To review an answer against its question, underline the question’s key words, then check that every paragraph has a clear focus, specific evidence, an explanation and a link back to those key words.
This lesson is part of SPM subjects and learning resources. It comes after planning a supported analytical paragraph.
What is the review checklist?
Use four points on each paragraph.
- Focus. Does the first sentence answer the question, not just mention the text?
- Evidence. Is there a specific detail?
- Explanation. Does a sentence say how the detail shows the point?
- Link. Does the last sentence use the question’s key words?
Worked example: an original answer reviewed
Reuse the original story of Valli, who sets a full pot of water at a neighbour’s gate in a dry month. Question: How does the writer show Valli’s kindness?
Original answer. “Valli lives in a village and walks every morning. She carries a pot on her head.
The village has a well. One day there was no rain and everyone was thirsty. Valli put a pot at the gate.”
Review.
| Checklist point | Finding |
|---|---|
| Focus | The first sentence describes the setting, not kindness. Fails. |
| Evidence | The pot at the gate appears, but only in the last sentence. Weak. |
| Explanation | No sentence says what the pot shows. Missing. |
| Link | The word kindness never appears. Missing. |
Rewrite. “The writer shows Valli’s kindness through her gift at the neighbour’s gate.
In the dry month she sets a full pot there, although the neighbour has never greeted her. This shows kindness that expects nothing back. Valli’s kindness is therefore quiet and unconditional.”
The rewrite has the same raw material but the question’s word appears in the first and last sentences.
The mistake to avoid
The usual error is to reread for spelling only. Spelling matters, but a perfectly spelt answer can still miss the question.
Check meaning first by reading the question, then each paragraph’s first sentence only. If they do not answer the question in order, the structure needs work.
Check yourself
Question: How does the poet show the man’s patience? Review this answer against the checklist:
The man sits by the river. The poet says he waits all day. Fish are in the river. It is a nice poem.
Answer
Focus: the first sentence does not answer the question. Evidence: “waits all day” is a usable detail but sits in the second sentence.
Explanation: missing, so nothing says what waiting shows. Link: the word patience never appears, and “a nice poem” is an opinion.
A rewrite: “The poet shows the man’s patience by describing how he waits all day by the river. Staying until evening shows he does not give up when nothing happens. This makes him patient and calm.”
What to study next
Practise reviewing with the original Tamil Literature practice set, and use the structured-answer self-review tool to run the four-point check. If you need to strengthen evidence first, return to choosing evidence for an interpretation.
Set texts and assessed requirements come from your school and the curriculum. For a teacher to review your written answers with you, see online one-to-one Tamil Literature tuition.