Read the question very carefully. Determine what the
writing task is and how you will organize your answer.
After you read the question, restate the question in the
form of a thesis. That way, you will frame your essay around
the demands of the assignment. Your thesis statement should
include three or four key points that will be discussed in the
essay. Do not copy the question word for word. Restate the
question in your own words as you create your thesis sentence.
Be patient; this skill takes a lot of practice.
Because of the imposed time constraint, do not create a
formal outline of your answer. However, do create a short
shopping list of ideas that relate to the key points stated in
your thesis.
Limit your focus. Do not say too much. General statements
without support are not good. Detail statements without
general statements are not good either. You must keep a
balance.
Remember it is not how much you say but rather how you say
it. The quality of your writing is more important than the
quantity of your writing. I recommend that you follow the five
paragraph essay format. That will show your readers that
you have strong organizational skills in your writing.