190 / Types of Writing
When you have answers to these questions, plan a schedule for yourself. If the test
includes one section of 25 multiple-choice questions and another of two essay ques-
tions, you must allot sufficient time for each of the essay questions. Perhaps you
have an hour in which to take the test. You may plan a schedule such as this:
20 minutes 25 multiple-choice questions
40 minutes 2 essay questionsThis kind of schedule allows slightly less than one minute per multiple-choice ques-
tion and 20 minutes apiece for the essay questions.
Next, plan how to spend the 20 minutes allotted to each essay question. For example:
4 minutes planning
13 minutes writing
3 minutes checking, revising
20 minutes total timeSTEP 2: Prewriting—Planning the Content
During the four-minute planning period, follow these steps:
- Read the question (frequently stated as a command rather than a question)
carefully and look for clue words that indicate what your teacher or instructor
wants. Consider the following three sample questions:
Example 1: What are quantum numbers?
Note that the clue words are what are, so you must define the term in all
its parts. [See Sample for Science in Definition online at http://www.wiley.com/
go/wnwstudentwritinghandbook for a model response to the question.]
Example 2: Analyze the predominant image in Emily Dickinson’s poem,
“She Sweeps with Many-Colored Brooms.”
Note that the clue word is analyze, so you must state the predominant
image and support with details from the poem how the image works.
[See Sample Literary Analysis for an Image, Chapter 27, Literary Analy-
ses, for a model response to the question.]Example 3: Explain who you think is the better candidate for the 8th District
and why.
Note that this question includes two key parts, explain who and why.
These double key parts—especially when the second part is why—are
common in longer questions. When you are faced with a two-part ques-
tion, you must be certain to fully answer both parts. [See the sample in
Chapter 12, Opinion, for a complete model response to this question.]