How to Write Distinction Essays Every Time: Step 1. Analyse the Question

Step 1. Analyse the Question

This article is part of the series ‘How to Write Distinction Essays Every Time: The Six Steps to Academic Essay Writing’. One article in this series will be published on the Elite Editing & Tutoring blog each week. You can also access them through the Elite Editing & Tutoring website at http://www.eliteediting.com.au

There are generally two types of essays: argumentative essays and explanatory essays.

In an argumentative essay, you are expected to put forward an academic argument in answer to the essay question and support your argument with academic sources (references).

In an explanatory essay, you are expected to explain or describe a process or topic in answer to an essay question and support your argument with academic sources (references).

Regardless of the type of essay you are writing, it is very important that you understand what is being asked of you before you begin your research and writing your essay.

If you are given a question:

You must be sure that you understand all parts of the question and what it is asking you to do. You must be able to recognise the ‘task words’ in the question, which tell you what you have to do (for example, ‘discuss’, ‘compare’, ‘analyse’ or ‘argue’) and the ‘key words’ in the question, which tell you what you are being asked to write about (for example, Critical Thinking, or the roles of registered nurses).

If you have to write your own question:

If you are writing an argumentative essay and you need to write your own question, you must write a question that invites (or allows) you to make an argument. For example, a question that would invite an argument would be: ‘Is Critical Thinking relevant to the role of a Registered Nurse?’ A question on the same subject that would not invite an argument, but rather an explanatory essay, would be ‘What are two definitions of Critical Thinking?’ or ‘Describe two definitions of Critical Thinking’.

If you do not understand the question, what should you do?

First, check your course information booklet or course website for more information on the assessment. Check your lecture notes, textbook, other course information and recommended readings to see if this information helps you to understand what is being asked of you. If you still do not understand the question, ask your tutor or lecturer for help straight away. If you cannot understand the question, then you will have significant problems trying to answer it. This needs to be addressed immediately, before you begin your research and writing.

The next article in this series is: ‘How to Write Distinction Essays Every Time: Step 2. Draft the Essay Plan’. If you can’t wait a week for this article, please contact Elite Editing & Tutoring.

This article (and the remainder in the series) has been written by Dr Lisa Lines, the Director and Head Editor of Elite Editing & Tutoring. If you require further assistance with essay writing or with the professional editing of your completed essay, please contact her through the Elite Editing & Tutoring website at www.eliteediting.com.au/contact.php

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