For every test you take this year, you will have an essay question to answer. I have often found that students dread essay questions. I can understand why. Unlike other types of questions (such as multiple choice, matching or true/false) there’s really no way to guess on an essay. You’re on your own, and I sympathize. However, I believe that learning to write an organized and convincing essay is one the most important skills you should take away from a history course, so we’re going to work on it all year. These guidelines here will help you prepare for essay questions.
Organization is the key to effective essay writing. There are several ways I will help you get organized. First, I will always give out essay questions the day before the test (sometimes even earlier). Second, I will usually let you choose from several possible questions. Third, I will let you bring one notecard to the exam (4" x 6" or equivalent amount of paper) with notes about your essay. Fourth, I require to write your essays in a certain way. Your essay must include these three parts:
1. an introduction. You will began your essay by describing the question. You will also provide a general sense of your answer and you will note the specific topics you will discuss.
2. a main body Here you will discuss each of the topics listed in your introduction, using specific evidence. The main body may be as short as a paragraph, or, if you have a lot of information on your topics, each topic can have a separate paragraph. The main body should have as much detail as you can provide. Everything you discuss here should include two parts: a relevant point and evidence for that point. What do I mean by this? Well, "relevant point" means that everything you discuss should be related to the question I have asked. If the question is about Julius Caesar, every point you make should connected to Caesar. As for "evidence," if you state as a point that "Julius Caesar was a violent man" then you have to go on to show specific things he did that were violent.
3. a conclusion Here you will sum up your essay. Review your general answer to the question and the main points of it. Often my instructions will ask for your opinion on an idea related to the essay. Give that opinion in the conclusion.
Some other guidelines:
Last Page Update: December 2005