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The first criterion for success in essay writing is to answer the question properly. This can be achieved by following the six steps detailed below.
Step 1: Get prepared
Make sure you are ready to get started by taking the following steps:
- Place a copy of the question where you can see it clearly at your desk, so that you can constantly refer to it while preparing and writing your essay.
- Note the due date on your calendar.
- Note the length of the essay and the percentage of marks allocated to your total grade.
Step 2: Read the question
Slowly read the question a couple of times and ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the essential subject matter of this essay — what information is required?
- How does the question link to what I am covering in lectures?
- What do I know about the topic?
- How much research do I need to do?
- What are the important or controversial issues to include?
- Is there a public or academic controversy that I need to know about?
Step 3: Deconstruct the question
Essay titles typically contain key words that will help you with your interpretation and analysis of the question. You need to break the question topic down and look for these key words:
- Task or directive words: tell you what you have to do with the topic, for example, analyse, compare, discuss.
- Content words: tell you what areas of the subject you will need to address in your essay, and which ideas will form the base of the assignment.
- Limiting words: define the scope and focus of your essay; they limit the subject matter so that you know what should and should not be included in your writing.
Note: ‘critically’ is a word often used in conjunction with another directive word such as ‘critically discuss’, ‘critically examine’ or ‘critically analyse’. It does not mean criticise. Instead, it requires a balanced answer that points out mistakes or weaknesses, and which also indicates any favorable aspects of the subject. The decision or overall judgment you make about the factors that you are discussing must be supported with evidence from reliable sources.
Step 4: Redo step 2
After you have deconstructed the question you should re-read the question as in Step 2, as you may find that you now have different ideas about what is required to answer the question.
Step 5: Discuss the question with other students
Discussing the question with other students will help ensure that you have understood the question and that you know what is required of you. If you are confused by any aspect of the question discuss this with your lecturer or tutor.
Step 6: Read the criteria sheet
Most assignments are marked according to a criteria sheet. As you research and write, keep checking the exact wording of the essay question and your criteria sheet. This will ensure that your writing and research remain relevant to the topic and that you do not stray from the point.
Examples of essay question analysis
1. Discuss the effects of the 2000 Olympic Games on Australia’s international reputation.
| Task or directive words | discuss | this word tells you what to do with the topic |
| Content words | the effects of the 2000 Olympic Games | these words tell you what the subject matter of the essay question will be |
| Limiting words | on Australia’s international reputation | these words tell you what the boundaries of the topic will be |
2. Explore the clash of cultures that occurred between the first Australians and early European settlers. Consider the long-term consequences for Indigenous Australians in terms of their relationship to land and their experiences of European laws.
| Task or directive words | explore | consider |
| Content words | the clash of cultures | the long-term consequences for Indigenous Australians |
| Limiting words | between the first Australians and early Europeans | in terms of their relationship to land and their experiences of European laws |
Commonly used direction words in essay questions
Analyse
This requires an answer that takes apart an idea, concept or statement in order to consider the elements it comprises. Answers of this type should be very methodical and logically organised.
Argue
An argument means to make clear or prove. You must have a particular point of view and provide an answer to the question using evidence.
Assess
This involves a judgment about an idea or subject. You may need to state whether the idea or subject being discussed is valuable or relevant after acknowledging points for and, against it. Your judgment should be influenced by other authors' views as well as your own opinion of the merits of an idea or subject. Similar to "Evaluate
Compare
This requires an answer that sets items side by side and shows their similarities and differences. A balanced (fair, objective) answer is expected.
Contrast
This requires an answer that points out only the differences between two or more topics.
Describe
This requires you to describe the attributes or characteristics of a subject.
Discuss
This requires an answer which explains an item or concept, and then gives details about it with supporting information, examples, points for and against, and explanations for the facts put forward from various points of view. This can be one of the most difficult types of essay question.
Illustrate / Demonstrate
This requires an answer that consists mainly of examples to demonstrate or prove the subject of the question. It is often accompanied with further instructions.
Interpret
Very similar to the task word Explain. An interpretation involves explaining what your subject means. In an essay of this type, you should examine the key components of a topic or. idea and give an overall judgment or evaluation of it.
Investigate
Search, study and carefully survey all areas of the subject.
Justify
This requires an answer that gives only the reasons for a position or argument. Note, however, that the proposition to be argued may be a negative one. Remember, it should convince the reader about your point of view.