Essay Questions A guide

Essay Questions  Essay questions are looking for an answer in greater depth on a topic.  The material for the answers to the question can all be found in the course texts.  You can supplement this with material from outside sources, but will not necessarily gain extra marks.  It depends on the relevance and use you make of material

Guidelines for writing  Read the given title or tasks carefully  Be sure you are clear what is being asked  Gather your information  Keep notes of sources and information  Produce an outline plan  Write a draft - this need not be too neat  Read through your draft and make changes as needed  Submit when you are satisfied

Look at the question  The words used in the title give a clue to what is needed  A factual account will contain words like describe, explain, Illustrate in the title.  An essay want a case making will contain words like discuss, evaluate, analyse.  Sometimes comparisons are wanted; e.g. compare, contrast, distinguish.

Format and content  Write in continuous prose  Begin with a title  Start with an introduction to set the scene  Finish with a conclusion to sum up  Reference your sources – even if it's just the course texts  Make use of quantitative data in your discussion  Stick to the word limit (see next slide)‏

Word limits  Word limits for TMAs 1 – 5 are typically 1000 – 1200 words  You are allowed 10% leeway either side, say 900 – 1300 words  Answers outside this length will be penalised  Though very short answers often penalise themselves  Include a word count in your answer

Other general points  Read the question carefully  Stick to the question asked. Straying off the point will cost you marks  Do plan your answer.  Make sure you have included all the points you wanted to make  Do read through your answer before submitting. Check for:  Unnecessary repetition  Consistency and coherence  That your answer makes sense

References  References indicate your sources and provide authority for your evidence.  References may be used to  justify and support your arguments  enable comparisons with other research  express things better than you can  demonstrate familiarity with the field of research  You should avoid using references to  impress readers with the scope of your reading  name drop  as a replacement for expressing your own thoughts  misrepresent other authors.

Using references  References comprise two parts  The citation in the text  The list of references or bibliography at the end  The citation alerts the reader to the source you have consulted for this particular piece of evidence.  The list of references enables the reader to go and read the original source, should they so wish.  So; both are essential.

Citing References  By name (The Harvard System)‏  Smith (2000) showed that...  It has be argued that … (Jones 1999)‏  With multiple authors list both authors if there are two or use et al after the first author’s name for more than two  The Number system  Smith (6) showed that …  It has been argued that 7 …  Only use superscripts if they are not to be used for other purposes.

Listing References (Bibliography) ‏  Citing by name  List in alphabetical order of first author’s name  Single authors before joint authors, date order (a, b, c etc for more than one in a year).  Either  Numbered in order of first appearance in text  Or  Numbered in alphabetical order

Advantages/Disadvantages  Harvard system  Authors name serves as a reminder  Easy to Add/removing citations  Can make text look cluttered & interrupt flow  Number system  Takes little space  less distracting for reader  Adding/removing citations involves renumbering.  Use the endnote feature in your WP  Use whichever you feel comfortable with, but be consistent