Essay1530
1 1530.6 ROCK AND POPULAR MUSIC MUSIC EXAMS--FALL TERM 2010 Matt Vanderwoude
SOME FOLLOW-UP WRITING TIPS FOR THE EXAM ESSAY QUESTION [Please Note: Any examples that appear here are made up. They are not taken directly from any actual student answers.]
1.0 READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE QUESTION a) Read the question very carefully, analyze it, and break it down into its component parts (i.e., its main topics and subtopics). Then ask yourself, “What, exactly, is this question asking me to do? What are all the things I need to address or take care of in my answer?” b) Pay special attention to the scope and/or focus of the question. This may include such details as, for example, the overall setting or place, the time frame, special keywords, names (of people, places, things, events), requests for specific types of examples to include, etc. c) Also pay special attention to the words (imperative verbs) that are used in the question to give you instructions (e.g., explain, discuss, describe, examine, etc.). d) Look for any hints or clues or specific details as to what a good answer will include. e) Highlight or underline the most important words in the question. Better yet, make a quick outline of the question. You can then use this question outline as a basis for an outline for your answer.
Here is the question again:
Write a short essay on the historical developments which led to the creation of the music industry in the United States at the turn of the Twentieth Century. Your answer will survey pertinent legal, technological and demographic considerations, and will discuss the structure of the music industry as it was configured during that time. Secondly, discuss the Centre/Periphery Model (see WebCT attachment) with respect to how the industry altered the stylistic character of American folk music (country music or blues-TBA). A superior answer will reference Seeger and Adorno (Reading Kit Articles 1 and 2), and will provide detailed comparisons of a least
SOME FOLLOW-UP WRITING TIPS FOR THE EXAM ESSAY QUESTION [Please Note: Any examples that appear here are made up. They are not taken directly from any actual student answers.]
1.0 READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE QUESTION a) Read the question very carefully, analyze it, and break it down into its component parts (i.e., its main topics and subtopics). Then ask yourself, “What, exactly, is this question asking me to do? What are all the things I need to address or take care of in my answer?” b) Pay special attention to the scope and/or focus of the question. This may include such details as, for example, the overall setting or place, the time frame, special keywords, names (of people, places, things, events), requests for specific types of examples to include, etc. c) Also pay special attention to the words (imperative verbs) that are used in the question to give you instructions (e.g., explain, discuss, describe, examine, etc.). d) Look for any hints or clues or specific details as to what a good answer will include. e) Highlight or underline the most important words in the question. Better yet, make a quick outline of the question. You can then use this question outline as a basis for an outline for your answer.
Here is the question again:
Write a short essay on the historical developments which led to the creation of the music industry in the United States at the turn of the Twentieth Century. Your answer will survey pertinent legal, technological and demographic considerations, and will discuss the structure of the music industry as it was configured during that time. Secondly, discuss the Centre/Periphery Model (see WebCT attachment) with respect to how the industry altered the stylistic character of American folk music (country music or blues-TBA). A superior answer will reference Seeger and Adorno (Reading Kit Articles 1 and 2), and will provide detailed comparisons of a least