Why do it? |
When answering an essay question, you have to do many things at once. You have to
- determine what is being asked in the question;
- recall the information required by the question;
- organize the information logically; and
- write an answer.
Rather than try to do all of those things at once, like a juggler keeping 4 balls in
the air, it's easier to do one step at a time.
It also will help you write better answers. You have the opportunity this way to
write down information as it comes to you, to see what's needed and what's missing, to
focus on the missing pieces, and to view it in an organized way as you write your answer.
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| How do you do it? |
Step 1: Analyze the question to determine what
pieces of information you are being asked to provide. Do it by marking the question
itself if possible. If you can't mark on the test, write the question done on your
paper and mark it there or write it in parts.
President Roosevelt faced opposition from all sides of the political spectrum. Some
felt he was too conservative; others, too liberal. Describe his opposition and their
objections to his policies. Then discuss the effect of their criticism on his
policies. Finally, identify the criticisms that led to the end of the New Deal and
the critics who voiced them. In retrospect, do you think the President could have or
should have reacted to the opposition differently? Why or why not?
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| President Roosevelt faced opposition from all sides of the political
spectrum. Some felt he was too conservative; others, too liberal. 1
Describe a his opposition and b their
objections to his policies. Then 2 discuss the effect of
their criticism on his policies. Finally, 3 identify a
the criticisms that led to the end of the New Deal and b
the critics who voiced them. In retrospect, 4 do you think
the President could have or should have reacted to the opposition differently? 5
Why or why not? |
Step 2: Once you've determined the information you need to
supply, then create an diagram or structure that enables you to organize the information
for your answer. Be sure to put all parts of the question in your "plan,"
so you don't forget to put it in your essay when you begin writing it.
The Opposition:
End of the New Deal
My opinion: President's reaction to critics
- Should have reacted differently
- Should not have reacted differently
Why or why not?
Step 3: Brainstorm the answers to the questions, filling in the charts and
providing the answers to the other questions.
The Opposition
| Who |
What |
Why |
Effect |
| Private utility companies; conservatives |
TVA and REA |
"Socialistic" -gov't-owned agencies shouldn't run
utility cos. |
Congress didn't approve other similar
projects |
| Minorities; liberals |
TVA |
Employment segregation; discrimination
in wages |
Pressure to do better in the future |
| Father Charles Coughlin |
New Deal |
Hadn't done enough for people;
wanted gua'td income, redistribution of wealth, antimonopoly laws; nat'l banks. |
FDR moved left: did more for
poor. Social Security Act. |
Step 4: When you've filled in all of the information you
can think of, you can organize it further by numbering sections in the order you wish to
discuss them or grouping them together. You can choose to include your strongest
examples and leave out those that are incomplete.
Step 5: Write your essay answer. In the first sentence rephrase the
question you've been asked as a statement that suggests the answer you'll be giving.
Then write it one paragraph at a time, one part of the information at a time.
You will probably need separate paragraphs for the major parts of the answer.
It will go far more quickly and smoothly than your answers go without planning, so you
will pick up the time you spent planning. Furthermore, your answers will be concise
and focused, enabling your professor to find easily and quickly the information required
in your answer.
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| Task #22 |
Write an essay answering the question that follows: President
Roosevelt faced opposition from all sides of the political spectrum. Some felt he
was too conservative; others, too liberal. Describe his opposition and their
objections to his policies. Then discuss the effect of their criticism on his
policies. Finally, identify the criticisms that led to the end of the New Deal and
the critics who voiced them. In retrospect, do you think the President could have or
should have reacted to the opposition differently? Why or why not?
To write your essay, use the information included in the table above and following the
instructions for writing an essay. Then e-mail me your answer. |