Week 10 Seminar

Final session…Exam Prep 3

Practical exercises to prepare for the exam

Key information

The final exam date is May 26th 2015 0900-1200The exam will be held in the Goodwin Sports Hall

You will have to answer three questions, one from each section (Units 1-3, Units 4-6, Units 7-10)

Today’s session: Knowing how to achieve!

• Our expectations of your answer• Staying on topic• Planning your answer• Structuring your answer

Practical activities:1. Breaking down the question2. Making a plan3. Writing an introduction4. Structuring a paragraph5. Writing a conclusion

Expectations• Introduction

– Grasp of the question– Clear outline of scope of the essay

• Structure/Organization– Coherence– Development of logical argument– Arrangement of ideas

• Conclusion– Well-defined & recap of the important points made.– Summary of analysis

Expectations

• Use of relevant evidence– Its an exam – don’t panic.– Use of a couple of sources for a few statements if possible

• Critical analysis and originality– Creative approach imagination and flexibility of thought– Critical engagement

• Prose/Grammar/Spelling/Syntax– Clear and effective use of English

Outstanding answers also do this

1. Shows clear evidence of engagement with issues and understanding of relevant reading

2. Develops a sophisticated and robust argument

3. Shows excellent use and understanding of relevant source materials (factual detail and theoretical issues where necessary)

Recap: What is the question asking/narrowing your focus

• When making a plan, you may find it useful to underline the key words in the question, or to break down the main question into sub-questions.

For example:In the post-Occupation period, Japan has played an indirect role in contributing to security in East Asia through the US-Japan security treaty. What norms help to explain the policies adopted? Illustrate your answer with examples.

Stay on topic!Time period: Post- occupationPol/Sec/Econ: SecurityArea: East Asia

Subquestions:1. How has Japan played an indirect role in contributing to security in East Asia?2. What is the role of the US-Japan security treaty in this?3. What policies have been adopted?4. What norms can help explain these policies?5. What examples can I give?

Practical activity 1: Breaking down the question

Using your chosen question:1. Underline the key words or phrases2. Identify the narrow focus (e.g. time period,

politics/security/economy, geographical area etc)

3. Write down the sub-questions that you need to answer in order to fully address the question

Practical activity 1: Breaking down the question

Outcomes• Fully answering the question• Staying on topic• Narrowing focus• Starting to make a plan• Confidence!

You might not actually go through this process in writing in the exam, but these are things that you should think about.

Practical activity 2: Making a plan

Thinking about the previous activity:1.• Identify how you can answer the subquestions• Identify your key arguments/points• What examples (and sources) can you use?

2. Make a mini-plan which puts these in order

Practical activity 2: Making a plan

Outcomes:• Getting your ideas out of your head and onto the paper• Knowing how you will proceed with answering the

question• Having a better idea of structure• Developing a logical argument

Not everyone uses a plan in the exam, it is up to you whether to do so. Remember to cross it through once you are finished!

Practical activity 3: Writing an introduction

Write a short introduction, including the following:1. Show that you understand the question (e.g.

paraphrase it)2. Give us some sense of why the question is

important (this could be a brief description of context)

3. Outline briefly how you will proceed with answering the question

Practical activity 3: Writing an introduction

Outcomes:• Awareness of what we’re looking for in an

introduction• Showing us that you understand the question• Guiding us to what to expect from you answer

All exam questions should have a short introduction. However, don’t spend too long on it, 5 minutes is more than enough

Practical activity 4: structuring a paragraph

Pick one of your arguments and construct a main body paragraph including the following:1. Make one or two points (and/or subpoints)2. Give evidence/examples3. Summarise to show how it answers the

question

Practical activity 4: constructing a main body paragraph

Outcomes:• Keeping your argument clear and concise• Showing use of evidence• Showing critical engagement• Developing a logical argument• Being on topic/answering the question

Don’t let paragraphs get too long or contain too many points, and keep them relevant to the question

Practical activity 5: Conclusion

Write a short conclusion. This should:1. Summarise your key arguments2. Show that you answered the question

Outcomes:• Demonstrating that you answered the question• Concluding your answer neatly

Be careful not to introduce new information in your conclusion –this is better explored in the main body of your essayDon’t worry to much if you don’t have time to write a conclusion, even a couple of sentences will suffice.

Practical activity 5: Conclusion

Good luck!