how to write a midterm essay

Help with midterm season & exam essays

Need writing help? It’s midterm season, so I am here with tips about writing exam essays. 

The exam essay is a completely different beast than any other essay.  Whereas normally I would instruct students to think creatively about writing – to be free! – for exam essays, I generally advise students to adopt a policy of constraint. 

Here are some tips for writing exam essays for your midterms:  

• Come to the essay armed with knowledge and a handful of arguments you can use in the time that you’re writing.  The moment of creativity needs to come while you are studying, not during the exam.
• Prepare a time scheme .  If the essay is meant to take 30 minutes, break it up into parts: thesis + outline (5 minutes), introduction (5 minutes), body (10 minutes), conclusion (5 minutes), proofread (5 minutes).
• Read the prompt and identify the component parts.  What are you being asked?  Is there a passage?  If so, what are the different parts of the passage that you should be looking at carefully while you read? Underline the prompt; underline the relevant passage.  Jot down some notes.
• Look over your underlining and notes.  What are the major patterns in your observations?  Jot down the key ideas that have emerged for you to this point. What are your key points and what evidence can you use to support them?  Consider what it is you want to tell the reader.
• Outline the essay.  Make sure you write down what each paragraph will be about (the topic sentence) and what the essay as whole will be about (the thesis statement).  Make a plan for your essay.  You should include an even amount of time per paragraph as well as time at the end for copy editing and proofreading.
• Write. Remember that the topic sentence must come first in any paragraph.  The paragraph functions to support the topic sentence with evidence.  The last sentence of the paragraph serves as a mini-conclusion to the point of the paragraph.
• Spend a little time on your conclusion , so that it effectively summarizes what you’ve written.  Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself.  In an exam essay, repetition can be very clarifying.
• Once you have drafted the essay, go back and refine the introduction/thesis statement as well as each topic sentence.  These are the most important elements of the essay.  Proofread the essay.

The most important aspect of an exam essay is to realize that the real work happens before you actually come into the exam room (see tip #1).  So, even if you are crushed with studying, try to prepare a thesis statement for your exam essay in advance.  This can often be a more efficient use of your time than cramming in hundreds of pages of reading.

Above all, keep a cool head and write what you know.  Don’t grasp at straws; make the most of the knowledge you have, even if it’s slimmer than you hoped when you started the semester.  Writing from your knowledge, however limited, will lend your written voice confidence.

Related Content

Introduction

CDHE Nomination

AUCC Requirements

Course Description

Sample Policy Statements

Syllabus Sequencing Strategies

Sample Daily Syllabi

Lesson Plans

Reading Selection Recommendations

Assignments

Response Papers and Discussion Forums

Presentations

Discusssion, Group, WTL Questions

Variations, Misc.

Curbing Plagiarism

Additional Teaching & Course Design Resources

Guide Contributors

Midterm and Final Exam Examples

Exams are a great way to reinforce and evaluate students' understanding of the course content and main ideas. There are several different ways to approach exams including an in-class essay, short essays, multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blank, matching, quote/passage identification, character identification, etc. with plenty of flexibility for what an instructor deems important. Most instructors that choose to assign exams give both a midterm and final, though some just choose a comprehensive final. Of those who do give both, the midterm and final exam often look similar in style and content so students can expect consistency in the testing methods. Many instructors choose to test the first half of the course's information in the middle of the semester through a midterm and the rest of the semester at the final. In other words, the course's information is not cumulative and lets students focus on the most current concepts so they do not need to remember trivial details such as minor characters from the first text at the end of the semester.

Midterm Exams: Midterm exams often come at the midpoint in the semester. As stated previously in the overview, instructors sometimes divide the class into two sections so that the course's information is not cumulative. This strategy emphasizes making the overall picture or most recent concepts most important instead of testing on characters or plot lines from the first text of the semester.

Midterm Exam Examples:

• Midterm Exam Example
• Midterm Exam Study Guide Example

Final Exams: Final exams are similar to midterms except given at the end of the semester. Keep in mind that according to university policy,

"Final examination week is part of the regular semester. Student attendance shall be consistent with University policy. The final in-class examination period is intended for the end-of-semester examination. No in-class examination constituting more than 10% of the final course grade may be given in undergraduate courses during the week preceding the final examination period of the semester; laboratory, performance and other alternative classes (e.g., courses in the individualized mathematics program) excluded."

This does not indicate that instructors must give a final, only that they must use the time. If you do decide to give a final, here are a few sample finals to give you ideas for your own. Many of them follow the same format and structure of the midterm exams.

Final Exam Examples:

• Final Exam Example
• Final Exam Study Guide Example
• Final Exam Example with Study Guide

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Writing Essays for Exams

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What is a well written answer to an essay question?

Well Focused

Be sure to answer the question completely, that is, answer all parts of the question. Avoid "padding." A lot of rambling and ranting is a sure sign that the writer doesn't really know what the right answer is and hopes that somehow, something in that overgrown jungle of words was the correct answer.

Well Organized

Don't write in a haphazard "think-as-you-go" manner. Do some planning and be sure that what you write has a clearly marked introduction which both states the point(s) you are going to make and also, if possible, how you are going to proceed. In addition, the essay should have a clearly indicated conclusion which summarizes the material covered and emphasizes your thesis or main point.

Well Supported

Do not just assert something is true, prove it. What facts, figures, examples, tests, etc. prove your point? In many cases, the difference between an A and a B as a grade is due to the effective use of supporting evidence.

Well Packaged

People who do not use conventions of language are thought of by their readers as less competent and less educated. If you need help with these or other writing skills, come to the Writing Lab

How do you write an effective essay exam?

• Read through all the questions carefully.
• Budget your time and decide which question(s) you will answer first.
• Underline the key word(s) which tell you what to do for each question.
• Choose an organizational pattern appropriate for each key word and plan your answers on scratch paper or in the margins.
• Write your answers as quickly and as legibly as you can; do not take the time to recopy.
• Begin each answer with one or two sentence thesis which summarizes your answer. If possible, phrase the statement so that it rephrases the question's essential terms into a statement (which therefore directly answers the essay question).
• Support your thesis with specific references to the material you have studied.
• Proofread your answer and correct errors in spelling and mechanics.

Specific organizational patterns and "key words"

Most essay questions will have one or more "key words" that indicate which organizational pattern you should use in your answer. The six most common organizational patterns for essay exams are definition, analysis, cause and effect, comparison/contrast, process analysis, and thesis-support.

Typical questions

• "Define X."
• "What is an X?"
• "Choose N terms from the following list and define them."

Q: "What is a fanzine?"

A: A fanzine is a magazine written, mimeographed, and distributed by and for science fiction or comic strip enthusiasts.

Avoid constructions such as "An encounter group is where ..." and "General semantics is when ... ."

• State the term to be defined.
• State the class of objects or concepts to which the term belongs.
• Differentiate the term from other members of the class by listing the term's distinguishing characteristics.

Tools you can use

• Details which describe the term
• Examples and incidents
• Comparisons to familiar terms
• Negation to state what the term is not
• Classification (i.e., break it down into parts)
• Examination of origins or causes
• Examination of results, effects, or uses

Analysis involves breaking something down into its components and discovering the parts that make up the whole.

• "Analyze X."
• "What are the components of X?"
• "What are the five different kinds of X?"
• "Discuss the different types of X."

Q: "Discuss the different services a junior college offers a community."

A: Thesis: A junior college offers the community at least three main types of educational services: vocational education for young people, continuing education for older people, and personal development for all individuals.

Outline for supporting details and examples. For example, if you were answering the example question, an outline might include:

• Vocational education
• Continuing education
• Personal development

Write the essay, describing each part or component and making transitions between each of your descriptions. Some useful transition words include:

• first, second, third, etc.
• in addition

Conclude the essay by emphasizing how each part you have described makes up the whole you have been asked to analyze.

Cause and Effect

Cause and effect involves tracing probable or known effects of a certain cause or examining one or more effects and discussing the reasonable or known cause(s).

Typical questions:

• "What are the causes of X?"
• "What led to X?"
• "Why did X occur?"
• "Why does X happen?"
• "What would be the effects of X?"

Q: "Define recession and discuss the probable effects a recession would have on today's society."

A: Thesis: A recession, which is a nationwide lull in business activity, would be detrimental to society in the following ways: it would .......A......., it would .......B......., and it would .......C....... .

The rest of the answer would explain, in some detail, the three effects: A, B, and C.

Useful transition words:

• consequently
• for this reason
• as a result

Comparison-Contrast

• "How does X differ from Y?"
• "Compare X and Y."
• "What are the advantages and disadvantages of X and Y?"

Q: "Which would you rather own—a compact car or a full-sized car?"

A: Thesis: I would own a compact car rather than a full-sized car for the following reasons: .......A......., .......B......., .......C......., and .......D....... .

Two patterns of development:

• Full-sized car

Disadvantages

• Compact car

Useful transition words

• on the other hand
• unlike A, B ...
• in the same way
• while both A and B are ..., only B ..
• nevertheless
• on the contrary
• while A is ..., B is ...
• "Describe how X is accomplished."
• "List the steps involved in X."
• "Explain what happened in X."
• "What is the procedure involved in X?"

Process (sometimes called process analysis)

This involves giving directions or telling the reader how to do something. It may involve discussing some complex procedure as a series of discrete steps. The organization is almost always chronological.

Q: "According to Richard Bolles' What Color Is Your Parachute?, what is the best procedure for finding a job?"

A: In What Color Is Your Parachute?, Richard Bolles lists seven steps that all job-hunters should follow: .....A....., .....B....., .....C....., .....D....., .....E....., .....F....., and .....G..... .

The remainder of the answer should discuss each of these seven steps in some detail.

• following this
• after, afterwards, after this
• subsequently
• simultaneously, concurrently

Thesis and Support

• "Discuss X."
• "A noted authority has said X. Do you agree or disagree?"
• "Defend or refute X."
• "Do you think that X is valid? Defend your position."

Thesis and support involves stating a clearly worded opinion or interpretation and then defending it with all the data, examples, facts, and so on that you can draw from the material you have studied.

Q: "Despite criticism, television is useful because it aids in the socializing process of our children."

A: Television hinders rather than helps in the socializing process of our children because .......A......., .......B......., and .......C....... .

The rest of the answer is devoted to developing arguments A, B, and C.

• it follows that

A. Which of the following two answers is the better one? Why?

Question: Discuss the contribution of William Morris to book design, using as an example his edition of the works of Chaucer.

a. William Morris's Chaucer was his masterpiece. It shows his interest in the Middle Ages. The type is based on medieval manuscript writing, and the decoration around the edges of the pages is like that used in medieval books. The large initial letters are typical of medieval design. Those letters were printed from woodcuts, which was the medieval way of printing. The illustrations were by Burn-Jones, one of the best artists in England at the time. Morris was able to get the most competent people to help him because he was so famous as a poet and a designer (the Morris chair) and wallpaper and other decorative items for the home. He designed the furnishings for his own home, which was widely admired among the sort of people he associated with. In this way he started the arts and crafts movement.

b. Morris's contribution to book design was to approach the problem as an artist or fine craftsman, rather than a mere printer who reproduced texts. He wanted to raise the standards of printing, which had fallen to a low point, by showing that truly beautiful books could be produced. His Chaucer was designed as a unified work of art or high craft. Since Chaucer lived in the Middle Ages, Morris decided to design a new type based on medieval script and to imitate the format of a medieval manuscript. This involved elaborate letters and large initials at the beginnings of verses, as well as wide borders of intertwined vines with leaves, fruit, and flowers in strong colors. The effect was so unusual that the book caused great excitement and inspired other printers to design beautiful rather than purely utilitarian books.

From James M. McCrimmon, Writing with a Purpose , 7th ed. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980), pp. 261-263.

B. How would you plan the structure of the answers to these essay exam questions?

1. Was the X Act a continuation of earlier government policies or did it represent a departure from prior philosophies?

2. What seems to be the source of aggression in human beings? What can be done to lower the level of aggression in our society?

3. Choose one character from Novel X and, with specific references to the work, show how he or she functions as an "existential hero."

4. Define briefly the systems approach to business management. Illustrate how this differs from the traditional approach.

5. What is the cosmological argument? Does it prove that God exists?

6. Civil War historian Andy Bellum once wrote, "Blahblahblah blahed a blahblah, but of course if blahblah blahblahblahed the blah, then blahblahs are not blah but blahblah." To what extent and in what ways is the statement true? How is it false?

For more information on writing exam essays for the GED, please visit our Engagement area and go to the Community Writing and Education Station (CWEST) resources.

10 Tips to Write Perfect Collge Mid Term Papers

• Jean Scheid
• Categories : College , Education
• Tags : Education college topics studying

What Are Mid Term Papers?

Often, students may get confused on what college mid term papers should contain. They are not really research papers, but more of a way to discuss a topic or make an argument for or against a topic, usually something you’ve discussed and learned in class.

A research paper, on the other hand, is usually longer in length, explores a topic deeply and may include many citations and much research. When you are handed a mid term, however, it doesn’t mean that research is not needed. This article will help you write the perfect mid term paper .

Listen to Your Professor

Writing a good college mid term paper often depends upon your instructor. When I was in college, I had a professor who didn’t assign our topic, but did give us topic choices or we could devise one of our own based on the information we had learned in the class so far. He also had, what at least I thought, were some strange stipulations including:

• The mid term must be folded in half diagonally, (no exceptions) before turned in.
• We had to have the paper stapled appropriately
• No photocopies (although that seemed reasonable)
• We had to use the MLA style of citation instead of the APA style
• The length was given in amount of words and pages

As a freshmen in college and this my first paper, not only didn’t I know the difference between the MLA and APA citation style , I was dumfounded at why the paper needed to be folded in half—diagonally. Not to question this professor who always told me I couldn’t manage time but I could manage myself, I set out to write the perfect college mid term paper.

Important Tips for Mid Term Papers

Before you stare at a blank computer screen ready to tackle that mid term, consider some of these tips:

• Topic – If your instructor gives you a topic, you’re set. If no topic is given, you may have to suggest a topic to your professor and have it approved. Don’t choose a topic that is way off base or has nothing to do with your class.
• Research – Sure you can just start writing, but does what you are writing make sense? It probably won’t unless you have a photographic memory and know everything taught in the class. Seek out sources to help you write your paper; remember some of your sources may even been your class textbook.
• Make an Outline – Consider how you want your paper to flow including a general idea of what you want your paper to cover. Write a few introductory sentences with bullet points you want to cover.
• Give it Sections - Like a letter, you should have an opening, the body or text of the term paper, and a conclusion that wraps everything up.
• Cite Sources – If you don’t know which citing style your instructor prefers, ask. Also, most professors really don’t like Wikipedia as a source so find other reliable sources.
• Only Include Relevant Data – If your term paper is to cover one topic and you include information that isn’t relevant, that’s usually the mark of a bad mid term.
• Grammar – Try and use good grammar and avoid typos. If you think your grammar needs work, have a grammar expert read the paper for you or seek the guidance of a good grammar book at the school library. Always proofread your mid term paper .
• Sentence Structure – No one wants to read a sentence that goes on and on. Your instructor may deduct points if they have to read and re-read sentences.
• Be Creative – Find ways to discuss your topic that are creative and will be enjoyable to read.
• Write it Yourself – With today’s world of the Internet, there are too many online sources that offer to write term papers for you. Not only is this a bad idea, your professor could find out you didn’t really write it.

Things to Avoid

Beyond the tips above, writing the perfect college mid term paper means understanding what you’re saying within the paper and being able to discuss it if asked. If you’re wondering how long it should take to write a mid term paper, do ask for instructions from your professor to obtain clarity on length and detail.

Read you draft term paper out loud or to someone else to help you check for errors or sentences that don’t make sense.

Never wait until the last minute to begin your college mid term paper, if you do, it will appear rushed and probably won’t receive the grade you want. After you’ve determined the topic, what you should discuss, and have the professors instructions at hand, you should be able to determine how much time you need to research and write your paper.

Skip the pretty paper and use plain white, good quality paper. No instructor I ever knew was impressed with colored paper or scented paper.

Finally, if you have a friend or relative who has written numerous college mid term papers, ask them if you can take a look at one of theirs. This can give you an idea of what one looks like, how it flows, what you should cover, and what you should leave out to create the perfect college mid term paper.

Things Your Professor Will Tell You

There are also some tried and true tips that most professors will tell you or at least hint at. Some of the helpful tips when writing a college mid term paper include learning how to use research source cards , organizing them and using highlighters, especially if you’ve have a lot of material to cover.

Professors also love it when you utilize different kinds of resources such as interviews, journals, newspapers, books, and the Internet, so make it a blend.

All instructors hate excuses , no matter what they are. If you think about it (really think about it), your professor has most likely given you ample time to write the paper.

If you’re not prepared to discuss your term paper, your professor will surely know either you didn’t write it or you just wrote something to make them happy. It’s also a good idea not to argue with your professor, unless they ask for a good argument. Most of the time, they do enjoy being right.

Finally, to make that college mid term paper the best you’ve ever written, don’t tell your professor that another professor doesn’t make you work as hard. Doing this is a sure fire way to have the instructor assign your even more work.

References:

• TipDeck: (5/25/10) https://tipdeck.com/how-to-write-a-term-paper
• University of Massachusetts (5/25/10) https://www.umassd.edu/specialprograms/info _lit/cite.html

Image Credit:

• Professor / Wikimedia Commons
• Test Taking Student / Wikimedia Commons