Essay Test Responses / 191-^ Make a list or scratch outline of the main ideas. [See Chapter 31, Outlines.]
For the preceding three sample questions, scratch outlines may look like the
following:
Example 1: q.n. = numerical descriptions
4 for each elec:
principal q.n.
orbital q.n.
magnetic q.n.
spin
(Note the simple list and use of abbreviations.)
Example 2: predom. = domestic
why? (M. Nat. - friend)sweeping
dusting connect w/ sunset
sewing
key wds: apron, shreds, duds, threads, ravelings
(Note again the simple list, the use of abbreviations, and the illustration
that three terms in the poem are all connected with sunset. The writer
also reminds herself that certain key words from the poem will help sup-
port her idea.)
Example 3: 3 issues:
stand on drugs (B = testing; K = dealers)
environ. (B = late; K = strong, early)
econ. (B = tax incen.; K = no)
(Note that the writer has chosen only three issues on which to base his
response and shows parenthetically each candidate’s position.)-^ Organize the list by numbering the items in the order in which you will include
them in your essay response. When you compare the three sample lists earlier
in this section with the completed responses, you see that the respective writers
address the ideas in the order in which they are listed here.
-^ Reread the question for accuracy and decide whether you have included in
your list everything required by the question.
-^ Anticipate the time you can spend on each item. If, for instance, you have
4 main items and 13 minutes, you can spend 3 minutes on each item.
Obviously, you must plan to be concise.