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COMMUNICATION IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Department of Biology

ANSWERING ESSAY AND SHORT ANSWER EXAM QUESTIONS

GOOD STRATEGIES TO ALWAYS EMPLOY

MISTAKES TO ALWAYS AVOID

INTERPRETING KEYWORDS

LONG ESSAYS

SHORT ESSAYS

GOOD STRATEGIES TO ALWAYS EMPLOY

1. Understand the Read the question carefully. Be sure to

question distinguish between the relevant information and
the extraneous information.
Example 1 -- A long
question with a short Underline or highlight the key points in the
answer question. This is particularly important for essay
questions that ask you to address several points.
Example 2 -- When
highlighting does not
work. A short question
with a long answer.

2. Plan out your answer This may seem like a waste of your time.
before you start writing However, it is a greater waste of time to write
unnecessary information or to erase and re-
Example 1 -- A long write.
question with a short
answer. Jotting down a quick outline will remind you of the
key points that you want to make.
Example 2 -- A short
question with a long Making a quick diagram can also help you focus
answer. your thoughts.

3. Convey your The key points to your answer should be clearly

thoughts in an stated and be the focus of your answer.
organized manner
The key points should be obvious to the reader
and not buried amongst peripheral material.
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Example 1 -- A long
question with a short Do not include extra information if it does not
answer. directly support your answer.

Example 2 -- A short
question with a long
answer.

4. Use relevant Correctly use the relevant biology and science

technical terminology to terms that you learn from your courses.
answer the question
Technical terms are highly specific and reduce
Example 1 the total number of words that you will need to
write.
Example 2
Using technical terms to communicate will be
essential in your professional life.

5. Cause and effect Do not expect the instructor to make these

relationships should be connections for you.
made obvious

Example

6. Making a drawing can However, your written answer must explain what
often assist you in your is in the drawing.
answer

Example 1

Example 2

7. Support your answer A hallmark of a good scientist is that they support

with evidence and/or statements with evidence.
examples from class
lectures and reading Some instructors and styles of tests require
thorough descriptions of examples that were
Example discussed in detail in the course.

Check with your instructor to see if thorough

examples are required on essay questions.

MISTAKES THAT YOU SHOULD ALWAYS AVOID

1. Do not write too Do not try to write everything that you have ever
much heard related to the question.

Example Answer the question directly, without excess

information.

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2. Do not write a good In other words, make sure that you answer the
answer to the wrong question that is asked and not something else on
question the related topic.

Example

3. Do not expect the Do not just make a drawing and expect the
instructor to figure out instructor to figure out what you were thinking
what you mean from this. (Unless the question only asks you to
make a drawing.)
Example 1
Do not expect the instructor to find the relevant
Example 2 information in a sea of irrelevant information.
Example 3 Do not expect the instructor to read between the
lines and make connections that you should be
making.

INTERPRETING KEYWORDS IN ESSAY QUESTIONS

"Compare and Contrast" The question will always involve two or more
related items.
Example
"Compare" means that you should explain the
similarities between the two items. Ordinarily,
instructors do not want you to simply list the
similar characteristics, but explain the
characteristics and/or how they are similar.

"Contrast" means that you should explain the

differences between the two items.

Typically, a comparison of the similarities and

differences between the two items highlights
some major concepts in the topic at hand. Be
sure to try to address these in your answer.

This type of question usually involves the use of

specific examples from class.

"Describe" or These words alert you that the instructor wants a

fair amount of explanation.
"Discuss" or Do not simply list terms or concepts. Write out
sentences and complete thoughts.
"Explain"

"Define" Provide a definition similar to that you would find

in the glossary to your textbook. A thorough

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explanation is usually not required.

"List" Here, a simple list of concepts or terms should

be sufficient. Anything more and you might be
treading in the too much information category.

"Interpret" Put the data or figure into words.

In other words, write an explanation of the
meaning of the data or figure.

"Diagram" or Make a drawing. Keep it simple.

Labels should be used whenever possible.
"Draw" or

"Illustrate"

ADVICE SPECIFIC TO LONG ESSAY QUESTIONS

Write logically organized paragraphs.

Because you will probably be given more time for these types of questions, your instructor will
probably expect higher quality in your writing.

Start with a relevant topic sentence. Either state the key point that you will support in the rest of
the paragraph or state the part of the question that you will address in that paragraph.

In general, instructors will usually be lenient with minor problems in sentence structure or
punctuation on a timed exam. However, the organization of your ideas is paramount for earning
a good grade.

Use complete sentences with a subject and verb.

ADVICE SPECIFIC TO SHORT ESSAY QUESTIONS

Organize your ideas in a logical manner, but do not worry so much about proper sentence and
paragraph construction.

You will have less time and space for this type of answer. The most important thing is to convey
the answer clearly. Sometimes logically organized lists of sentence fragments can achieve this
goal as well as well-constructed paragraphs.

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