Tackling the Essay Questions

I cannot imagine how any strategies I'm giving here differ from what you probably already know - but good, sound strategies are probably worth repeating so here goes...

1. Read the question carefully
Underline/highlight the key words. Read it several times. Make sure you understand what the question is asking you for. In a state of panic/excitement/grogginess your mind sometimes plays tricks on you - you see a key word and your mind races to throw you all the facts you have so diligently memorised, and distracts you from thinking and reading carefully.

2. Jot down very quickly all the facts you recall
This actually gets all that clutter out of your mind and frees up space for you to think clearly and logically.

3. Draft an outline. Plan the essay.
This is such a crucial step. DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF SKIPPING THIS STEP! I will hunt you down and eat you for breakfast. Definitions of the key words is always a good place to start. Look at all the facts you jotted down earlier, see how you can make connections/links in your essay. This is so vital. This is the key factor that separates a good essay with all the facts written down from an excellent essay that shows lots of clear thinking in the way the facts are connected and related to the question. This is how the examiners manage to squeeze a gazillion questions from the same set of facts - listing the facts may help you pass, however demonstrating application of this knowledge through the connections you argue will help you ace the essay.

4. Write the essay: Fact/Explanation/Example
Keep your essay neat and clear by using 1 paragraph per point. Keep your sentences short. Refer to your plan from time to time to make sure you do not stray off-topic.

5. Check, check, check
Read through your essay at least 3 times after you've finished writing it. What exactly are you checking for? Perhaps for the first round you want to ensure that you haven't left out any points from your outline. Then in the second round you check that the facts are accurate. Finally, read the QUESTION again and ask yourself: Does my essay answer the question well?

So there you have it. It seems like a lot to do but really, by the time you sit for your O Levels, you will all be such seasoned essay writers, you'd breeze through one within 20 minutes :)