Free Response Questions
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 ballpoint pen with black or dark blue ink. Neatly
cross out mistakes; there is no need for whiteout. 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 and you aren’t sure you know, at least tell what you DO know
about each process or concept individually.