Following are some bits of advice on how to prepare for in-class essay-style exams , adapted from The Borzoi Handbook for Writers. All advice applies to the sort of in-class essays you will write as the midterm and final essays for this course.

1. Try to anticipate questions. Try to arrive at the exam with ideas that respond to the assigned reading material. [For this exam: __________________]

2. Read through all instructions and questions before beginning any answer. Often instructions are given in the last class before the exam, which makes it one of the most important classes to attend.

3. Gauge your available time. Set up a schedule to follow for the duration of the exam. For an in-class essay, I'd recommend designating time to 1) panic, 2) collect ideas, 3) outline, 4) write, 5) proofread and correct. [In Writing 115, you'll write your in-class exams on computers. In most other courses, you handwrite in-class exams. For these handwritten exams, generally don't plan to recopy your in-class essay during the exam time. Write double-space to save room to insert second thoughts.]

4. Note the key instruction in each question. Some key words are the imperative verbs compare, contrast, discuss, analyze, classify, list, define, explain, summarize, describe, justify, and outline.

5. Plan your answer. Draw up a scratch outline, and turn it in with the exam.

6. Do not waste time restating the question. The Borzoi Handbook explains a practical reason: "A grader can only be annoyed by a hollow introductory paragraph that merely announces your willingness to address the question. Your grader will already be looking for ideas."

7. Begin with a clear statement of your thesis in the opening paragraph. [Opening paragraphs are often very short--often only the thesis, which is a turned-around form of the question.]

8. Highlight your main points. Use topic sentences at the start of new paragraphs to make your points stand out. Use transition words and key words.

9. Support your generalizations with specific references. Use examples; show you can connect general theory with specific practice. Be concrete.

10. Keep to the point. You have no time to digress. Remember your thesis.

11. Carefully read through your completed answer. You receive no credit, usually, for illegibly written answers (when handwriting) or sentences which don't make sense.

12. Doublespace so you can add ideas and corrections which occur to you later during the exam.

13. Remember the essay is only a draft, and won't be "perfect"; better to get your ideas down imperfectly than to waste time rewriting your first sentence until it's "perfect."

14. Find out well ahead of the test what materials you should bring: pencils? pens? paper? texts, reading notes, class notes? dictionary, thesaurus? first aid kit, compass, dehydration tablets, aspirin . . .

15. Find out how the exam will be evaluated. What will be looked for and weighed most heavily for the grade?
 
 

The format for your Writing 115 exams will be something like this:

Follow MLA style: Double-space, number your pages in a header, and title your essay. When you're done, staple together all the pages you've written on, with this page on top as a cover sheet, your final print-out of the essay next and your notes and interim drafts on bottom (including your "Notes for Essay 3" homework).

Open book: You may use The Bedford Handbook,Models for Writers, a dictionary, and a thesaurus. You may not talk, you may not leave the room and return, and you may not exchange information with anyone else.

You'll be evaluated on your ability to write an essay as we've discussed essays over the past weeks. Most fundamentally, you'll be evaluated on: