The Student Learning Advisory Service
(SLAS)
Essays in Exams
Canterbury
ValueMaP
March 2013
• Email : [email protected]
• Phone: 01227 82(4016)
Medway
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone 01634 88(8884)
Steve Cope
www.twitter.com/unikentSLAS
www.facebook.com/unikentSLAS
Strategies for Revision
Agenda
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Structure of Exams
Read the paper/look at the weighting
Individual exam essays
Unpack/identify the question
Exam essay plans
Check your TEA CUPS
Structure of Exam essay
Paragraphs in exam essays
What do the examiners like & do not like
If you get stuck •
Study old exam papers and specimen papers thoroughly
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Carefully select the parts of the course you intend to
revise
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Make a timetable for revising
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Seek out the central questions in each parts of the
course you have chosen to revise *
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Condense the content of your chosen sections into very
brief summarising notes
What are examiners looking for?
Strategies for Revision
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Think up questions you might be asked
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Practise jotting down outlines for answers to questions
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Practise writing out one or two questions against the
clock
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Work together
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Different perspectives
Different information
More enjoyable
Keep in touch with friends and tutors to broaden your
ideas and maintain contact with reality
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A thoughtful, reasoned response
A response that shows you have learnt from the
course
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A response that shows you can apply your
knowledge
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Focus on the question!
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Not a full coursework essay
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But similar standards of independence and
evaluation *
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NB Examiners look to award marks, not remove
them!
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Tips & Tricks
Reading the rubric
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
• Look at weighting
>‘strong’ questions first
LW508/09
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
LEVEL I EXAMINATION
LAW
CRIMINAL LAW
• Be aware of timing
Friday, 29 May 2009: 14.00 – 17.00
• Plan time for each answer
• 1 hour essay = 10 + 45 + 5
• Follow all instructions
• White space on the page (lines/paras)
There are TEN questions. There are TWO sections, A and B. Candidates should answer
Three questions; including at least ONE question from section A and at least ONE
question from section B.
All questions will be weighted equally in marking.
Material used in answer to one question should not substantially duplicated in answer to
another.
A list of cases and statutes is provided.
Reading the rubric
Analysing the question
University of Kent
LW588/09
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
LEVEL H EXAMINATION
LAW
PUBLIC LAW
Wednesday, 27 May 2009: 14.00 – 17.00
There are THREE questions. Candidates should answer all THREE questions.
All answers will be weighted equally in marking.
Material used in one answer should not be substantially duplicated in answer to another.
Candidates are supplied with an extract from Karl Klare (1998) Legal Culture and
Transformative Constitutionalism SAJHR
Answers
subject? What is the question about - in broad terms.?
key verb(s)? What is the key instruction - what does the
examiner expect you to write?
key aspect(s)? Identify which aspects of the main topic need
to be addressed.
other significant words? Any other significant words anything else that needs to be taken into consideration in
planning the answer.
What is the subject?
What are the key verb(s)?
What are the key instruction
verbs?
What are the key aspect(s)?
Any other significant words?
Questioning the question
Apply to this Example
In what circumstances is there criminal liability for omissions
in English law?
p. 101
• subject? :
*
• key verb(s)?:
*
• key instruction verbs:
*
• key aspect(s)?:
*
• other significant words?:
*
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Spot the difference?
Understand Key Instruction Verbs
Analyse
Compare and contrast
Describe
Discuss
Evaluate
Examine
Explore
Summarise
To what extent …
and many more!
1.
Describe the main features of alternative medicine.
2.
Evaluate the main features of alternative medicine.
3.
Analyse the main features of alternative medicine.
4.
How would you analyse the main features of alternative
medicine?
ACTIVITY: What is the difference?
Individual exam essays
Questioning the Question
To what extent did the British public participate in the
political process during the 1980s?
Who/what is the British public?
Who can participate?
What is meant by political process?
How can one participate in a political process?
What politics, political events & processes were there during the
1980s?
party in power, national & global events
• Problem questions
• Essay questions
In what circumstances is there criminal liability for omissions in English
law?
P. 101
> Brainstorm ideas
Individual exam essays contd.
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Check you understand the question
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Make immediate notes of things you don’t want to
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Underline key words/phrases
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Look for key instructions
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Mind-map/ rapid-plan main ideas
forget
• e.g. ideas/key points/ data/authors/case-studies
e.g. compare
• Make links to module *
• Draw up essay/answer plan * (also slide 16)
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Check plan against title - answers
whole question?
Check your TEA CUPS
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Theories
Evidence/ examples
Authorities/ representatives
Connections
Understanding
Position/ argument
• Sign posting/ structure
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Exam essay plans
Paragraphs in exam essays
• Use Rapid Information Production (RIP)/brain
maps to record relevant information
• Supplement this with detailed plans
Each paragraph in the development
should contain-
– one main topic sentence
– supporting sentences that expand and
explain the topic sentence
– evidence
– evaluation of evidence
– links to subsequent
paragraph(s)/concluding sentence
– Logical order of points
– Systematic focus on question
• Possible model? Using paragraph structure
(H/O for TEA CUPS) outline draft topic
sentences & supporting evidence
Structure of Exam essay
Writing the exam essay
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• Introduction
– Link to module
– Set the scene,
– Interpret the question, ‘delimit terrain’
• Body
– Clear argument / evidence!
– Logical build up
– 4-5 paragraphs
• Keep the title in front of you
• Write according to plan
• Allow time for re-reading/editing: valuable
extra marks!
• Conclusion
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– Summary: tie together strand of argument
– Generalisation/ evaluation/ judgement …
Three Steps to Heaven
READ
THINK
PLAN
Write according to plan
Check plan from time to time
Keep the title in front of you
Check the time: try and stay on time!
Immediately after answer / at end of paper?
If you get stuck:
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Check your plan
Re-read title and your answer so far
Look up
Relaxation exercise
Move on
Don’t leave the exam hall early
Keep writing calmly to the last second >
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GOOD LUCK!
The Student Learning Advisory Service
(SLAS)
Canterbury
Practising and hard work
WILL pay off!
• Email : [email protected]
• Phone: 01227 82(4016)
Medway
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone 01634 88(8884)
www.twitter.com/unikentSLAS
www.facebook.com/unikentSLAS
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