Course Description

Below are some tips on how to make your essays better and help ensure a higher grade. Many of the recommendations may seem simple and frivolous but I assure you that they are the most common mistakes students make. If at anytime you have a question about anything listed below, feel free to contact Dr. Reynolds at brad.reynolds@canyons.edu or breynolds@csun.edu. And feel free to submit an essay outline to Dr. Reynolds for review prior to your exam so he can tell you if you are on the right track. You should take advantage of this offer! It not only will make you prepare your essay(s) a bit earlier, it will help you focus on making your essay(s) an A! But note that if you decide to take advantage of this offer you must submit your essay(s) at least 48 hours prior to the test date! Now, here are some things to help you get a better essay exam greade:

1. Make sure you answer all the parts of the question you select. Most essay questions have multiple parts. Make sure you answer them all or you are not likley to get better than a C on your essay.

2. Use full sentences and paragraghs when writing your essays. Do not write in outline form.

3. Follow the directions on the top of the page on which your essays are listed. So if you are told to write with ink, write your essays in ink and not pencil. And if you are told to use a small blue book, do not use a big blue book.

4. Always define terms. Do not assume th reader knows what your definition is of key word. So if you use a term like Manifest Destiny or Cold War then say what it means.

5. Explain who the people are that you mention in your essay. In other words, say why the person is important enough to mention or what is the person's significance to your essay.

6. Use as much analysis and explanation as you can for each point you raise. Always ask yourself why you are making your point and write that down in your essay.

7. Make sure you are germain in your response. in other words, stick to your question and avoid broad generalizations.

8. Do not waste time writing an outline in your blue book once you see the question. More often than not you will be under a severe time restraint to get your essay completed so know what you want to write ahead of time and start writing when you get the exam.

9. Watch your tenses, spelling, grammar and organization. You are not taking an Englih class with Dr. Reynolds but it should make sense to you that if you have cronic writing problems in your essay or if your essay is disorrganized it will not read well and it will get a lower grade.

10. Use a person's full name when you mention that person the first time in the essay.

11. It is OK to abbreviate but make sure it is a common abbreviation (like U.S.) or make sure you tell the reader what your abbreviation means the first time you use it.

12. If you are taking an online class, it is not OK to use quotes in your essay. And make sure you put all information form your text into your own words.

13. Use only the text(s) assigned for your class to answer you essays.

14. Don't worry about a thesis statement in your opening paragragh and don't waste time writing the question. If the reader can't figure out what question you selected from your answer then you will not get a good grade anyway.

15. Do not use "etc." in your essay and don't say you think something is such and such. Be positive and state facts or don't mention it. Your grade will likely be afected more negatively by your saying something wronf thanby your leaving something out.

16. Be as specific with dates as you can. If you not sure of a date it is better not to guess at it and have a wrong answer. And speaking dates, make sure the things you mention are in the correct sequence.

17. Keep your essay organized. If there are several parts ot your question, answer then in order. Or if you question involves a time sequence, follow it.

18. Avoid repetition. When you repeat something, even in a summation, it often looks like padding. So state your point and move on.

19. When you finish your essay spend time reading it over. If it seems to flow well than it probably is well written.

20. Don't guess at information. It is better to omit something to to write wrong information.

21. Be careful and don't include in your response information that should be in a different essay unless it is also specifically germain to your essay. Stick to your question and only answer it, not another question.

22. Don't waste time giving background to your questions. Get to the questions and answer only what is asked.

23. Read the directions on your test carefully and follow them exactly!

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