Unpack the Essay Prompt

When you are assigned a topic on which to write, the first task is to “unpack” the prompt or to figure out exactly what the question is asking.  Circle or underline each task in the question and make sure you understand what the prompt is asking you to do. (There is a list of key terms and their definitions in the next section.) 

Consider this question from the 1987 University of California Subject A Exam. For more information on the Subject A, and to read the accompanying passage and see sample essays, see the University of California Subject A website http://www.ucop.edu/sas/sub-a/index.html.

Clyde Kluckhohn (1905-1960) was professor of anthropology at Harvard University. The following passage, adapted from his book Mirror for Man, defines what anthropologists mean by culture and explains culture's influence on how people think, feel and behave. How does Kluckhohn explain the differences and similarities among the world's peoples? What do you think about his views? Use examples from your own experience, reading or observation in developing your essay.

Often essay questions contain several parts. You must determine which part logically should come first, which second, etc. Number or arrange the tasks in the order of your response.  Remember to include information that is assumed but not stated by the question:

1) [Define Kluckholhn’s view of culture] assumed but not stated in question

2) Explain differences among world’s peoples

3) Explain whether or not I agree, using examples

4) Explain similarities among world’s peoples

5) Explain whether or not I agree, using examples

Outline Main Ideas

Once you have determined the tasks that the prompt is asking you to do, turn this list of tasks into a quick topic outline. While you will probably feel pressed for time, a few moments spent planning will keep your essay from going off track and help you remember all the things you want to say.  You might write this outline in the margin of your paper or on a scratch piece of paper so that you can refer back to it as you write.

1. Culture develops out of a combination of human nature, human biology, and the laws of nature. [define Kluckholhn’s view of culture]
2. Differences arise from different customs and practices in different parts of the world. [explain reasons for differences]
3. Agree – EX: differences between knife and fork use in Germany and America, differences in Asian and American attitudes toward education 
4. Similarities result from biology not upbringing [explain similarities]
5. Agree – EX: babies cry, peer pressure.

Write a Thesis Statement and Introduction

Once you have your topic outline, spend a moment to draft a strong thesis statement for your essay. What are you going to prove? You may not have time to write an elaborate creative opening for your introduction. Many writers find it easiest to start by echoing key ideas from the prompt in their first few sentences and then to move directly into their thesis statement.  See the section on Thesis Statements for more information. 

Kluckhohn’s view, one that I find to be true from my own experiences, is that culture is "the social legacy individuals acquire from their group." Simply put, people act and react the way they do "because they were brought up that way," not due to biological differences.

Time Constraints and Drafting

Writing within a time limit is difficult, but most evaluators understand that an essay written in forty-five minutes will not be the same quality as an essay written at home over the course of several days or weeks.  However, they will want to see that you can put together a clear, organized, and intelligent response to the question.

A few tips to help you manage your time:

1. Before you start writing, take off your watch and put it on your desk. Determine what time you must stop writing and periodically check the time remaining.
2. Be clear and specific. Do not try to impress the grader with grandiose vocabulary if you aren’t 100% sure of the meaning–simpler is better.
3. Do not spend precious minutes playing with wording or trying to get a sentence to sound EXACTLY right. This wastes time and can give you writer’s block.
4. Write legibly, but do not try to re-copy your essay at the end. Content is more important than neatness (as long as your writing is legible). If you make a mistake, NEATLY cross out the error and move on.
5. Use your outline to keep yourself on track. Periodically check to make sure that you are still answering the question.

When you finish writing

1. Leave yourself three to five minutes to re-read your essay and make some quick fixes.
2. Correct any spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors you spot.
3. Double-check your thesis statement against the body of your essay. Make sure you prove what you said you were going to prove. If you find that your essay doesn’t really match your thesis statement, change the thesis–don’t try to change the entire essay!
4. Check each paragraph and make sure it has a topic sentence that accurately reflects the content of the paragraph.

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Key Terms Used in Essay Questions

analyze            to break something up into its component pieces and to explain how those pieces relate to the whole 

classify             to place persons or things together in categories based on common elements 

compare          to show how things are similar and why the similarities are important

contrast            to show how things are different and why the differences are important

define              to explain the meaning of a term— often using examples to clarify or illustrate the definition

describe           to tell what something looks like, to give a general overview of something

discuss             to talk about–a vague term, generally meaning to explain an issue from several points of view

evaluate          to make a judgment in comparison to a model or a set of criteria, to look at both sides and then judge

examine          to look closely and in-depth at an issue

explain            to tell how something works, to clarify, to describe a process

identify            to list, explain, or provide an example of; to describe the most important aspects that distinguish a subject from other things

illustrate          to show the reader a general concept or principle by using  specific examples

interpret           to identify the significance, meaning, or importance of a set of information. Interpret the data from the experiment.

justify               to show the advantages of a position or claim

list                    to provide many examples

outline             to organize information, listing major and minor points and illustrating how the ideas relate to one another

reflect              to think back over what is significant to you and why, often calls for personal connection

refute               to disprove an assertion using logical reasons, evidence, and explanations

review             to repeat the key elements of the topic, keeping in mind the order in which they were presented

state                 to briefly present the facts or your position

summarize       to briefly present the main points of an issue

support            to provide proof for an assertion in the form of reasons, evidence, and explanations

trace                to follow a single idea over a period of time