Writing answers to ID questions is easier for students as well, since defining a term is mostly a matter of recalling and writing down facts. But ID questions can be challenging even for students who are well-prepared if they don't know how they work.
The Common Parts of Good Answers to ID Questions
Terms that you may need to know for a literature exam can vary widely. But all will have been covered in some depth in your textbook and/or lectures, relate to (or be) an example in the course material, and have significance to the broader themes of the course. As a result, any good response will have these three parts, which answer the following questions:
- Definition: What is the term? Is it a character, title, artistic movement, event, or quotation? Where does it come from?
- Example: What is an example of this term from the course materials? If it is a specific thing, what is it an example of?
- Significance: Why is this term important with respect to the course? How does it relate to other terms, ideas, works, etc.?
If you know that an upcoming test will ask you to identify terms, the first step to success is to study effectively. That means more than just memorizing the facts – you should also be able to anticipate what kinds of terms are likely to appear.
For literature exams, you may have to identify a character, term of literary criticism, artistic period, or important quotation. Go through these in your notes, and if they have the three parts listed above, they are fair game.
You may also find that good possible terms come in pairs or groups. For instance, an exam on Shakespeare might have you define either iambic pentameter or blank verse, but a good definition of one will naturally mention the other. Terms that are interrelated are easier to remember and study for, in addition to being more likely to end up on a test.