The essay booklet distributed
at the examination contains the following directions:
The examination consists of two essays, one on each of the questions
that will be handed to you by the examination supervisor. For each
question you will have 45 minutes to plan and write your essay.
Write only on the assigned topic. An essay on a topic of your choice
is not acceptable.
This examination is your opportunity to demonstrate that you can
write effectively. You should therefore take care to express your
thoughts on each topic clearly and exactly. Be specific, using supporting
examples whenever appropriate. Remember that how well you write
is much more important than how much you write.
You are to write your essays in this booklet. You should, of course,
write neatly and legibly. To be certain that you have enough space
for both essays, do not skip lines, write in excessively large letters,
or leave wide margins. You may use the top of page 2 of the booklet
for any notes you wish to make before you begin writing.
Turn the page and, when your supervisor directs you to do so, begin
work on Question 1. Stop work on Question 1 when your supervisor
directs you to do so. Then follow the same procedure for Question
2.
Except as length reflects full development, the length of your essay
is not important, but it is important that you complete your essay.
It is thus essential that you plan your response so that you can
finish your essays in the allotted time. In order to use your time
most efficiently, keep the following points in mind:
1. Read the topic two or more times before writing. Circle key words
to help you focus on the assigned task. (See below for definitions
of some key words commonly used in essay questions.)
2. Take a few minutes to think and organize your thoughts before
you begin writing. Jot
down your ideas (there is sufficient note space in the examination
booklet), but avoid making long
outlines which will rob you of writing time.
3. Don't let spelling slow down your writing. Keep the flow of your
writing going and
correct spelling errors when proofreading.
4. Leave a few minutes at the end
to proofread your essay. Don't try to make extensive changes at
this time, but correct grammatical and spelling errors and other
minor flaws.
5. Do not attempt to recopy your essay for the sake of neatness.
If your essay is legible, don't be concerned about the appearance
of crossouts and corrections.
IMPORTANT TERMS USED IN ESSAY
QUESTIONS
The following terms commonly occur in essay topics. Since you are
required to write on the assigned topic, it is essential that you
understand the meaning of these key terms:
Analyze: Separate the assertion, statement, idea, etc., into
its component parts in order to understand and explain their relationships.
Argue (or Present a Point of View): Take only one point of
view (either Pro or con) and substantiate that position. Don't be
concerned about taking the "right" or "wrong"
position. Just be sure that whichever position you take is soundly
and clearly supported.
Comment: Express a personal reaction or opinion.
Compare: Set up a comparison between items, focusing on their
similarities.
Contrast: Set up a comparison between items, focusing on
their differences.
Describe: Use adjectives, adverbs, and descriptive phrases
to create a mental picture for your reader.
Evaluate: Examine something--an assertion, statement, idea,
etc.--to determine its worth and judge its value.
Explain: Provide reasons substantiating an opinion or strengthening
an argument. Answer the question "why?"
SCORING STANDARDS
Essays are judged on a number of factors--e.g., insight into and understanding
of the question, organization, development, adequacy and quality of
supporting detail, grammar, mechanics, and so on. Essays are scored
on their overall quality, but an extremely well-written response may
be scored a point higher than it would be on the basis of content
alone, while a poorly-written response may be scored a point lower.
The following statement of standards for the numerical scores may
be taken as representative.
Possible Scores
6 An essay receiving a score of Six will:
 Address all aspects of
the question.
Show a good understanding
of and insight into the concerns of the question.
Be clearly organized.
Be well developed.
Contain good supporting
detail.
An essay receiving a score of six will show a high degree of competence
generally, though it may have small imperfections or minor errors
in mechanics.
5-4 An essay in the Five to Four score range will be generally
competent but will:
Slight a part of the question.
Have somewhat unclear
organization.
Have uneven development.
Be somewhat thin in supporting
detail.
Contain minor mechanical
errors.
The distinction between a score of Five and a score of Four will
be determined by the extent and seriousness of the above weaknesses.
3 An essay receiving a score
of Three will:
Omit one part of the question
or treat the parts of the question superficially.
Drift away from the topic
or display considerable irrelevancy.
Lack supporting detail.
Exhibit significant difficulties
with organization.
Contain frequent grammatical
or mechanical errors.
2: An essay receiving a score of Two will:
Be thin or superficial
in content.
Largely ignore the question
or treat it very poorly.
Display serious weaknesses
in organization.
Lack development.
Have major faults in diction,
grammar, and mechanics.
1: A score of One is used for essays which show little or no
understanding of the question or indicate incompetence in structure,
syntax, and diction.
0: A score of Zero is used for
non-response essays and essays that are completely off the topic.
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