When writing an essay exam, it is always essential you do things the right way. If you do not, the outcomes can be devastating. Chances are you will find yourself frustrated in school and not getting the grades you need or expect, and even getting failing your classes. The student would be advised to follow certain steps in writing an essay exam.

1. Set up a Time Schedule

If you have ten question to be answered within an hour, you should give five minutes for each. When the time is up for one question, stop writing and begin the next one. There will be 10 minutes remaining when the last question is completed. The incomplete answers can be completed during the time. Six incomplete answers, by the way, will usually receive more credit than three completed ones. Of course, if one question is worth more points than the others you allow more time to write it.

2. Read Through the Questions Once

Answers will come to mind immediately for some questions Write down key words, listings, etc. now when they’re fresh in mind. Otherwise these ideas may be blocked (or be unavailable) when the time comes to write the later questions. This will reduce “clutching” or panic (Anxiety, actually fear which disrupts thoughts).

3. Look at the Directive Words Before Answering a Question

Your instructor may give you specific directions how to write your answer. If he/she wants you to evaluate a philosophical theory, you won’t get full credit if you describe just the theory. Make sure you know what you are being asked to do.

4. Outline the Answer Before Writing

Whether the teacher realizes it or not, he/she is greatly influenced by the compactness and clarity of an organized answer. To begin writing in the hope that the right answer will somehow turn up is time consuming and usually futile. To know a little and to present that little well is, by and large, superior to knowing much and presenting it poorly–when judged by the grade it receives. Be sure to follow the directive words, and check your outline to see that it is logical.

5. Take Time to Write an Introduction and Summary

The introduction will consist of the main point to be made; the summary is simply a paraphrasing of the introduction. A neat bundle with a beginning and ending is very satisfying to the reader. Be sure that your answer is direct and really answers the question.

6. Take Time to Review the Paper

When writing in haste we tend to:

Misspell words
Omit words or parts
Omit parts of questions
Misstate dates and figures (1353 written as 1953; $.60 as $60)

7. Qualify Answers When in Doubt

It is better to say “Toward the end of the 19th century” then to say “in 1894″ when you can’t remember whether it’s 1884 or 1894, though approximate, may be incorrect, and will usually be marked accordingly. When possible, avoid very definite statements. A qualified statement connotes a philosophic attitude, the mark of an educated man.

For *Essay* Questions

The following words are commonly found in essay test questions. Understanding them is essential to success on these kinds of questions. Study this sheet thoroughly. Know these words backwards and forwards.

ANALYZE: Break into separate parts and discuss, examine, or interpret each part.
COMPARE: Examine two or more things. Identify similarities and differences. Comparisons generally ask for similarities more than differences. (See Contrast.)
CONTRAST: Show differences. Set in opposition.
CRITICIZE: Make judgments. Evaluate comparative worth. Criticism often involves analysis.
DEFINE: Give the meaning; usually a meaning specific to the course of subject. Determine the precise limits of the term to be defined. Explain the exact meaning. Definitions are usually short.
DESCRIBE: Give a detailed account. Make a picture with words. List characteristics, qualities and parts.
DISCUSS: Consider and debate or argue the pros and cons of an issue. Write about any conflict. Compare and contrast.
ENUMERATE: List several ideas, aspects, events, things, qualities, reasons, etc.
EVALUATE: Give your opinion or cite the opinion of an expert. Include evidence to support the evaluation.
ILLUSTRATE: Give concrete examples. Explain clearly by using comparisons or examples.
INTERPRET: Comment upon, give examples, describe relationships. Explain the meaning. Describe, then evaluate.
OUTLINE: Describe main ideas, characteristics, or events. (Does not necessarily mean *write a Roman numeral/letter outline*.)
PROVE: Support with facts (especially facts presented in class or in the test).
STATE: Explain precisely.
SUMMARIZE: Give a brief, condensed account. Include conclusions. Avoid unnecessary details.
TRACE: Show the order of events or progress of a subject or event.

Having a positive attitude plays an important role in our lives. Whether we are always thinking positively or negatively, it takes about the same amount of energy. But the difference in results are like night and day. The constant negative thoughts can keep us suppressed and most generally will lead us to failure. On the other hand, an upbeat, positive attitude can just as easily bring into our lives all of the wonderful things that we may so desire.

Using affirmation is a great way to overcome negative thinking in your life. An affirmation is an declaration that something is true. For example, you may be having trouble finding employment after graduating from college. You stumble upon a site that show you ways to improve your life using affirmations. After taking notes, you decide to affirm that you have a great job working with people who are very kind and helpful. After a few months of using that affirmation, you get a call from human resources requesting your presence for an interview.

A few ways of creating a positive attitude and maintaining a positive state of mind may be to create a journal that you can write into on a daily basis. By maintaining and repeating daily entries of the things in your life that you are most grateful for, will begin establishing a pattern of positive thoughts and also in time you’ll find yourself adding more things that you’re even more grateful for, thus expanding on your newly created thinking process. In another journal, you may want to make daily entries of all the good things that happened in you life that day. This again, will begin creating new positive thoughts and thinking patterns. You may also want to insure that you’re eating as healthy as possible and that you’re getting plenty of rest. Getting daily exercise has also been found helpful.

Goals setting a another form of positive thinking that will enhance your life. Set long term and short term goals to help you achieve greatness in your life. When you set goals, you focus your attention on what is positive. It helps you to get your mind off of your problems. Goal setting and affirmations work together. You need to have a goal before your are able to use your daily affirmations.

Another suggestion may be to meditate. Even just a few minutes a day of complete relaxation and self reflection can make a difference. Another proven idea may be to work on becoming a bit more observant of your thoughts. By doing so, you are in a better position to stop the negative thoughts before you finish a sentence and replace them instantly with a positive affirmation. Again, you’re recreating your thinking process from the negative into the positive.

Remember to never give up on your hopes and dreams. No matter how hard things may be at the time, always believe in yourself. You don’t have to live in sadness, lack or anger because of the problems that you are facing. When times get tough and you are searching for a way out of turmoil, use the power of positive thinking. It will turn a frown into a smile. It will turn your negative into a positive. Make a decision today to use positive thinking and it will change your life inside and out.