1. PAIS
EXAM WRITING WORKSHOP
Dr. Samantha Cooke

2. STRUCTURE
Before
Revision
Strategies
During
Writing smart

3. THE HANDBOOK SAYS NO!
‘Students may not repeat the substance of arguments, supporting reasoning or evidence first used in an Assessed Essay in a second Assessed Essay or the subsequent Examination for the module in question, or in Examinations or Assessments for any other PAIS module (including the Dissertation). Repeating material between Assessments and Examinations will be treated by markers in the same way as repeating answers within an examination, and marked accordingly. It is acceptable to use arguments or reasoning first developed in Non-assessed (Formative) Essays in subsequent Examinations, as in this case you are not marked twice on the same material.’

5. Pre-exam: Revision, Revision, Revision
Rule:
Don’t work hard, work smart

6. MAKE A SCHEDULE Important and necessary Breaks down larger task
Early birds vs. Night owls
Break up your day

8. This is how you find them…
PAST PAPERS
This is how you find them…

9. Method… Techniques Location Regular breaks Group
What does (not) work for you?
Location
Public/private
Noise level
Regular breaks
Group
Shut up and write style session?

10. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY It’s all about YOU!
8 good hours vs. 16 bad hours
Food
Hydration
Relaxation
Exercise
It’s all about YOU!

11. ANY QUESTIONS?

12. Exam
Answer the question
Argument
Clear structure

13. THE ‘DON’T’ LIST No waffling Don’t repeat lectures
Don’t be boring or unoriginal
Don’t give us a 50% for/50% against answer
Don’t leave the question unanswered
Don’t panic!

14. BEFORE & DURING Skeleton answer Write a plan before you answer
Adapt to the question
Allow plenty of time to write!

15. THE BUSINESS OF EXAMS Ignore everyone else Be time savvy
Quality over quantity
Stay focused

16. Exam Nerves

17. DON’T BE DESCRIPTIVE Analysis is key! What are your thoughts?
Challenge the experts!
(Analytically, not confrontationally)

18. DOING WELL… Key terms E.g. ‘discourse’, ‘reflexivity’, ‘the subject’
Be concise
Make sure you have…
Argument
Structure
Literature 