Everyone
knows that an essay needs a clear logic, supporting paragraphs with specific
examples, and language that is exact and effective. What everyone doesn't know,
though, is how to include all those elements when time is short.
Outlining: This format is helpful for people who like clear structure.
Read
on to learn about the steps you can take to improve your writing when you face
timed essays.
1. Reading and Understanding the Question
The
most common, and worst, mistake that you can make when writing with a time
limit is to misread the question. You may feel that you need to rush and get
started, but once you get your assignment, take a deep breath and slow down. To
craft an accurate response, you must know where to begin, as well as where
you're going. An
effective strategy is to underline, circle, or otherwise highlight the key
words in the question.
Here are explanations of the words and phrases
you'll find in instructions for timed essays:
Agree
or disagree: Take a position and stick with it throughout the entire
essay. Don't change your mind or try to argue both sides.
Challenge:
This term is a synonym for disagree.
Compare:
Outline the similarities between the two sides.
Contrast:
Outline the differences between the two sides.
Compare
and contrast: The expectation is that you do both, not choose one.
Debate:
You can argue both sides of the topic. Ultimately, though, develop a specific
position with one side coming out stronger.
Define:
Outline the topic's main points.
Illustrate:
Make a point and use specific examples to support it.
Identify
parallels: This phrase is a synonym for compare.
Discuss
or explain: These terms are vague. You may be expected to complete any
of the tasks listed above. Look for other key words in the question to guide
your response.
Develop
your point of view: This is what you'll be asked to do on the GRE essay.
You may use any of the strategies listed above to support a thesis that takes a
position on the topic.
2. Planning
Again,
you may feel the urge to rush ahead and put pencil to paper. Yet if you do so
without devising some sort of design, you are almost certain to lose focus and
end up with a jumble of words that leads nowhere.
Take
another deep breath and invest two or three minutes in planning. Writers
generally have their own personal strategies, but if you haven't found one that
works for you, consider these techniques:
Outlining: This format is helpful for people who like clear structure.
Brainstorming:
Put the topic or thesis in the center of the page and then write supporting
examples that branch out from the main point.
Listing:
Similar to outlining but with a bit less structure, this method lets you get
your ideas down easily.
Weighing
pros and cons or similarities and differences: When you're asked to
debate or to compare and contrast two ideas, write a heading for each
assertion, draw a line between the headings, and list the main points side by
side.
3. Writing
Once
you've read the question carefully and have spent a few minutes planning,
you're ready to begin. You need to pace yourself because you'll have only a few
minutes per paragraph. If you constantly find yourself rushing to finish,
consider these tips.
Introduction:
A creative start draws readers in and makes them want to keep going. However,
unless a great opening dawns on you immediately, skip it, leave space to go
back later (if you have time), and move directly to your thesis. You can't get
back the time you spend stressing out over your opening.
Body:
For each body paragraph, include a topic sentence that gives a specific example
to prove your thesis statement and a body that elaborates upon or explains this
example. Keep in mind that, unless the directions tell you otherwise, you don't
have to come up with three examples. Supporting your thesis with one or two
well-developed examples can work better than including three that are short or
unfinished.
Conclusion:
Try to come up with a conclusion that does more than restate your thesis and
main points. However, unless your directions require one, a formal conclusion
isn't always needed. Your time might be better spent editing and proofreading
your essay.
