1. © 2000 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. College Writing Skills, 5E and College Writing Skills with Readings, 5E John Langan Taking Essay Exams Chapter Seventeen Taking Essay Exams

2. College Writing Skills/ College Writing Skills with Readings, 5E © 2000 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 17 Taking Essay Exams Anticipate Step 1: Anticipate 10 Probable Questions Prepareand Memorize Step 2: Prepare and Memorize an Informal Outline Answer for Each Read Step 3: Read the Exam Carefully Outline Step 4: Outline Your Answer Write Step 5: Write a Clear, Well-Organized Essay

3. College Writing Skills/ College Writing Skills with Readings, 5E © 2000 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 17 Anticipate 10 Probable Questions Step 1 : Anticipate 10 Probable Questions Go through your class notes and your text, deriving probable exam questions from the following: topics on which instructor has spent much class time class time definitions, exampleslists of items definitions, examples, and lists of items quizzesquestions from quizzes study guidequestions in the study guide (if applicable) class review material class review material (if applicable)

4. College Writing Skills/ College Writing Skills with Readings, 5E © 2000 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 17 Prepareand Memorize an Informal Outline Answer for Each Step 2: Prepare and Memorize an Informal Outline Answer for Each Write out each question you have made up, and main pointsunder each, list the main points that need to be discussed; supporting informationadd important supporting information after each main point; key wordpick out a key word in each part, catchphraseand make up a catchphrase to help you memorize the whole thing.

5. College Writing Skills/ College Writing Skills with Readings, 5E © 2000 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 17 Prepareand Memorize an Informal Outline Answer for Each Step 2: Prepare and Memorize an Informal Outline Answer for Each For Example: Common sources of stress: P 1. P ressure (internal and external) A 2. A nxiety (sign of internal conflict) F 3. F rustration (cant reach desired goal) C 4. C onflict (three types of approach-avoidance) PAFC Catchphrase: P eople A re F unny C reatures

6. College Writing Skills/ College Writing Skills with Readings, 5E © 2000 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 17 Read the Exam Carefully Step 3 : Read the Exam Carefully Read all the questions 1. Read all the questions carefully. Note direction words 2. Note direction words ( compare, illustrate, list, etc.) and be prepared to respond appropriately. Budget your time. 3. Budget your time. Write in the margin the number of minutes you should spend on each question. Check your watch. Start with the easiest question 4. Start with the easiest question, being sure to number your answers clearly.

7. College Writing Skills/ College Writing Skills with Readings, 5E © 2000 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 17 Outline Your Answer Step 4 : Outline Your Answer jot down the main points Use the margin of your paper or a piece of scratch paper to jot down the main points you want to discuss for each question. informal outline Re-read them and organize appropriately, creating an informal outline. catchphrase key words If you have correctly anticipated a question, jot down your catchphrase in the margin. Work backwards to the key words, and finally to the informal outline you created at home.

8. College Writing Skills/ College Writing Skills with Readings, 5E © 2000 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 17 Write a Clear, Well-Organized Essay Step 5 : Write a Clear, Well-Organized Essay UNITY UNITY : Start your essay with a sentence that clearly states what your answer will be about. Then make sure all your points relate to this opening sentence. SUPPORT SUPPORT : Provide as much support for your points as time allows. COHERENCE: COHERENCE: Provide transitions to guide your reader through your answer. SENTENCE SKILLS SENTENCE SKILLS : Leave time to proofread. Make corrections clearly.