Approaches To An Essay Question And A Problem Question: Differences And Discussion

What is the difference between approaches to an essay question and a problem question? Discuss

Approaches to an Essay Question

There are several types of approaches and technique to prepare an essay. Each approach should be used effectively to prepare the relative essay question. There are several essay questions which could be used to define the essay question and approaches.

An essay question inspects the understanding of the reader or a student on the topic being given. In order to differentiate and assess whether it is an essay or a problem question, the following point must be kept in mind while reading the question.

• There are certain keywords that needs to be identified
• There are procedure related words which suggests that the given question is an essay question such as
  • Discuss
  • Discuss
  • Explain
  • Compare
  • Contrast

• To do a factual recall of the content
• To analyze the essay or the explanation of the relationship being framed
• To synthesize the principles and the application
• To share the opinion regarding the essay and what in particular the essay meant to deliver

The following chart provides the 4 major types of essay questions. The table also shares the respective verb or cues to the question and the strategy to use in order to answer the question

Essay questions, therefore, helps the individual in gaining an insight into the topic and to gain a better understanding of the subject. While reading various topics, the reader learns the art of expressing new ideas in varying ways which in turn enhances confidence. The essay writing also helps develops communication skills and writing skills. No new research is required in the essay question, it requires the solution to the already given essay

In the context of law, problem questions are made to examine the legal principles on the given topics. These problem questions are the basis of preparing the essay and describing the essay.

In the research context the problem statement refers to the statement regarding the area of concern or a gap study. It refers to the current situation or a condition that demands improvement. With the help of a problem statement  the already existing scholarly literature was studied in order to trace the difficulty and bring about a solution to the problem through investigation either through primary and real time data or through the existing resources called secondary data

1. To let the reader understand, infer the idea behind the whole research being conducted.
2. To understand the significance of the study being conducted.
3. To restrict the area of the study.
4. To define the parameters within which the data are to be studied.
5. To provide a framework within which the results are to be reported.

1. Casuist Reseach: The process of the determination of the right and wrong. The general rules are applied to analyze the dilemma in order to understand the right and wrong of the questions of conduct.
2. Difference Research: when there are two or more than two factors or phenomenon in the study which needs to be contrasted and compared, in such scenario the question is phrased asking, “is there a difference between the two…?”, “Compare the two factors…”.
3. Descriptive Research: this problem question is asked in order to describe the current situation, or a condition without trying to make any changes or giving opinions.
4. Relational Research: this type of problem question focuses on identifying and suggesting the relationship between two or more than two factors or variables in the study to be investigated.

In order to understand the problem question from the legal perspective and point of view, there are certain key factors that need to be taken care of. The problem statement in law is used to advise the defined parties in the opposition. However, there are certain approaches to write an answer to the problem statement/question. The strategy involves the mnemonic IRAC

Identify: To identify the issues raised by the problem in legal matters.
Rule: To define the legal rules and principles in order to explain them in accordance to previous cases. Apply: the application of the suggested and justified rules and principles in the question.
Conclusion: during conclusion a summary of the advice is given to the parties involved in legal matters

An essay question tests the individual if they have gained an insight into the subject matter by testing the understanding depth. In order to do this, the main tool is to test how the individual expresses his ideas.  It helps in increasing the divergent thinking and strengthen the coherent research on the particular topic. The approach behind the essay questions is to bring to surface the innovative and new ideas and understanding of an old concept. This also helps improve communication as well as writing skills. It could be inferred that each and every person should strengthen their writing and essays skills. It will not only improve the essay effective but also make easy for the readers to understand the information depicted in the essay. The approach to the essay question lies in the in depth understanding of the subject matter and topic being studied and the application of the knowledge and principles in providing the solutions. Additionally, it is imperative to divide the time applied judicially to all the questions pertaining to the essay rather than spending the entire time on one (Christine, 2017). This will not only strengthen the research effectiveness in essay but also helps readers to understand deep knowledge in the undertaken research.

Conversely, the problem question is a fact based question, which are dealt with scholarly research and data collection. In order to understand the problem the research needs to be conducted either through primary or secondary data. The problem question is defined after the reading the existing  scholarly articles and gap identification and solution is also gained after analyzing the articles. In terms of the legal problem question, the practitioners or the students are required to study and apply the specific law area to the scenario  

In order to respond the problem question the response must be logical, and structured in a proper manner, it has to be accurate, clear and wide-ranging. Each issue cropped up must be dealt systematically. There should be proper divergent and coherent thinking which could be used by researcher to strengthen the effectiveness of the essay.

Conclusion 

After evaluating all the core information and details on the essay, it could be inferred that an essay question tests the individual if they have gained an insight into the subject matter by testing the understanding depth. However, each and every approach has its own use and should be effectively use while formulating the essay structure.

References

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Whiston J, An Essay (To Revive The Primitive Doctrine And Practice Of Infant-Baptism In The Resolution Of Four Questions 2018).

The Definition Of Essay' (www.dictionary.com, 2018) <https://www.dictionary.com/browse/essay> accessed 13 November 2018

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