1. Writing for Essay Tests Increasing your Testing Success

2. Topics Preparing Step-by-Step Process – Getting Started Figuring out the Question Planning – Implementing the Plan – Revising and Editing

3. Preparing Do you already know the topic? – Create and Study an Outline – Address the Question – Write a Practice Essay – Get Feedback

4. Do you not know the topic? – Pick Several Likely Topics – Create and Study Outlines for Each – Write a Practice Essay on the Most Likely – Get Feedback Preparing

5. Getting Started Figure Out the Question… – Carefully Read the Question/Prompt – Underline Each Part of the Question/Prompt – Underline Key Words – Decide What Is Being Asked

6. Once you know the Question(s) … Plan. – Create an Outline in the margin or on extra paper – Develop a Thesis – Include the Key Terms – Address the Question(s) Getting Started

7. Implementing the Plan In your Thesis, Address the Question Directly State the Thesis Up Front Follow your Outline Don’t Worry About Perfection, Just Finishing Include Key Terms

8. Time Management … – More Points = More Time – Harder = More Time – Leave Time for Revising and Editing Implementing the Plan

9. Revising & Editing #1 Priority: Your Answer – Do you address the Question in your Thesis & Supporting ¶s? #2 Priority: Your Answer – Do you include Key Terms and Concepts in Supporting ¶s?

10. Revising & Editing #3 Priority: Clarity – Is the essay organized and easy to follow? #4 Priority: Style – Are the sentences not only clear but also grammatically correct?

11. Revising & Editing Priority #1: Strategy – Can you identify the Question from reading your Thesis? Priority #2: Strategy – Can you identify Definitions or Concepts from reading your body ¶s?

12. Revising & Editing Priority #3: Strategy – Does your essay follow your outline? Can you easily see how one point leads to the next? Does each sentence make sense? Priority #4: Strategy – Read the Essay at least Once

13. Questions?