Plan an Exam Essay in Five Minutes

A five-minute plan saves you from a rambling answer. Here is a simple structure.

Minute 1: Understand the question

Underline the command word (discuss, explain, compare) and the key topic.

Minutes 2–3: List your points

Jot down three or four main points, each with one example or quotation.

Minute 4: Order them

Put your strongest point first or last. Group similar ideas together.

Minute 5: Write your thesis

One sentence that answers the question directly. Your introduction builds on it.

The structure

• Introduction: your thesis plus a brief outline
• Body paragraphs: one point each — Point, Evidence, Explain
• Conclusion: answer the question again in fresh words

Try it: take a past exam question and plan it in five minutes with a timer.