This document provides guidance on answering essay questions in 5 steps: 1) Analyze the essay question to understand what it is asking. 2) Brainstorm or mind map everything you know about the topic to identify information gaps. 3) Write a theme to provide direction and structure for the essay. 4) Organize the brainstorming into a sequential plan. 5) Write the essay in sections or "chunks" to make the process more manageable.

1. Disability Group Learning Support (DGLS) Answering Essay questions

2. In this session on answering essay questions we will cover: “ unpacking the question” Brainstorming or mind mapping to put down everything you can think of about the topic Writing a theme for your essay to give you direction Organising your brainstorm or mind map into a sequential plan Writing the essay in workable “chunks”

3. “ Unpacking the question” The first thing you must do is to make sure that you understand the question. Many students have problems with essays and examinations by not reading or interpreting the questions properly. You need to take time to analyse the question asked. What are these questions asking you to do? Compare and contrast the yes and no sides on the Lisbon Treaty in 2008. Discuss Ireland’s economic boom in the past 10 years. Outline the major historical events in Europe in the 1940s.

4. “ Unpacking the question” (cont’d) There are basically 5 types of essay, which fall into 2 broad categories: those that inform those that persuade The 5 types of essay are: Those that inform: Expository Explanatory Those that persuade: Interpretive Evaluative Argumentative Hargreaves, Sandra: “Study Skills for Dyslexic Students” page 55, 56 and 58

5. Brainstorming and mind mapping the question After you have figured out what the question is asking you to do, then the next stage is to put everything down you can think of about the topic. This helps you to find out what you already know about the topic and what you need to research. Question: where do you go to get the information you do not have? Depending on your learning style, you can use pen and paper with lots of colour or Inspiration.

6. Writing a theme for your essay to give you direction This gives you direction, which will help you to keep on track and not wander off the topic. The theme can be expanded into the introduction and should cover what you are going to say in the essay. Examples of some themes are: Feminism Capitalism Globalisation Urbanisation Social Inequality Racism

7. Organising your sequential plan: (Cottrell, Sandra: “The Study Skills Handbook” page 147) Writing the essay in workable “chunks” (Hargreaves, Sandra: “Study Skills for Dyslexic Students” page 63)

8. Conclusion You should know how to “unpack the question” You should know how to brainstorm or mind map to put down everything you can think of about the topic You should know how to write a theme for your essay to give you direction You should organise your brainstorm or mind map into a sequential plan You should know how to write an essay in workable “chunks”