COMMENTS

  1. Focus and Precision: How to Write Essays that Answer the Question

    2) Be as explicit as possible. Use forceful, persuasive language to show how the points you've made do answer the question. My main focus so far has been on tangential or irrelevant material - but many students lose marks even though they make great points, because they don't quite impress how relevant those points are.

  2. PDF PREPARING EFFECTIVE ESSAY QUESTIONS

    essay questions and outcomes that are likely to be better assessed by other means. 3. Evaluating existing essay questions using criteria of effective essay questions. ... Based on Stalnaker's definition, an essay question should meet the following criteria: 1. Requires examinees to compose rather than select their response. 2.

  3. PDF Strategies for Essay Writing

    your questions will form the basis of a strong essay. For example, your initial questions about a source may be answered by reading the source more closely. On the other hand, sometimes you will identify a genuine ambiguity or problem in your sources that raises a question that others considering the same sources would also have. In that case, your

  4. Over 170 Prompts to Inspire Writing and Discussion

    Here are all of our Student Opinion questions from the 2020-21 school year. Each question is based on a different New York Times article, interactive feature or video.

  5. 130 New Prompts for Argumentative Writing

    Try our student writing prompts. In 2017, we compiled a list of 401 argumentative writing prompts, all drawn from our daily Student Opinion column. Now, we're rounding up 130 more we've ...

  6. How to Write a Good Answer to Exam Essay Questions: 13 Steps

    Start with an introductory paragraph, use 3 paragraphs in the body of the article to explain different points, and finish with a concluding paragraph. It can also be really helpful to draft a quick outline of your essay before you start writing. 3. Choose relevant facts and figures to include.

  7. ESSAY QUESTIONS--Types & How to Answer

    Make sure you understand what type of answer the main verb calls for (a diagram a summary, details, an analysis, an evaluation). Circle all the keywords in the question. Decide if you need to write a 1-paragraph or a multi-paragraph answer. Write a brief outline of all the points you want to mention in your answer. Restate the question and ...

  8. Essay Exams

    You must be realistic about the time constraints of an essay exam. If you write one dazzling answer on an exam with three equally-weighted required questions, you earn only 33 points—not enough to pass at most colleges. This may seem unfair, but keep in mind that instructors plan exams to be reasonably comprehensive.

  9. Asking Analytical Questions

    Your answer to that question will be your essay's thesis. You may have many questions as you consider a source or set of sources, but not all of your questions will form the basis of a strong essay. For example, your initial questions about a source may be answered by reading the source more closely. On the other hand, sometimes you will ...

  10. How to Structure an Essay

    The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body. This article provides useful templates and tips to help you outline your essay, make decisions about your structure, and ...

  11. Example of a Great Essay

    Frequently asked questions about writing an essay; Example of a well-structured essay. ... The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people's needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. ...

  12. 300 Questions and Images to Inspire Argument Writing

    19. Snail Mail: Do you think handwritten cards and letters still have value in the digital age? 20. Cyberbullying: Should social media companies do more to prevent online harassment? 21. Phone ...

  13. Source-based essay

    3 years ago. Would love to have six to ten source-based essay prompts for practice! It is easy to find lots of argumentative essay prompts in random places online, but the source-based version is rather scarce. Thanks so much! I rocked the Math and Reading PRAXIS with the help of Khan! Just have the Writing left to take this week...

  14. 100 IELTS Essay Questions

    The 100 essay questions have been used many times over the years. The questions are organised under common topics and essay types. IELTS often use the similar topics for their essays but change the wording of the essay question. In order to prepare well for writing task 2, you should prepare ideas for common topics and then practise applying ...

  15. How to Write the Document Based Question (DBQ)

    Steps to Writing an Effective DBQ. We've summarized how to write an effective DBQ into the following five steps: 1. Read the prompt first. Though you may be tempted to jump into the documents right away, it's very important that you first look at what exactly the prompt is asking for.

  16. How to Write an Argumentative Essay

    For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts. In this context, you won't necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you're told otherwise.

  17. What is a DBQ? The Document-Based Question Explained

    The Document-Based Question Explained. The dreaded DBQ, or "document-based question," is an essay question type on the AP History exams (AP US History, AP European History, and AP World History). For the DBQ essay, you will be asked to analyze some historical issue or trend with the aid of the provided sources, or "documents," as evidence.

  18. How to Write a DBQ Essay: Key Strategies and Tips

    The DBQ, or document-based-question, is a somewhat unusually-formatted timed essay on the AP History Exams: AP US History, AP European History, and AP World History. Because of its unfamiliarity, many students are at a loss as to how to even prepare, let alone how to write a successful DBQ essay on test day. Never fear!

  19. Analyse, Explain, Identify… 22 essay question words

    Essay questions that ask you to 'analyse' a particular topic or argument expect a thorough deconstruction of the essay subject. In other words, this word requires you to break the essay topic down into its fundamental parts. ... Remember to clearly state your position based on all the evidence you present. 8. Examine

  20. Where to Find the Best DBQ Examples

    One of the best ways to prepare for the DBQ (the "document-based question" on the AP European History, AP US History, and AP World History exams) is to look over sample questions and example essays. Doing this will help you to get a sense of what makes a good (and what makes a bad) DBQ response. That said, not all DBQ essay examples are created ...

  21. The Four Main Types of Essay

    Argumentative essays. An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It requires a strong thesis statement—a clearly defined stance on your topic. Your aim is to convince the reader of your thesis using evidence (such as quotations) and analysis.. Argumentative essays test your ability to research and present your own position on a topic.

  22. Short answer and essay questions

    Tips for creating short answer and essay questions. ... for example analysis and explanation of why and how students reached an answer—provides opportunities for reflective questions based on students' own experiences. More quick, focused problem-solving and analysis—conducted with restricted access to limited allocated resources—will ...

  23. How to Write a DBQ Essay (with Pictures)

    Document-Based Questions, or DBQ essays, are often used in social studies classes to test your ability to do historical work rather than simply memorize facts. Start by spending some time reviewing the documents and developing an argument. Pay special attention to keywords in the prompt that will help you construct your argument.

  24. What Is ChatGPT? Everything You Need to Know About the AI Tool

    A Princeton student built an app which can detect if ChatGPT wrote an essay to combat AI-based plagiarism Professors want to 'ChatGPT-proof' assignments, and are returning to paper exams and ...