TEACHER’S NOTES

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Analysing Essay Questions

Activity Type Introduction

Reading, matching and In this analysing essay questions worksheet, students learn
writing exercises instruction words and practice strategies for understanding and
clarifying writing task requirements.

Focus Procedure
Essay questions
Students begin by reading information about instruction words
Instruction words used in essay questions and writing assignments.

The students then match ten instruction words to their correct

Aim definitions.

To learn instruction words Exercise A - Answer key

and practice strategies
for understanding and 1. j 2. f 3. a 4. c 5. g 6. i 7.d 8. h 9. b 10. e
clarifying writing task
requirements. Next, students read about a three-step strategy for breaking
down and analysing essay questions.

Preparation The students then use this information to help them examine an
Make one copy of the essay question and develop a working outline for the essay.
two-page worksheet for
each student. Exercise B - Possible answers

Thesis statement: T
 his essay will evaluate the Wechat
Level application to determine its usefulness.

Intermediate (B1) Body paragraph 1: Summary of Wechat and its key functions.

Body paragraph 2: Drawbacks of Wechat

Time
40 minutes Body paragraph 3: Benefits of Wechat

Body paragraph 4: W
 eigh drawbacks against benefits and reach
a conclusion.

* Note: This is just one of a number of ways to structure an

evaluation essay.

Note: This resource can be edited using a PDF editor.

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 THE WRITING PROCESS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Analysing Essay Questions

In order to do well in exams and writing assignments, it is crucial for students to be confident
that they understand the requirements of a writing task. When a student is clear about the task
requirements, they can start planning so that each part of the task is achieved in full. This step
should not be skipped as it can save time and avoid serious problems.

Essay questions are written in such a way that they explain in a fairly direct manner what a
student is expected to do. The key to understanding the requirements of an essay question is
to focus on keywords. For example, look at the essay question below:

Describe the role played by geography in a country's development.

The word 'describe' is an instruction word. Understanding this word will make it clear what the
task requires. Describe, in this case, asks students to tell the reader the important geographical
characteristics that either benefit or disadvantage countries. Describe does not ask them to
explain, analyze or evaluate.

'Describe' is just one of a number of common instruction words whose meanings are widely
accepted in universities where English is the medium of instruction. It is strongly recommended
that students familiarise themselves with these meanings to achieve the best results possible.

A. Match the instruction words below to their correct definitions.

a. analyse b. describe c. explain d. compare e. discuss

f. outline g. define h. evaluate i. summarise j. contrast

....... 1. Write about similarities and differences but with more emphasis on differences.

....... 2. Write an organised description that focuses on main points rather than details.

....... 3. Separate the subject into its essential parts and examine and evaluate each part.

....... 4. Write about the 'how' or 'why' of an issue. It can include reasons, causes, and effects.

....... 5. Write a detailed meaning of the subject. It may involve some classification or contrasting.

....... 6. Write a condensed account of key facts or points. Be succinct and avoid minor details.

....... 7. Write about differences and similarities but with more emphasis on similarities.

....... 8. Present a final judgement or opinion by examining two sides of a subject.

....... 9. Write about the key characteristics of a subject rather than its essential meaning.

....... 10. Write about the subject from multiple perspectives and present possible implications.

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 THE WRITING PROCESS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Analysing Essay Questions

It is not enough to simply understand the instruction word in an essay question. The question
needs to be examined in more detail to interpret its particular requirements.

A simple strategy that can help students interpret essay questions is breaking them down into
three parts. Students should begin by isolating the topic. The topic is the general area or subject
to which the question relates. Next, they should identify the instruction word. The instruction
word will be a verb such as those in Exercises A and B. Lastly, students define the specific focus.
The focus is the particular aspect of the topic the question is asking to be addressed.

Look at the essay question below, we can break it down as follows:

Using Hofstede's 6 dimensional model, contrast French culture with German culture.

1. Topic: Hofstede's theory of national cultures

2. Instruction word: Contrast
3. Specific focus: French and German culture

The broad topic here is national cultures but with reference to a particular framework. This
framework is used to quantify differences amongst many countries. The question asks students
to contrast, so according to the definition in Exercise B, they should write about both similarities
and differences, but with more of a focus on differences. The specific focus requires students
to limit their writing to only France or Germany, so there would be no reason to mention another
country in any part of the essay.

After breaking down the essay question, students can develop a working thesis statement from
which they can start planning their essay.

Example:

Thesis Statement: U
 sing Hofstede's dimensions of national culture, certain key points of
difference between France and Germany can be observed.

After some research into the topic, an outline for the body paragraphs may emerge as follows:

Body paragraph 1: Brief summary of Hofstede's 6 dimensions

Body paragraph 2: Brief summary of cultural similarities
Body paragraph 3: Cultural difference 1
Body paragraph 4: Cultural difference 2

B. Read the essay question below and break it down into its three parts to develop a
working thesis statement and outline for the body paragraphs.

Choose a smartphone application that you use and evaluate it in terms of its utility.

Thesis statement: ........................................................................................................

Body paragraph 1: .......................................................................................................

Body paragraph 2: .......................................................................................................

Body paragraph 3: .......................................................................................................

Body paragraph 4: .......................................................................................................

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