Analyzing Approaches: Essay Questions Compared to Problem Questions

This essay provides a detailed analysis of the differences between approaching essay questions and problem questions, particularly within a legal context. It begins by outlining the key characteristics of essay questions, including their purpose in assessing a student's understanding of a topic, ability to analyze relationships, synthesize principles, and express opinions. The essay identifies keywords and question types, offering strategies for effective responses. Conversely, it defines problem questions as tools for examining legal principles, requiring a structured approach like the IRAC method (Identify, Rule, Apply, Conclude). The essay highlights that while essay questions test understanding and divergent thinking, problem questions are fact-based and require scholarly research and data collection. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinct approaches for effectively addressing each type of question, enhancing both writing and analytical skills. Desklib provides more resources like this to aid students in their studies.

The Difference Between Approaches to An Essay Question and A Problem Question
Student’s Name
11/12/2018

Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Approaches to an essay question................................................................................................................3
Essay Question Identification..................................................................................................................3
Purpose of an essay question..................................................................................................................3
The Problem question.................................................................................................................................5
A research problem.................................................................................................................................5
Purpose of a problem statement.............................................................................................................5
General conceptualizations of a research problem.................................................................................6
To deal with the Problem Question.........................................................................................................6
The Difference.............................................................................................................................................7
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................7
Referencing.................................................................................................................................................8

Introduction
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.
Approaches to an essay question
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 question1.
Essay Question Identification
 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
o Discuss
o Discuss
o Explain
1 Exceptional Reserach Should Have No Limits.' (2015) 93 Chemical & Engineering News Archive.

o Compare
o Contrast
Purpose of an essay question
 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 2
 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 question3
Essay question Verbs/Cues Strategy
1. Factual Recall
 Name and facts and
identification
 List the details of the facts
and issues
 Describe the issues in
detail with facts
 Outline the facts
 Summarize the essay
using facts and theories
 Restate the statement and
facts
 Summarize the solution
2. Relationship
analysis and
explanation
 Explain the main ideas
 Discuss the supporting
issues/points
 Detailed explanation of the
relationship
 No opinion is to be
expressed, only facts need
to be mentioned using
already learned principles.
 Use of critical analysis
 Use of comparison and
2 Robert N Beck and John Berk Orr, Ethical Choice (Free Press 1970).
3 Peter Redman, Good Essay Writing (3rd edn, SAGE Publications in association with the Open
University 2011).

contrast between the
factors in order to identify
the relationship
3. Application of
the learned
principle and
theories
 Analyze the current
situation, evaluate
 Illustrate and justify the
principles
 The reader or a student
needs to transfer the
learned principle to
another example or
situation in the essay
4. Opinion  In your Opinion
 What do you suggest or
believe?
 Stating the opinion
 Justification of the opinion
 Information reference to
prove the justification and
statement
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 4
The Problem question
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.
A research problem
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
4 Joseph Whiston, An Essay To Revive The Primitive Doctrine And Practice Of Infant-Baptism In The
Resolution Of Four Questions.

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 data5
Purpose of a problem statement
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.
General conceptualizations of a research problem
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.
To deal with the Problem Question
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
5 T. R Malthus, An Essay On The Principle Of Population (Electric Book Co 2013).

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 IRAC6
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
matters7
The Difference
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
6 'The Definition Of Essay' (www.dictionary.com, 2018) <https://www.dictionary.com/browse/essay>
accessed 13 November 2018.
7 'Learn What Is Included In An Essay And How To Write One' (ThoughtCo, 2018)
<https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-an-essay-p2-1856929> accessed 13 November 2018.

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 8
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.
8 F. H Bradley, Appearance And Reality (Taylor and Francis 2016).

Referencing
Redman P, Good Essay Writing (3rd edn, SAGE Publications in association with the Open University
2011)
Exceptional Reserach Should Have No Limits.' (2015) 93 Chemical & Engineering News Archive
Beck RJ Orr, Ethical Choice (Free Press 1970)
'Learn What Is Included In An Essay And How To Write One' (ThoughtCo, 2018)
<https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-an-essay-p2-1856929> accessed 13 November 2018
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
Bradley F, Appearance And Reality (Taylor and Francis 2016)
Malthus T, An Essay On The Principle Of Population (Electric Book Co 2013)
Redman P, Good Essay Writing (3rd edn, SAGE Publications in association with the Open University
2011)