In-Class Essay & Essay Test Preparation
A Germantown Writing Center Workshop
Why is my professor torturing me with an in-class essay
or essay exam?
Although
live writing can be stressful, this method is used because it tests your
critical thinking skills. Demonstrating you have mastered the objectives of a
course means more than taking tests, which often requires recalling memorized
information. In college, students need to show not only that they can recall
course materials but also use those materials in making an analysis,
synthesizing information, and developing original ideas.
Tips for Preparing Yourself
1) Rest, Eat, and Dress Appropriately
a. Make
sure to get enough sleep the night before your test or essay. Falling asleep
while writing would be pretty embarrassing.
b. Eat
a regular, balanced meal. Protein is good for your energy levels, and vitamins
B and D help your attention span.
c. Dress
in layers. The room may be too hot or too cold, and feeling uncomfortable in
your environment could cause your attention to wander.
2) Take Thorough Notes
a. You
may be able to use your notes, so ensure you attend class and pay attention by
taking notes. (If you need help with this, you may want to take a reading class
or come in for tutoring in the Writing Center.)
b. “[O]nce
you learn and incorporate solid note taking methods into your study strategies,
you will find immediate improvement in the speed and accuracy of your learning
for college classes” (Evans Carter, p. 396).
3) Practice Writing Outside of Class
a. Time
yourself for the same amount of time you will have during class. Having
experience with timed writing helps to decrease your stress levels come test
day.
b. Write
your own questions or use ones from your textbook. For example, The Brief Bedford Reader has a section
in the back of many chapters entitled, “Suggestions for Writing.”
4) Come to Class Prepared
a. Bring
what you think you will need to be successful with you. Some items may not be
allowed by your professor, so be sure to verify what items you can bring beforehand.
These may include:
i.
USB or thumb drive
ii.
pens and pencils (bring at least two, in
case one “breaks down”)
iii.
water
iv.
tissues
v.
watch or timing device
5) Plan Your Time
a. Based
on how much time you have to complete the essay or test, create a schedule for yourself
that includes planning, drafting, and revising.
b. Planning:
Spend at least five to ten minutes planning what you will write and in what
order.
c. Drafting:
Spend the most time in this phase.
d. Revising:
Save at least ten minutes at the end for making revisions. We all make
mistakes, especially under pressure.
e. Use
a timing device to make sure you’re staying on schedule.
i.
Sample schedule for an in-class essay during
a 75-minute class:
2:00—2:15: Outlining/prewriting
2:15—3:05: Drafting
3:05—3:15: Proofreading (finding errors) and editing (correcting errors)
6) Choose an Appropriate Pattern of
Organization
Using the words in the essay prompt
or question(s) you’re given, decide how you will organize your essay or
paragraph. Are you being asked to:
a. Analyze? Use a compare/contrast or
cause/effect pattern.
b. Discuss or explain? Use a definition
and example or example/illustration pattern.
c. List? Use a chronological, order of
importance, or spatial pattern.
7) Remain Calm
What can you do when things start to go
awry? Don’t panic; try one of these:
a. Close
your eyes or look away from the paper/computer screen. Look out the window, if
there is one.
b. Breathe
deeply and slowly count to ten. Perhaps try this with your eyes closed.
c. If
your professor allows it, take a quick restroom or water fountain break.
d. Drink
the water you brought (again, if it’s allowed).
e. Review
your outline. Use it like a checklist to ensure you’ve included everything you
wanted to in your essay.
Additional Resources:
“Taking In-Class Essay Exams,” George Mason University: http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/?p=311
“Essay Exams,” The Writing Center, UNC:
“Writing Essays for Exams,” Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL):
To view the Prezi that accompanies this workshop, click here.
