Journalist and biographer Gene Fowler noted that "writing is easy; all you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead "Essay writing is rarely that tortuous. But it is important to recognize that in order to do it well, you must commit yourself to a process. | UNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNED TOPIC Describe the chemical nature of genes. Discuss the replicative process of DNA in eukaryotic organisms. Be sure to include the various types of gene mutations that can occur during replication. To help make the assignment even more manageable break down the two parts topic and direction words into a simple chart SUBJECT DIRECTIONS 1. the chemical nature of genes describe 2. the replicative process of DNA in eukaryotic organisms discuss 3. the various types of gene mutations that can occur during replication include To completely fulfill the assignment you must cover all three of these subjects in the manner in which the assignment dictates. When the Assignment Is a Question In some assignments you are given questions instead of direction words. Here s an example What were the issues successes and failures of the Civil Rights movement from the 1960s through the 1970s Notice that there are no direction words. For this type of essay prompt you will need to determine the word or words yourself. Reread the question paying careful attention to each word. Notice it begins with What were. This is a good clue that you should identify the issues successes and failures. Translating questions into directions can be tricky but it s a critical step in understanding the prompt. You need to determine exactly how you re supposed to respond to the subject. The following chart lists common question words and corresponding direction words. QUESTION WORDS WHAT THEY USUALLY MEAN What is are . define or identify What caused . . . identify or explain How are does . explain or evaluate How is X like . compare How is X different . contrast In what way . . . illustrate Do you agree argue Why is does . . . explain What do you think of X evaluate 27 UNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNED TOPIC Practice 1 Read the essay topics carefully. Use the subject and directions columns in the tables provided to break them down into parts. Note You may not need to fill each table. 1. .
