Final Reminders

Writing Essays in the Examination
& Exam Tips

What follow are suggested approaches on writing essays in examination situations:
You are advised to follow these steps in writing your answer.

Step 1- Understand Question
- Check the question carefully, underlining key words.
- Be 100% sure that you know exactly what the examiner wants you to do.
- Many essays are failed because they are off the topic, although the candidate has shown wide knowledge of the book.

Step 2- Plan Question (in 5 min)
- Now, plan your essay. It may seem that time is very short, but a well-planned essay will be written much more easily than one where you are struggling to think of ideas as you write.
Organise Your Points
- Any essay topic should fall naturally into some kind of logical form or order.
- Try to allot one paragraph for each major point you want to make.


For instance, if you are asked to show how Lennie's urge to pet things builds up from small things to bigger ones, a possible arrangement would be:
- Previously he 'petted' a piece of velvet given to him by Aunt Clara
- At the start he has a dead mouse in his pocket
- Pets puppy which Slim gives him, and kills it. Dream of having rabbits to tend and pet.
- 'Pets' Curley's wife, and accidentally kills her.

Think of Quotations
- As you plan, try to think of quotations that are relevant to your topic.
- Jot them down also.
- It doesn't matter if it is not a long or complete quote, but it should be fully relevant

- You won't get marks for writing down all the quotations from the book that you have learnt - only those you use to back up some point that you are making.- e.g. show that Lennie has the mind of a child.

- Ans 1: Lennie has the mind of a child. (‘Lennie said, ‘Look. George. Look what I done’) (not a good answer)
- Ans 2: Lennie has the mind of a child. This is seen when he makes water ripples and watches them while asking George to look at what he has done, the way a child would to a parent after he had done something to be proud of. (good answer)


Almost as good as a quotation is a precise example from the text. The body of your essay should fall into the pattern of: Point - Evidence -Explanation- Point – Evidence- Explanation - Link

If you can help it, never make an unsupported statement.
E.g Ques: Show how the characters of Lennie and George are different from each other.
- Ans 1: Lennie is very trusting but George is very cautious. (answer is too brief)
- Ans 2: Lennie is very trusting as he listens to George whenever George tells him to do something.George is very cautious as he teaches Lennie how to protect himself from danger. (answer is slightly relevant but not focused enough)
- Ans 3: Lennie is very trusting – he listens to George and obeys whatever George tells him. For instance, he agrees to keep silent no matter what just because George tells him so. George, on the other hand is very cautious, and is constantly seen trying to protect Lennie and himself from danger. From the way he cautiously tastes the water before drinking it, to how he instructs Lennie to find his way back to the brush in case of trouble, we know he is a cautious man who prepares himself for any trouble he foresees getting into. (a thorough answer)

Exam Tips
Many of the following tips apply to other exams as well as Literature. Perhaps the most valuable tip of all is to keep calm and use your head in every situation - you cannot possibly do your best if you are in a state of panic.

- Make sure before the exam that you know exactly how many questions you must answer (and from what sections). If possible, check out last year's paper.
- Read all instructions carefully - very carefully.
- Remember you have exactly 30 minutes to answer each essay question - maybe a little more if you can finish the context question in good time.


- Write neatly (in dark ink), set out your answers carefully, and check the numbers of questions. Small things, but important!
- Write on the point! This is THE major fault of weak students. You can retell the whole story, but it will gain you no marks if the question asks for a discussion of themes or character.
- If you are running short of time, do not give up, and do not leave out a question entirely. Even a few hurried sentences may contain enough points to earn valuable marks. Keep writing up to the end of the exam.


- Take the time to plan your essay before beginning to write. It may seem like a waste of time, but believe me, it is well worth it.
- Don't try to write a draft and then rewrite a good copy time is just too precious!
- Don't try to bluff the examiner by writing around the point. Examiners don't bluff easily!

What examiners look for:
Knowledge
- A good student shows that he knows the text well by using precise references, and even quotations.
- Of course, this knowledge is only rewarded if it is relevant to the question.

Understanding
The student must also show understanding of the events in the text.
- It is no good 'knowing' that George shot Lennie without 'understanding' the reasons behind it, and what it reveals about George's character.

Response
- By this the examiners mean your own reaction to the text. They want to see that you can do more than just parrot what your teachers and your guide-books
- Try to give a genuine response to the question, revealing what you think and feel.