DIE it! : a framework to create an introduction paragraph for any short response questions

I like to use the D.I.E acronym with my students as a way for them to produce an effective starting paragraph for any short answer response:  The acronym is Define term(s), state its Importance, provide an Example

Students can use the acronym for any topic of course: for example, if students have a question on HSC Business Studies topic ‘Marketing’, she/he can use the acronym to build a good starting paragraph for a short response question as follows....

 

· Define the terms - in this case 'marketing'

· Importance – say why marketing is important (e.g. marketing helps the business to achieve business objectives of increased market share

· Example – give an example where any aspect of marketing helps the business – e.g. a successful promotion strategy that leads to increased market share

Putting this together gives us the following introduction that would be suitable for any question on marketing....

(define) "Marketing is defined as a total system of interacting activities designed to plan, price, promote and distribute products to present and potential customers.

(importance) Marketing is important because it helps the business to achieve (SMART) objectives. (example) For example, the marketing department may run a successful promotion campaign that helps the business to achieve its objective of increasing market share by 5% in the next year.