WRITING FOR WINNERS: 7 WAYS TO MAKE ESSAYS NOT-SO-SCARY


Do you remember what it was like to take an essay exam—the clammy forehead and sweaty palms? Essay exams have been known to strike fear in the hearts of even the most adept test-takers because they require more in-depth knowledge about a subject than true/false or multiple-choice questions. To help ease the anxiety, use these tips to help your child prepare for an essay exam.
  1. Study, study, study! Educated guessing won’t help on this kind of exam. It may seem obvious, but to ease the pressure and avoid pre-test panic attacks, make sure your child spends enough time studying to feel confident about the material.


  2. During the test, budget time wisely. Tests are often timed, and precious seconds can turn into panic-stricken minutes. Make sure your child knows not to spend too long on any one question. Suggest that he starts by reading all of the questions, and answers the ones for which he is most prepared first. Writing the most important points at the beginning of the essay is a good way to make sure that they are included.


  3. Jot down a few key points. Help eliminate your child’s urge to plunge directly into writing. Stress the importance of taking a few minutes to jot down a brief outline to organize his thoughts. It will help ensure that your child includes the most important points.


  4. Understand the test question. Your child should understand exactly what the essay question asks. If further clarification from the teacher is needed, your child should feel comfortable enough to ask a question. Also, before the test, review the meanings of the words that your child might find in the test instructions, such as compare, contrast, illustrate and summarize. Understanding these words is crucial to ace an essay test.


  5. Get to the point! Because teachers have lots of exams to grade and will not spend hours searching for a hidden answer, your child should directly address the question in the very first sentence of his answer and then provide more details. When adding supporting information use transitional phrases such as “First” and “In conclusion” for clarity.


  6. Write legibly. A well-written essay will be wasted if the instructor cannot read your child’s handwriting. During a timed test, it is easy to write too fast. It is important that your child write legibly so the teacher can fully appreciate what your child has written.


  7. Proofread the essay. If time permits, at the end of the test, it is a good idea that your child spends a moment reading over what he has written. Tell him to pay attention to facts, spelling, punctuation and grammar. These are details that make the difference between an “A” and a “B!”


By Kara Murphy