Any question can be broken down into three parts:
These are the words that tell you what to do, they are action words.
Example question:
Describe the basic operating principle of a fuel cell, taking one specific fuel cell type as your example. Discuss the inherent advantages and disadvantages of the fuel cell incomparison with a conventional internal combustion engine. |
Other action words would include:
analyse |
argue |
compare |
contrast |
|
describe |
discuss |
evaluate |
examine |
identify |
illustrate |
interpret |
justify |
outline |
review |
|
summerize |
|
The key concepts or subject matter are the main focus of your essay. If you are unable to recognise the key concepts then you will have missed the point of the assignment.
The key concepts will provide the subject matter in general terms.
Example question:
Describe the basic operating principle of a fuel cell, taking one specific fuel cell type as your example. Discuss the inherent advantages and disadvantages of the fuel cell in comparison with a conventional internal combustion engine. |
Relationship and identification words help you 'drill down' from a general topic to more specific areas.
Example question:
Describe the basic operating principle of a fuel cell, taking one specific fuel cell type as your example. Discuss the inherent advantages and disadvantages of the fuel cell in comparison with a conventional internal combustion engine. |
Here are examples of various essay questions:
In the above examples, what do the colours signify? Select either A) , B) or C) by clicking on the letter.
A) Directional Key Concepts RELATIONSHIPS
B) Directional Key Concepts RELATIONSHIPS
C) Directional KEY CONCEPTS Relationships
Once you have checked your answer, you have completed this section.
The correct answer is:
Directional Key Concepts RELATIONSHIPS
Read the text below to learn how to formulate first class answers. Here is a question from a paper on the psychology of child development.
Compare and contrast the consequences of blindness and deafness for language development. |
This is how students who gained different degree classifications seem to have interpreted the question.
‘Identify the consequences of blindness and deafness for language development. Compare and contrast these consequences, drawing conclusions about the nature of language development. Comment on the adequacy of theories of language development in the light of your conclusions.’
‘Identify the consequences of blindness and deafness for language development. Compare and contrast these consequences.’
‘List some of the features of blindness and deafness. List some consequences for development including a few for language development.’
‘Write down almost anything you can think of about blindness, deafness, child development and language development. Do not draw any justified conclusions.’
Examples taken from: Habeshaw, T. et al. (1995) 53 interesting ways of helping your students to study. Technical and Educational Services Ltd, Bristol.
Once you have checked your answer, you have completed this section.
Well Done! That was a first class answer. Read the text below to learn more about how to formulate first class answers.
The following is a question from a paper on the psychology of child development:
‘Compare and contrast the consequences of blindness and deafness for language development.' |
This is how students who gained different degree classifications seem to have interpreted the question.
First class
‘Identify the consequences of blindness and deafness for language development. Compare and contrast these consequences, drawing conclusions about the nature of language development. Comment on the adequacy of theories of language development in the light of your conclusions.’
Upper second class
‘Identify the consequences of blindness and deafness for language development. Compare and contrast these consequences.’
Lower second class
‘List some of the features of blindness and deafness. List some consequences for development including a few for language development.’
Third class
‘Write down almost anything you can think of about blindness, deafness, child development and language development. Do not draw any justified conclusions.’
Once you have checked your answer, you have completed this section.