How to write an essay under exam conditions
This is a full analytical essay, which is written under exam conditions. In this kind of task, you will be required to give a response to a question or statement, using sources provided by your teacher.
You will be required to demonstrate a whole gamut of skills. You will need to:
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respond to stimulus provided for the exam
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use the sources to create a hypothesis in response to the key question/statement
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plan and write a complete essay within the exam time limit
- quote from a wide range of sources
- analyse and evaluate the sources you've used
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correctly reference all sources quoted in your essay
Whilst this seems like a lot to complete in an exam, planning will help accomplish most of this.
Most essay exams provide you with 10 minutes of perusal time. Use this time to plan out your hypothesis, topic sentences and what quotes from the sources you are going to use in each of your body paragraphs.
If you use this time well, your essay writing will remain clearly structured.
Understand the Key Question/Statement
The question or statement will not be provided before the test (therefore, the question is ‘unseen’).
Therefore, it is imperative that you take the time to read and understand what the statement or question is asking you to do before you begin planning your response.
Essay questions use a variety of terms and it is essential you understand what each of these mean if you are to answer properly. Here is a list of the most common terms and what they mean:
| Key Word or Phrase | Explanation |
| Account for | Give reasons why |
| Analyse | Examine to explain meaning, relationships, similarities or differences |
| Argue | Give reasons for or against |
| Assess | Determine the value or significance |
| Causes | What things led to or caused the historical event? |
| Change | What was different as a result of this event or person? |
| Compare | Examine and note similarities |
| Consequence | What happened as a result of the historical event or person |
| Consider | Judge and come to an opinion |
| Continuity | What continued unchanged, or stayed the same? |
| Contrast | Emphasise the differences |
| Discuss | Examine by argument, considering for and against |
| Explain | Offer reasons for |
| How | Explain the process, steps or key events |
| Motive | The reasons people provided for their actions |
| Significance | Why is it important? |
| To what extent | Quantify the importance (to a great extent? to a limited extent?) |
| Why | Explain the motives, reasons or causes |
An Example Planning Structure
Introduction
Hypothesis
Your three main points that your body paragraphs will focus on
Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence
Sources chosen
Analysis and evaluation of sources
Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence
Sources chosen
Analysis and evaluation of sources
Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence
Sources chosen
Analysis and evaluation of sources
Conclusion
Restate hypothesis
Restate three main points that your body paragraphs focused on
Essay paragraph writing advice
How to write an Introductory Paragraph
This page explains the purpose of an introduction, how to structure one and provides examples for you to read.
This page explains the purpose of conclusions, how to structure them and provides examples for you to read.
This page explains the purpose of body paragraphs, how to structure them and provides examples for you to read.
Time Management
Managing the use of your time in an exam is crucial to doing well. Divide the time to make sure you have enough time to write each paragraph.
However, make sure you give yourself time at the end to check your work and proofread your writing.
For example:
If you have a 100-minute exam:
10 mins planning
10 mins for Intro
20 mins for each three Body Paragraphs
10 mins for Conclusion
10 mins proofreading.
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