When responding to a long-answer question, you may wonder, "is my answer long enough?" These questions are often called extended response, constructed response, or essay questions, and they require more than just length.
They are designed to test your ability to think critically, organize and apply concepts in new ways, and communicate clearly. Whether you're writing an essay, solving a multistep problem, or analyzing a scenario, these strategies will help you to develop a well-structured and thoughtful response.
1. Read the question carefully
Read long answer questions carefully to ensure that you don't miss important information in your response. The question may be framed broadly (e.g. "discuss", "analyze"), narrowly (e.g. "compare and contrast"), or as a multistep problem requiring several formulas. Highlight or underline key terms and instructions to guide your answer.
2. Plan how you will respond to the question
Plan and structure your answer to ensure you are taking a logical approach to the question. A focused answer is easier to follow than one that goes on a tangent or is unstructured. Take time to draft an outline or sketch a quick concept map to help you think through the structure of your answer.
3. Make connections
Long answer questions are meant to evaluate your critical thinking on connecting related themes and concepts to respond to the question.
Explain and clarify the connections you make and their relevance to the question.
4. Justify your answer
Be sure you explain the "so what" (significance) and the "now what" (implication) behind your response. To do this effectively, you'll need to:
- Apply course concepts
- Use relevant examples
- Explain connections to support your answer
5. Answer the question
Clearly state your conclusion in response to the question. In essay format, this may be a thesis statement; in problem-solving, a final sentence summarizing your result. This helps to clarify your reasoning and ensures your answer is easy to identify.
A good long answer isn't just about length. Be sure you've explained, evaluated, and applied course concepts to get full marks. If you need help practicing these strategies, book a meeting with a Peer Success Coach!