How to Write Essays Faster on Exams
If you’re in school, you probably have to take exams from time to time. They can be scary, especially if they require essay answers instead of multiple-choice or true/false questions. The problem is that essays take a lot more time to answer than other kinds of tests. To make matters worse, the clock is often a factor on exam days; if you run out of time and can’t finish an essay question, you get a failing grade for that section of the test. Fortunately, there are ways to write essays faster so you don’t have to stress about it so much. Here are some tips on how to write essays faster and have more time left over for other activities after your next test day.
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How to Write Essays Faster on Exams #1
Shorten Paragraphs if Needed
If you’re writing the type of essay that requires you to start with an introduction and then a body of multiple paragraphs, you might want to start by shortening the paragraphs if needed. If you have a lot of room for a paragraph, you might be tempted to write a really long paragraph with lots of examples and details. You should stick to one example per paragraph and not try to pack each paragraph out with details. You may run out of time and never get to the conclusion which may give you a low or failing grade. You might also speed up at the end of your essay and it will look rushed and bad in comparison to the start of your essay. It is better to only do one example per paragraph and finish the essay than to give your teacher a half-finished essay because you wanted to add more examples.
If you’re someone who writes better with shorter paragraphs, you can use this to your advantage when you’re trying to write essays faster. Shorter paragraphs mean that you can write more of them in less time. Not only will this allow you to write more in less time, but it will also make your essay easier to read. Having long paragraphs where you can’t easily see where one paragraph ends and another begins can make your essay confusing to read.
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How to Write Essays Faster on Exams #2
Only use one example per paragraph
Another tactic you can use to write essays faster is to try to use one example per paragraph. When you’re writing an essay, it can be tempting to throw in lots of examples to support your arguments. You might feel like you should add examples from your favorite book, a film, or other things that you read or saw to prove your point. However, if you try to use too many examples in one essay, it will slow you down. Not only will you have to spend time finding examples, but you’ll also have to take time to explain each example to your readers. If you try to use one example per paragraph, you’ll be able to write more in less time. You won’t have to spend as much time finding examples, and you’ll be able to spend more time explaining that example and linking it to your thesis statement.
How to Write Essays Faster on Exams #3
Make a quick outline
The more you practice essay writing, the easier it will become. However, it can be hard to get into the habit of writing faster if you don’t have a quick way of getting started with each essay. One way to quickly get started with essay preparation is to make an outline. . Making an outline will help you organize your thoughts so you don’t waste time trying to navigate your thoughts. It will also help you use your time efficiently by helping you know exactly what you need to write next. When you know what you need to write next, you can avoid getting stuck on a paragraph and wasting time.
How to Write Essays Faster on Exams #4
Have a structure to follow
If you’re writing a persuasive essay, use the rhetorical situation to your advantage by having a structure to follow. If you follow the rhetorical situation, you’ll be able to write your essay quickly by starting with the context and then building out from there to the thesis statement. When you’re writing the essay, you can simply follow the structure and know that you will have covered all of the necessary information.
One structure that I love to follow for body paragraphs in an essay is the TBEAR structure. It stands for Topic Sentence, background information, evidence, analysis, and return to the thesis. This structure will have you writing an essay fast and you will still have all the elements that you need. For a further breakdown of how to do this structure, you can click on the link below to become a subscriber and get your free guide to TBEAR.
Conclusion
These are some ways you can write essays faster so you don’t have to be stressed about finishing an exam. You will feel less anxious about the exam if you know that you have enough time to answer all of the essay questions. You can also reduce your stress level even more if you can get practice essays under your belt before the actual exam date. They will help you gain confidence, and you will be well-prepared to ace your exam. When you know what to expect, you can better prepare yourself to write essays faster and more efficiently. You’ll be able to use these tips to write a clear and concise essay that covers all of the necessary information.
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