Strategies for short-answer and essay questions

Handling the question

• Check that you have identified the direction words, the content words which identify the precise topic of the question, and any limiting words such as: always, since WW2, in Australia.
• What assumptions are present in the question?
• What stance/point of view have you adopted?

Planning

• Have you used individuality in planning your answer? Will the examiner be able to distinguish your exam favourably from all the exams in the class?
• Have you included all aspects of the question?
• Can the examiner identify your plan?

Paragraph structure

• Are all your major ideas related to the question theme?
• Are they in proper sequence?
• Are there clear topic sentences?

Language and sentence structure

• Check spelling, punctuation, capitals, consistency of names, and details. Check that no words have been left out.
• Check for clarity and precision.
• Consider the examiner's expectations in relation to the exam quesitons. Are you expected to present the data or accept it as given and focus on interpretation?

Logical connectives

Check that you have made your meaning clear by using:

• Signposting words or phrases such as: first, next, finally, etc.
• Repetition. This distinction can be made even clearer by ...
• Ideas, reworded and redirected. Another difference, which relates more to x than y, is ...