IF YOU WANT TO:
Being very specific in the questions you ask.
"As beginning essay writers, undergraduates need focused test questions," one history teacher explains. Problem oriented exams can elicit more meaningful responses than broad, vaguely worded questions. For example, it is difficult for a student to respond to a question like, "Discuss the implications of the Monroe Doctrine." Students have no sense of boundaries or when they have completed the topic. On the other hand, a question such as, "Illustrate how the Monroe Doctrine might be involved in a Russian-American incident," is likely to generate good responses from students.
The TIES office (2-6392) has available a composition resource guide in which there are tips on writing good essay questions.
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