Understanding The Question

Understanding the essay question is the most important first step in writing
a good essay. The tasks outlined in this section are designed to help you
understand the question better. Complete the tasks outlined below:
STEP ONE
In the space below, write down your essay question:
Now, write down any words or phrases that you don’t fully understand.
Use Google or a dictionary to find the definition of the words you don’t fully
understand and write them down in the section underneath. Try searching with the

Understanding The Question
STEP ONE
Now, re-write the essay question in a way that you can easily understand it. Try
to replace complex words or phrases with words that you understand.
In the space below, write down an explanation of the question in your own words.

Start your explanation with the sentence starter “In this essay, I will write about…”
Top Tip
Look back at the explanation you have made above as you are writing your
essay. This will help you to stay on track and answer the question.

Step 2

Understanding The Task

The following tasks are designed to help you gain a thorough understanding
of the task you have been assigned so that you can complete it effectively.
STEP TWO
A rubric or a grading criterion is what markers use to give you a grade on your
work. Take some time to look at the grading criteria for your essay and identify
which grade you hope to realistically achieve. Write down your goal grade in the space below.

Now, look at the requirements for achieving that mark. What do you need to do in your essay to make sure you get the grade you want? Create a list in the space below.

Top Tip
Look back at this list when you have finished writing your essay.
Have you hit all of the marks to get the grade you want?