Specialist Academic English for Postgraduates
LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this lesson you will learn how to:
analyse essay/exam questions
prepare a plan from the question to help you organise your ideas
This week we are going to look at the first stage in the process of preparing to
write an essay/exam: analysing the question.
TASK 1
The quotation below was taken from Crème & Lea (2003):
‘When my students ask me about essay writing, there are three main pieces of
advice that I give them. One, answer the question. Two, answer the question.
Three, answer the question.’ (Crème & Lea,2003, p.40)
What do you think it means?
What strategies could you use to make sure you do this?
You may think that it is easy to answer the question - it is not! Postgraduate
tutors claim that this is one of the main problems with student essay writing
and this, together with a lack of critical analysis, is one of the main reasons
why students get low marks
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Analysing the question
Essay questions can sometimes be broken down into several components.
Breaking an essay question into its components will help you to focus more
clearly on the question.
INSTRUCTION ASPECT SUBJECT RESTRICTION OR
MATTER EXPANSION OF
SUBJECT MATTER
Describe the industrial uses the mineral on the deep ocean
of resources floor
The subject matter is the most important component of a question.
This is the main focus of your assignment/essay. Find this first and
then look for its restriction or expansion. This will tell you which
areas of the main subject you should cover in your assignment.
Search for the aspect of the subject matter. This is often a phrase
ending in of e.g. the importance of, the contribution of. This tells you
which approach to take.
Identify the instruction and decide what it means. This will help you to
plan your assignment/essay.
TASK 2
Break down the following questions in the same way.
1. Evaluate the role of management accounting in the success of a small
business
2. Account for the increase in inflation in Germany in the 1930s .
3. Discuss the role of international capital movements in a world
payments system
4. Analyse the role of the World Bank in the process of development in
any one African country.
The instruction will give you an indication of how you should plan your
assignment/essay/exam. You will find possible planning sheets on pages 6 - 8
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TASK 3
Match the following instructions to the definitions below.
Note: The explanations given for the question words can be a rough guide
only. You must always consider the total meaning of the question. Read the
question carefully.
Instructions
discuss/give a reasoned discussion of compare
to what extent/how far (do you agree that…) contrast
summarise evaluate/assess
account for justify
analyse
Definitions
a. describe the similarities and differences between two or more things. A
balanced (fair,objective) answer is expected.
b. suggest that there are various views on the subject. Outline some of
them, evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, give your judgement.
More than one judgement is possible. You may not totally reject or
accept the proposition.
c. Consider something from different points of view, and then give your
own opinion i.e. give the arguments for and against. Your arguments
must be backed by reasons, examples, evidence. It is important to
give both sides of an argument and come to a conclusion.
d. Give the main points of a subject
e. Consider the importance, value or significance of something. Look
carefully at the positive and negative aspects.
f. Identify the major differences between two or more things.
g. Make a case using appropriate evidence to argue why a particular case
or conclusion is correct
h. Explain, give reasons why, try to link cause and effect. You always
have to do more than simply describe the phenomenon. You have to
offer explanations.
i. Examine the concept /idea in close detail; identify important points and
main features
(For more instruction words: see Cottrell p.143)
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TASK 4 (Source: http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/ . This is a very good website
offering advice on all types of academic writing)
With a partner, analyse the question below. The question is for students
studying sociology but the principles are the same for your essays/reports.
‘In the last 20 years, rates of divorce have risen significantly in Western countries.
Critically analyse some of the different explanations given for this phenomenon.
In your discussion you should consider what implications these explanations
might have for social policy.’
PREPARING A PLAN
Now you’ve broken the title into sections and looked carefully at the
instruction. What should you do next?
Before you run to the library or access the internet, think about what you
already know about the subject and make a very rough plan.
Crème & Lea (2003,p41-43) suggest a plan which might be useful for you to
follow before you start writing :
STEP 1
Write down in your own words what you think the assignment is asking
you.
Try and write what you think the assignment is asking for in your own words.
Example
‘I think this assignment is asking me to compare two types of management
styles so I’ve got to find some criteria to analyse them and I have to be critical
so I’ll have to make sure I look at the positive and negative aspects and make a
decision as to which is the best style in the case that I have been given. I have
to relate it to a small business………………………………..
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’Remember you don’t have to worry about the language, your grammar or
your spelling – this is a plan for you! It helps you to organise your ideas and
you can change the plan as often as you like – you will not get it right first
time. Do not worry about having the right answer (usually there isn’t a right
answer!). At this stage any idea is a good idea! You can adapt or delete
ideas when you start reading.
TASK 5
Read the following interpretations written by 3 students. Which do you think is
the best interpretation? Why?
Student 1
This essay topic is about divorce in Western countries. I would look in detail
at statistics for divorce in various countries. I would then focus on the effects
of divorce, as discussed by various sociologists. I would describe the
effects divorce is thought to have on parents and on children. Then I would
consider what social policy solutions there are for the problems arising
from divorce.
Student 2
For this essay I would focus on why rates of divorce have increased in Western
countries. To answer this question, I would give my own critical explanation,
focusing on what I know from experience are the reasons why couples choose to
divorce. I would then interview a number of divorced people I know asking them what
the reasons were for the breakdown of their marriage. I would then consider current
social policies relating to divorce and find out how well the people I interview have
coped since they were divorced.
Student 3
This topic states that divorce has risen in Western countries. First I would want
to find out if this is the case by looking at statistics from a number of
countries. Assuming that the proposition is true, I would then look at a variety
of accounts given by sociologists for this increase. For each of these, I
would consider how adequate an explanation it is. The topic seems to imply
that rising divorce is a phenomenon that needs to be addressed by policy
makers. I would then think about what sort of social policy positions might
follow on from each explanation.
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STEP 2
a.What do you already know about the subject matter of the
assignment?
Once you have analysed the question you should relate your analysis to what
you already know about the subject matter. You will never be asked to write
everything you know about a theory. You must think about how the question is
related to what you already know. Write down what you know and how this
relates to the question.
Ask yourself why the question was set.
Is there a public or academic debate going on about it at the moment?
Are there important issues to include?
Does it relate to theories and models that have been discussed in the
lectures? You will often be asked to relate theories to real-life practice.
(Cottrell 1999, p.142)
B.What do you need to know to help you complete this assignment
successfully?
Look at your analysis of the question and what you already know – now think
about what you need to find out. What information will you need to answer the
question? You might like to use a mindmap at this stage.
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STEP 3
Look at your reading list .You need to identify appropriate academic sources.
Which types of sources should you be reading at postgraduate level?
After doing some reading, you should be ready to make an outline plan.
This is the outline plan for the essay on divorce. Discuss with a partner how
the plan relates to the question:
Introduction
Problem of rising divorce
Statistics figures to substantiate claim
Argument of essay - that socio-economic explanations are the more comprehensive.
Explanation 1 (Type - legal)
Summarise- Bilton et al.(2008) - Changes in divorce rates can be best explained by
changes in legal system.
Evaluation- Problem is that this type of explanation does not consider why laws have
changed in the first place. More underlying explanation needed.
Explanation 2 (Type - socio-economic)
Summarise- Hart (2007) - Changes in divorce rates can be best explained by
fundamental changes in society (mainly economic changes).
Evaluation- This explanation cannot account for all cases of divorce. But is more probing
than narrow legal explanation.
Implications of explanations
(What types of solutions exist?)
Implications of explanation 1 (legal)
If rises in divorce are a consequence of liberal divorce laws, obvious way to stem rise is
to make divorce less obtainable. However - not a genuine solution, also a solution not
favoured by Australians.
Implications of explanation 2 (socio-economic)
If marital conflict can be traced to changes in the capitalist system and economic
circumstances of family, there is a need for social policies that support disadvantaged
families. However, government’s reluctant to fund social welfare programs.
Conclusion
Which explanation is most helpful?
TASK 4
Restatement of argument - socio-economic explanations provide the more useful
framework. Also the need for a historical perspective - family instability is not unique to
the present.
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TASK 6
In groups, analyse the questions below and attempt the 3 step plan above. Be
prepared to discuss your outline plan with the class.
1.Empirical research shows that managers use a range of methods for
budgeting. Explain why this might be the case illustrating your answer with
examples.
2. Compare and contrast the shareholder value culture of the UK and US with
the stakeholder value of Japan, or any other stakeholder value culture with
which you are familiar.
3. Using the eight concepts of TQM critically analyse and appraise the
implementation of TQM in an organisation with which you are familiar
4.Using the eight concepts of TQM critically assess the readiness of an
organisation, with which you are familiar, to implement TQM.
Remember, making a plan like this in an exam will save you time and you will
produce a more coherent, logical answer.
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Appendix 1
Framework for an argumentative essay
Main proposal/hypothesis/argument:
Reasons or arguments in favour Evidence and examples
1._______________________ 1.______________________
2. ______________________ 2._______________________
3. ______________________ 3. _______________________
Opposing Arguments Reasons and evidence
1.____________________ 1. ________________
2._____________________ 2. _________________
3. ____________________ 3. _________________
Reasons why my arguments are stronger; weaknesses in the reasoning or evidence for
the opposing arguments
1._______________________________________________________________
2.__________________________________________________________________
3.__________________________________________________________________
Conclusions
Source: Cottrell (1999; p.176)
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Framework for a ‘compare and contrast’ essay
Introduction:
Main Themes:
Areas to be compared A B
and contrasted
Similarities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Differences:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Significance of similarities or differences. (How did I decide whether something was
significant?)
Conclusion. (Draw the reader’s attention to the main points.)
Source: Cottrell (1999, p.179)
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Framework for a ‘problem- solution’ essay
Statement of the Problem:
Evaluation of the problem
Solutions Proposed Reasons and justification
1.____________________ 1. ________________
2._____________________ 2. _________________
3. ____________________ 3. _________________
Evaluation (comparison) of solutions:
Conclusion
References
Crème, P. & Lea, M.R. (2003) Writing at University a guide for students (2nd
ed.) Maidenhead: Open University Press
Cottrelll, S. (1999) The Study Skills Handbook Basingstoke:Palgrave
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