1. *Short Answer & *Essay Test-Taking Tips
**Short Answer & Essay
Confirm the test
section
Assessments often have many different sections, including
essay, short answer and multiple choice section.
Don’t rush and get confused by answering the essay question
with a short answer and a short answer with an essay.
CONFIRM the test section!
**
Read the question
Read the question carefully, then read it again.
Resist the urge to assume you know what it asks, or you may
read what you assume, instead of what it actually asks.
**
Underline
key words
Search the question for key words and underline them.
Key words tell you what you will write about – usually a
name, date or concept you studied.
Stick to the topic indicated by the key words and
prepare a relevant response.
Resist the urge to include random ideas just to fill up space.
You can lose points that way!
Do not begin a sentence with “I believe” or “In my opinion,”
unless the question clearly asks for your opinion, belief or
personal interpretation.
2. **
Circle action
words
While key words tell you what you will write about,
action words tell you how you will write about the
key words.
Short Answer questions will ask you to present
information in a particular way like “define”, “state”,
“list”, “compare”, or “name”.
Short answer questions often have more than 1
action word, for example, “Name the author of the
following passage, and list three other works by that
author.”
Circle each action word and address each in your
response.
Short answers generally ask factual type information.
Essay questions look for deeper analysis and more
thorough demonstration of knowledge.
Essay questions action words are “analyze”, “compare
and contrast”, “defend”, “refute”, “discuss and
compare”, “state the cause and effect of”, “evaluate”,
and “summarize”.
Develop a mental bank of words or phrases that
support certain action words:
Example: For “compare and contrast”, use phrases
like “By contrast”, “in comparison”, or “on the other
hand”, “likewise”, or “similarly” in your response.
3. *Short Answer only
Write 3-6
sentences
Generally, 3-6 content rich sentences are the norm for short
answers. Some of your teachers may be specific with how
many they want. Listen!
Short answers generally ask for factual information, not a
lengthy analysis.
A short answer test may ask you to list items, dates, names
or steps. Concise answers are best.
*
No BLANKS
If you can’t answer a question, try scanning other questions
and parts of the test. Something you see there may activate
your schema and trigger enough recall for an answer.
Write down whatever you know that’s relevant to the
question: a name, date, fact, place related vocabulary word or
event, and hope for partial credit.
DO NOT LEAVE AN ANSWER BLANK or you will lose
points.
*Essay Only
Brainstorm
No matter how concerned you are with the time, do not
jump right in and start writing. “Stream of
consciousness” writing usually ends up with the writer
writing themselves into a corner, or failing to address the
prompt.
Expositive essays require thought, organization and structure.
First, get your schema on! Brainstorm what you know about
the topic. Jot down words, ideas, details and facts. Use a
mind map. Reread the question and think through your
answer from intro to your conclusion.
4. *Essay Only
Create a 5-
paragraph essay
outline
Critics of five-paragraph essay say it is too formulaic and
stifles creativity. Expositive essays, however, need a
structured, informative style. The easy to follow, five
paragraph essay provides this.
Once you have brainstormed and thought through your
answer, organize the ideas and facts into a basic outline.
Neatness is not the priority! The purpose is to provide
structure and direction for your essay.
Include an introduction with one sentence thesis statement
and three subtopics. List supporting details for the subtopics
and conclude with a summary.
I – Introduction/Thesis
A. Subtopic
1. Idea
2. Detail/Example
B. Subtopic
1. Idea
2. Detail/Example
C. Subtopic
1. Idea
2. Detail/Example
II - Conclusion
*Essay Only
Get Writing!
Fold the subtopics from your outline into your essay. Develop
ideas and details more thoroughly and provide examples.
At the end of each subtopic paragraph, include a transition
sentence leading the reader (teacher) to the next subtopic.
Conclude with a brief summary.
5. **
Proof
No matter how tired you are of writing, or how much you
want to finish up and get out of there, proof your essay.
Check for correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Check for clarity. Does it make sense?
If you run out of time, jot down the rest of your answer in
bullet points.
Use proofing symbols to keep edits and additions neat and
legible.
6. Essay – 5 paragraph essay is adequate for middle. Practice, practice, practice! Once you are
comfortable with it, use it as a foundation for developing a more sophisticated and flexible writing
style for upper and college.
Introduce the Topic/Thesis
• State and develop your
idea
• Provide details or
examples
ü Transition Sentence
• State and develop your
idea
• Provide details or
examples
ü Transition Sentence
• State and develop your
idea
• Provide details or
examples
ü Transition Sentence
Conclude with a summary
