You have 90 minutes to write 4 essays. Since each essay is of equal value (10 points), divide your writing time equally. Plan to use 22 minutes per essay. Divide that time into three segments: 3 minutes to read, think about, organize and outline the question; 17 minutes to write the essay; and 2 minutes to read and edit the essay.
• Read each question thoroughly. Be sure that you understand all parts of it.• Outline each answer on your green sheet to help you organize your thoughts and to help you stay on topic while writing.• Write an essay that answers the question thoroughly.
Go into detail as long as it is on the subject and to the point. You only receive points for sentences that specifically answer the question or provide examples. Don’t “shoot the bull” or write innocuous statements about how wonderful nature is. Forget that beautiful introductory paragraph that restates the question and the go right to the meat of the essay; concluding paragraphs are also not necessary - readers consider these “fluff.
” Do, however, write logically and use transitional sentences to begin the next topic.• Divide your essay clearly into the major topics asked for in the question by using paragraphs or giving a section heading to each part. This helps keep the reader’s focus and makes sure you have not forgotten to address all sections of the question. For example, on an essay on evolution, you might be asked to address “Darwin’s Voyage, Scientists Who Influenced His Theory, Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and Evidence to Back up the Theory.” Your essay should then be broken up into 4 major parts, with section headings.• Outlines are unacceptable substitutes for essay and will receive no credit.
Diagrams, however, will receive credit if they are relevant, if they are well-labeled and if they are described in the text of your essay (“see figure 1".) Try to include one in each essay!• Write clearly and neatly using a ball-point pen with black or dark blue ink. Neatly cross out mistakes; there is no need for white-out. Do not write sloppily.
If the grader can’t read what you wrote, you will receive no credit. Don’t write sloppily a term you can’t spell or can’t remember. You will not fool the reader. (Use phonetic spelling for a term you think you know. Explain the concept or structure if you don’t remember the term to describe it.) If you have time, highlight important concepts within the essay after you are finished.
• Do not worry about perfect spelling, grammar or sentence structure. Although these are important, you will not lose points as long as you get your ideas across.• Do not panic or get angry if you think you are unfamiliar with a question. Be calm and think. You will know something about the topic, so write what you know.
In any event, do not give up and leave the question blank. (Remember that there is no penalty for a wrong guess and that each point you earn on an essay is equal to two correct multiple-choice questions.)• If you are given a choice of topics to write about make your choice(s) and stick with them. Don’t second guess yourself halfway through the essay.• If a question asks you to make a relationship between two or more processes or concepts
