Students may be curious as to the format of questions for a short-answer/essay test. What follows are two examples, meant to suggest the general kind of question you could encounter. Actual questions may be somewhat more or less specific; on occasion, I will quote a passage from a reading and ask that you speak directly to it. I may also drop some key concepts or terms into a question and expect you to use them.
In terms of evaluation, I look for persuasive responses rather than "correct" answers. You should be prepared to make an argument, show your familiarity with details from the readings and your ability to think about the main concepts. Short-answer/essay questions do not call for you to simply return information from the lectures; I would give a multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank test if I were interested in that. You will need to articulate your own reasoned opinion (or, if you prefer, make an argument). While I am somewhat tolerant when it comes to mechanical/grammatical issues on tests, you should have something strong to say (content) and express it effectively (organization).
| Sample 1: Consider
the various ways in which corn appears (directly or indirectly) in the Popol Vuh.
Choose two or three specific moments which you see as related, then describe each in the
context of the book and explain its significance. The best answer will probably include
very concise paraphrases or supporting quotation from the text. |
| Sample 2: Both
Quetzalcoatl and the Popol Vuh include creation myths, narrating the
circumstances and suggesting the purposes in the creation of the world and humans.
Describe the two versions concisely and then address the most significant relationships by
comparing and contrasting them. The best answer will almost certainly include
carefully selected quotation from the two texts. |