This article is classified "Real"
95% of essay questions contain certain words which reveal how much work is
required for an "A" grade. For example:
The neural activity patterns of some species of South American Tree
Frog is significantly greater than that of the typical European
computer scientist. Discuss.
This article presents a fairly comprehensive guide to those key phrases,
and the number of words you will need to write in such essay questions.
List
====
Number of Words: 20
Use no structure at all, simply list the points required. Extra marks may
sometimes be given, by some lecturers, for fancy bullets. The shaded blue
circle is always a favourite.
Identify
========
Number of Words: 50
As above, but attempt to link items in sequence, possibly giving a reason
why. Bullet points may still merit additional marks.
Outline
=======
Number of Words: 200
Here's where the real work begins. Identify the key points, but this time,
say something apparently relevant about each. Crayons or thick marker pens
do not usually work well with this question style.
Describe
========
Number of Words: 600
As above, but think about the exact words your lecturer used when
presenting this topic in class.
Discuss
=======
Number of Words: 2000
The most favourite essay question type. The good marks can only be
achieved by voicing your own opinion on the subject matter. In the
probable case when you don't have your own opinion, use the opinions
stated by any of the recommended texts' authors. Be assertive; make it
sound like you know what you're talking about.
Explain
=======
Number of Words: 4000
As Discuss, but give more detail, using examples and colourful diagrams.
Examiners always favour diagrams which have been given the "3D look."
Don't forget the accepted format of essays (however stupid it may seem)
which is - introduction, main body, conclusion - which really means, "say
what you're going to talk about", "talk about it", and "say what you just
talked about."
Prove
=====
Number of Words: 5000
Kak yourself! This is damn hard. Carefully examine the question which
should give you the answer you need to prove. Write down lots of
complicated math formulas, then write the three dots (meaning therefore)
and write down the answer (which you got from the question) and underline
it. With any luck your exam paper will be in the middle of the pile. As
the examiner becomes more bored, they read less and less of the answers.
By the time they get to your paper, they will only look at the last line
of your proof. Therefore, Get Lots of Marks = True
========================
Briefly Waffle
==============
Number of Words: 10,000
Relax, this is much easier than it sounds. Write at speed, anything that
comes into your head based on a few key words that you may remember from
the lectures.
Waffle
======
Number of Words: 20,000
As Briefly Waffle, but this time note, that a bit of revision could not go
amiss. It's a bummer, but that's life.
Waffle in Depth
===============
Number of Words: 30,000+
This is often referred to in some texts as an ICD or "Information Core
Dump." Write down everything you know about anything, making sure to
find clever links to totally irrelevant topics.
Note that above statements may be appended or prepended by "in depth"
or "briefly." Adjust our word estimate by +/-10% as appropriate.
Waffle is, obviously, a special case.