the clock.
If you feel you cannot finish, at least list the
ideas from your outline to show where you
are going.
See the student samples, pages 663-666.
Student Companion Website
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Go to the student side of the Web site for
exercises, chapter overviews, and links to
writing resources for this chapter:
http://www.ablongman.com/trimbur
Click on the textbook cover, and then select
Student Resources.