HFCC Learning Lab Tests G3.1 ESSAY EXAM CLUES

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1 HFCC Learning Lab Tests G3.1 ESSAY EXAM CLUES The following is a list of directive words commonly in essay examinations. College students who understand these terms and follow directions on an examination tend accordingly to write good tests. Compare Contrast Criticize Define Describe Diagram Discuss Enumerate Evaluate Explain When you are asked to compare, you should examine qualities or characteristic in order to discover resemblances. The term compare is usually compare with, and it implies that you are to emphasize similarities, although differences may be mentioned. When you are instructed to contrast, dissimilarities, differences, or unlikeness of associated things, qualities, events, or problems should be stressed. In a criticism you should express your judgment with respect to the correctness or merit of the factors under consideration. You are expected to give the results of your own analysis and to discuss the limitations and good points or contribution of the plan or work in question. Definitions call for concise, clear, authoritative meanings. In such statements, details are not required, but boundaries or limitations of the definition should be briefly cited. You must keep in mind the class to which a thing belongs and whatever differentiates the particular object from all others in the class. In a descriptive answer, you should recount, characterize, sketch, or relate in narrative form. For a question which specifies a diagram, you should present a drawing, chart, plan, or graphic representation in your answer. Generally, the student is also expected to label the diagram and, in some cases, to add a brief explanation or description. The term discuss, which appears often in essay questions, directs you to examine, analyze carefully, and present considerations pro and con regarding the problems or items involved. This type of question calls for a complete and detailed answer. The word enumerate specifies a list or outline form of reply. In such questions, you should recount, one by one, in concise form, the points required. In an evaluation question, you are expected to present a careful appraisal of the problem, stressing both advantages and limitations. Evaluation implies authoritative and, to lesser degree, personal appraisal of both contributions and limitations. In explanatory answers, it is imperative that you clarify, elucidate, and interpret the material you present. In such an answer, it is best to state the how or why reconcile any differences in opinion or experimental results, and where possible, state causes. The aim is to make plain the conditions which give rise to whatever you are examining. G3.1 1

2 Illustrate Interpret Justify Outline Prove Relate Review State Summarize Trace A question which ask you to illustrate usually require you to explain or clarify your answer to the problems be presenting a figure, picture, diagram, or concrete example. An interpretation question is similar to one requiring explanation. You are expected to translate, exemplify, solve, or comment upon the subject and usually to give your judgment or reaction to the problem. When you are instructed to justify you answer, you must prove or show grounds for decisions. In such an answer, evidence should presented in convincing form. An outlined answer is an organized description or a point. You should give main and essential supplementary materials, omitting minor details, and present the information in a systematic arrangement or classification. A question which requires proof is one which demands confirmation or verification. In such discussions, you should establish something with certainty by evaluating and citing experimental evidence or by logical reasoning. In a question which asks how to show the relationship or to relate, your answers should emphasize connections and associations in descriptive form. A review specifies a critical examination. You should analyze and comment briefly in organized sequence upon the major points of the problem. In questions which direct you to specify, give, state, or present, you are called upon to express the high point in brief, clear narrative forms. Details and usually illustrations or examples may be omitted. When you are asked to summarize or present a summarization, you should give in condensed form the main point or facts. All details, illustrations, and elaborations are to be omitted. When a question asks you to trace a course of events, you are to give a description of progress, historical events, or development from the point of origin. Such narratives mat call for probing or for deductions. Adapted from Learning More by Effective Study By Charles and Dorothy Bird, 1945 After learning the definitions of these terms, test yourself on your accuracy by taking the following check test. G3.1 2

3 WHAT S THE MEANING? ESSAY EXAM TERMINOLOGY Directions: On the line provided, write the letter of the appropriate definition next to the term. 1. Compare a. You should recount, characterize, sketch or relate in narrative form 2. Contrast b. You are to examine qualities for differences 3. Criticize c. You are present a careful appraisal of the problem stressing both advantages and limitations. 4. Define d. You are to explain or clarify your answer to the problem be presenting a figure, picture diagram, or concrete example. 5. Describe e. You are to examine qualities for resemblances 6. Diagram f. You must prove or show grounds for decisions using convincing evidence. 7. Discuss g. You should express your judgment with respect to the correctness or merit of the factors under consideration 8. Enumerate h. You should give main points and essential supplementary materials, omitting minor details, and present the information in a systematic arrangement or classification. 9. Evaluate i. You should present a drawing, chart plan, or graphic representation 10. Explain j. You should express the high points in brief, clear, narrative form. Details and usually illustrations or examples are omitted. G3.1 3

4 11. Illustrate k. You need to write a clear, concise, authorative meaning. 12. Interpret l. You are to give a description of progress, historical events, or points of origin. 13. Justify m. You are expected to translate, exemplify, solve, or comment upon a subject and give your judgment or reaction to the problem. 14. Outline n. You should analyze and comment briefly in organized sequence upon the major points of the problem. 15. Prove o. You should emphasize connections and associations in descriptive form. 16. Relate p. You are asked to summarize a point condensing important points. 17. Review q. You are to list or outline important points. 18. State r. You are to clarify, elucidate, and interpret the material you present. 19. Summarize s. You should establish something with certainty by evaluating and citing experimental evidence or by logical reasoning. 20. Trace t. You are to examine, analyze carefully, and present considerations pro and con regarding the problems or items involved. G3.1 4

5 ANSWERS 1. E 11. D 2. B 12. M 3. G 13. F 4. K 14. H 5. A 15. S 6. I 16. O 7. T 17. N 8. Q 18. J 9. C 19. P 10. R 20. L G3.1 5