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Exam and assignment questions
The following list suggests ways to write clearer exam and assignment questions.
- Use a clear sentence structure. The more complex the sentence, the greater the cognitive load for the reader or listener.
Poor example
In order to get full depreciation on the capital investments for the year ending 2006, Clayfield Products Ltd, a subsidiary of Crockpots Inc, paid $40,000 for the X21 model assembly machine which had an estimated business life of three years on 1st July 2006.
Simpler version
Clayfield Products paid $40,000 for the X21 model assembly machine, which had an estimated business life of three years on 1st July 2006. They were then able to get full depreciation on their capital investments for the year ending 2006.
- Use high-frequency words where the words are non-discipline specific.
For example
limit rather than hinder
- Use the active voice where possible and specify who is doing the action.
Passive voice
An interim dividend of 5 cents per share was announced on 5th February 2003 and (was) paid to eligible shareholders on the share register on the 10th February.
Active voice
The Acme Company announced an interim dividend of 5 cents per share on 5th February 2003. They paid this to eligible shareholders on the share register on the 10th February.
Passive voice
Who is not complying?
Non-compliance with company guidelines will hinder chances of promotion.
Active voice
The employees are clearly the agents of the action.
If employees do not comply with company guidelines, they will limit their chances of promotion.
- Avoid overusing abstract nouns.
Examples:
Utilisation, conceptualisation.
Verbs make it easier to see what is happening and who is doing what.
- Avoid overusing extended groups of nouns like these mutually reinforcing endeavours, the absorption of cutting edge technology.
Possible alternative
It can be useful to hyphenate noun groups used as adjectives: computer-integrated manufacturing.
- Avoid using metaphor. Students with learning disabilities may interpret the meaning literally. Students who are not fluent in English may misinterpret the dictionary meaning.
Examples:
Putting the squeeze on incomes, things are getting tight around here.
- Break up long paragraphs into shorter ones; use commas to break sentences into meaningful chunks.
Sample sentence
In Accounting and Finance research situations often arise where hypotheses are formed about the various stages of auditing events.
With a comma
The comma is needed here to make the meaning clearer.
In Accounting and Finance research, situations often arise where hypotheses are formed about the various stages of auditing events.
- Be consistent in formatting and use lots of 'white space'.
- Use gender-inclusive language and avoid stereotyping.
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