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Writing for in-class essay exams

Students examples with professors' comments

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It is difficult to test a student's knowledge using multiple-choice exams. Interpretation of facts and demonstration of understanding usually require that the student express his or her ideas in writing. Thus, most students will be required to take one or more in-class essay exam. Such exams may involve short-essay identifications or long essays.


Shorter In-class Essays

Typically, short-essay identifications require students to define or identify a term or concept and briefly discuss its significance. You should try to be very concise and direct in your answer. In assigning this task, instructors are looking to see if you can define the term. They are also looking to see if you know the term well enough to explain its significance in relation to larger course themes and topics.

There are several ways you can explain a term's significance.You could site an example of how the term was used in a particular lecture or reading. Or, you could provide an example of how the term is applied in a particular historical or contemporary context. You could compare and/or contrast the term with another concept. You could even analyze the conceptís meaning to point out conceptual ambiguity or multiple meanings depending on the context within which the term is used.

Students sometimes find short identifications difficult to do because they can't settle on one concise definition. Some students simply donít know the term well enough to give a convincing statement about its significance.

Longer In-class Essays

Longer essay questions typically require students to respond to a question (or questions) aimed at measuring their grasp of course facts, theories and themes. In general, instructors can discern how well the student knows the material based on whether he or she can respond to the question by drawing on class readings and lectures. Those students who can provide their own analysis (or independent thinking) of course materials receive higher grades than students who merely regurgitate the material as presented by the instructor or readings. Such exams often require the student to balance a discussion of facts, theories, examples, and analysis.

The first step in writing an in-class essay is to determine exactly what the question asks you to do. There are various keywords that are commonly used by professors in essay exams. Understanding what these keywords mean is a necessary step in decoding the question. If you are asked to define a concept or theory, you are supposed tell what the theory or concept is and is not. This may involve placing the concept in its general class and then differentiating it from other members of that class. For example, a general definition of "democracy" might be "government decision making by the people." Within that general definition, however, might be several sub-categories including "direct democracy," "representative democracy," and "parliamentary democracy."

Professors in Government 101 often will ask you to compare and contrast two theories, concepts, or authors' main points. To compare involves highlighting the similarities and differences of each subject, and then providing some details of the variations between each subject. Contrast is similar to comparison, but the emphasis is on the differences or disagreement between subjects.

To explain something involves the "how" and "why" of it. You should try to make clear the reasons for, or basic principles of something. If you are asked to evaluate or assess something, you are required to provide your judgement on its accuracy or usefulness. This might involve judgement on a concept or theory's accuracy in relation to actual events. In providing your judgement, take care not to just express your feelings alone. Instead, state how you feel about the subject based on your informed use of course concepts and theories.


For a more complete list of common terms used in essay questions, click on decoding the question. To see an example of an effective long essay, and read an instructor's comments on what he liked about the answer, click here.