How to ‘Answer the Question’
One of the most common pieces of feedback teachers give on assessments are “Answer the question” or “Unpack the key words.”
But theres a big problem: What does it mean!!
You might read the question, know the text well, and still struggle to make your essay feel like it’s actually addressing what’s being asked. Or you might panic, and just chuck in your essay and pretend the question doesn’t exist.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to do it, with a real example from Macbeth. By the end, you’ll know how to break a question apart, plan strong paragraphs, and write a thesis that ticks every box.
Lets get started!
Step 1: Identify the Key Words in the Question
The very first thing you should do when you get a question is highlight or underline the most important words. There are usually two types of key words:
The NESA directive term
This is the “action word” in the question. Examples are assess, explain, to what extent, evaluate, discuss, and analyse.
Each one tells you how to answer.
Assess means you weigh up both sides and come to a judgement.
Explain means you focus more on describing and showing understanding.
To what extent or evaluate means you need to make a judgement about how true the statement is, and back it up with evidence.
The content words
These tell you the topic you’re writing about.
Sometimes they are broad and need to be made more specific. For example, if the question says human experience, you could narrow it to “the tension between individual and collective experiences” or “the human experience of hysteria.”
Why this matters: If you don’t understand the directive term, your essay will go off-track. If you don’t specify the content words, your essay will feel vague and generic.
For example, for the question: “To what extent does Macbeth’s ambition entirely drive his downfall?” Here’s the thought process.
To what extent — I must make a judgement. Was it all ambition, or partly ambition plus other factors? (hint its normally not black and white, try to agree with part of the question but introduce something else to make a sophisticated argument)
Macbeth’s ambition — I need to show what his ambition looks like in the play. Can use an adjective to qualify it, like ‘ruthless ambition’ and the essay needs to address what his ambition is exactly (ie to be king, and then to maintain his kingship)
Downfall — I should define this clearly. In Macbeth’s case, it’s his death, moral collapse, and psychological decline. I can also call it a “tragic downfall” to show I understand Shakespearean tragedy (which markers will love).
Step 2: Plan 3 Body Paragraphs
Once you understand the question, think of three different but connected points you can make about it. Each one should form the basis of a body paragraph.
Make sure each paragraph relates directly to the question.
Try to arrange them in a logical order, so your argument builds as you go.
Avoid repeating the same idea in different words.
Think of it like building a staircase — each paragraph is a step that takes the reader closer to your final argument.
For example: for the same Macbeth question
Based on the question (and my knowledge of the text), I’ll write on three different causes of Macbeth’s psychological decline and loss of kingship.
Paragraph 1: Manipulation (by Lady Macbeth) which spurs on his ambition into killing Duncan (and later Banquo)
Paragraph 2: The supernatural – Macbeth’s trust in the witches’ false prophecy’s led to him feeling immortal, which ultimately allowed Macduff to slay him.
Paragraph 3: Macbeths overall ambition – his unwillingness to stop killing due to his fear of losing his kingship which made him go crazy.
Step 3: Find Your Overarching Idea (Thesis)
When you’ve decided on your three paragraphs, ask yourself: What’s the big idea that links these points together?
That “big idea” becomes your thesis statement — the sentence (or two) in your introduction that sums up your whole argument.
A good thesis:
Answers every part of the question.
Shows your judgement.
Gives a clear sense of where your essay is going.
For example: Looking at all the planned paragraphs, I can tell that whilst Macbeth was partially influenced by other external factors (his wife and the witches), it was ultimately his own ambition that led him to believe and act on their manipulations.
Step 4: Show Cause and Effect
This is where a lot of essays fall flat. A statement like “Macbeth’s ambition caused his downfall” is fine, but it’s not an argument — it’s just telling the reader what happened.
Instead, you want to show how one thing leads to another. This is called cause and effect.
Weak thesis: “Macbeth’s pride and the witches cause his downfall.”
Strong thesis: “The witches’ manipulations fuel Macbeth’s sense of invulnerability, which ultimately leads to his tragic downfall.”
Notice how the strong thesis actually explains the link between the witches and his downfall. It’s more persuasive and shows deeper thinking.
Step 5: Make It Arguable
Your thesis should be something a person could disagree with — that’s what makes it worth debating in an essay.
For example:
Final thesis: “While Macbeth is partially influenced by the supernatural and manipulation, it is ultimately his own ruthless ambition that occasions his downfall.”
This works because:
It answers every part of the question (to what extent, Macbeth’s ambition, downfall).
It’s nuanced — it acknowledges other factors but clearly makes a call.
It shows a sophisticated understanding of the character and text.
Putting It All Together
When you sit down to write your next essay, follow this checklist:
Highlight the directive term — know exactly what the question is asking you to do.
Specify the content words — narrow broad terms so your essay has focus.
Plan three clear, distinct paragraphs — each one a new angle on the question.
Work out your thesis — the big idea that links your paragraphs.
Add cause and effect — show how ideas lead to each other.
Make it arguable — a good thesis invites discussion, not agreement by default.
By doing this, your essay will do more than just “answer the question” — it will prove your argument in a clear, convincing way.