One of the biggest concerns for students planning to take the ENEM exam is the essay. To achieve a good grade, in addition to demonstrating mastery of formal writing, it is necessary to adapt your text to the proposed theme. To do this, you must read and interpret the essay prompt and the supporting texts very carefully. Want to know how to interpret the ENEM essay topic? Then keep reading!

Why is interpreting the essay topic important?

Topical relevance is one of the factors considered by examiners. In the ENEM exam, this counts. 200 points Understanding the writing prompt and applying concepts from various areas of knowledge to develop the theme. On the other hand, straying from the proposed theme may zero the grade. 

The thematic aspect is also considered when evaluating the text's coherence and the proposed intervention for the problem addressed, which should be presented at the end of the text. Therefore, interpreting the essay topic correctly is fundamental to ensuring good performance on the ENEM exam. Check out our tips. 

1. Read the writing prompt carefully.

All instructions for write the essay They are displayed in the question booklet, usually right after the questions on languages, codes, and their technologies. 

First, read the instructions for writing, which provide guidance on the type of pen to use, the maximum and minimum number of lines, the draft area, and situations that may invalidate the essay. Then, read the motivational texts, which are very important for understanding the topic. 

Finally, read carefully the writing prompt, The text is located at the bottom of the page. Pay attention to the thematic sentence, which usually addresses a current problem in Brazilian society. You should write your essay based on this sentence. 

2. Analyze the source texts.

The motivational texts for the ENEM exam aim to help candidates understand the essay topic. They can appear in various formats, such as comics, graphs, tables, and news articles. Read the motivational texts carefully and... underline the most important words, Find the connection between the different source texts. Consider addressing these words in your essay. 

It's important to remember that examiners give a zero grade to candidates who copy the provided texts in their entirety into their essays. You may use the information provided, as long as it is integrated with arguments of your own creation. 

3. Define your thesis on the topic.

After reading the essay prompt and the supporting texts, define your thesis statement on the topic. In the ENEM essay, the thesis statement should be your opinion on the subject, which can be presented through statements in the first paragraph of the text. After reflecting on your point of view on the topic, define which arguments you will use, always respecting human rights and cultural diversity.

How to train?

The best way to practice interpreting essay topics is to practice. Our tip is to use the prompts from previous editions of the exams. See below the topics from the last 5 years of the ENEM exam.  

• 2019: Democratization of access to cinema in Brazil
• 2018: Manipulation of user behavior through data control on the internet.
• 2017: Challenges for the educational development of deaf people in Brazil
• 2016: Ways to combat religious intolerance in Brazil
• 2015: The persistence of violence against women in Brazilian society

The ENEM exam papers are available for free download at INEP website. 
Now that you know how to interpret the ENEM essay topic, take advantage of the opportunity to download our free e-book with... 10 tips for writing a perfect essay.