Writing an essay

(Analytical methods)
Dr David Cassidy
Mrs Avril Wayte
RCPath Examiners
 Session plan
• Brief introduction to the subject

• Workshop

• Q and A session
 Important points
• Read ALL the questions and decide which
ones you are going to answer and in which
order
• You must always answer the number of
questions indicated or you will
automatically lose marks
• If any question has more than one part,
ensure that you answer each part
• Stick to time
 Important points 2
• Before putting pen to paper:
• Re-read the question carefully, reading every
word
• Understand exactly what the question wants you
to do e.g.
• Compare and contrast
• Describe
• Discuss
• Critically evaluate
• Clear handwriting
 Important points 3
• Essay structure
– Introduction
– Body
– conclusion
• Answer the exact question, do not just give all
you know on the subject
• Where possible include your own experience of
using the methods
• Get the emphasis right
• Make the examiner’s life easy!